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Literally...
I’ve just booked a last minute 2 night deal in Rome for the GF and I, leave tomorrow back Monday night. For reasons I won’t go into right now, it’s too of her bucket list and it’s our anniversary tomorrow too, so...
Conplete lack of planning on my part, but what to do? We’re staying very close to the Vatican City so I was expecting to have a wander round there, go see the colosseum etc. But other than eat good food and drink nice wine, what else to get up to for 2 days in Rome?
It can be as cliched and Touristy as you like, this weekend is all about her to be fair!
Go up the lift at the back of the tomb to Vittorio Emmanuele ll ( the big white wedding cake looking building)-fantastic view of the city. The Forum is next to it and the Colosseum 5 min walk down Via Fori Imperiali.
Within a 10 min walk of the tomb is the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. It will take longer because there is so much to see on the way!
If you are near Vatican City and want to inside St Peters go early-its gets reet busy. You can queue to see Vatican museums (Sistine Chapel) or you can climb up to the top of the dome (inside)-the views are amazing.
Have a great trip.
Book on to one of the Freewalking tours, you pay what you think it was worth at the end. We gave 20 euros for two of us. Cheaper than the other tours and you find some real gems. Our guide was a student, so they showed us some really cheap but great places to eat.
https://www.romefreewalkingtour.com
Hire a trike in the gardens (I forget their name). Do it at the end of the day and watch the sun go down over the city.
And get to Vatican City / Colleseum early to avoid big queues.
Edit - Villa Borghese. And you need to take your passport for security too 😉
It'll be no problem; its more picking what not to do... Rome is great for wandering around as its not that big. just get a tourist map and stroll about ticking off the usual suspects: trevi, pantheon, colosseum (good to book in advance online) etc
Evening/afternoon in Trastevere I'd do as lots of restaurants. We enjoyed view from top of Castel Sant Angelo too. As a slightly different suggestion id say San Clemente al Laterano : a church on top of church on top of a church
Just walk. Forum, Palatine, Colosseum, Pantheon etc... Just walk.
If it's top of her bucket list she may have some very fixed ideas of what she wants to do
Would recommend making use of the underground to get round quickly. 2days isn't long when there is so much to see there. Whatever you see in the day, try and also visit at night-time too as it looks spectacular lit up.
Where abouts are you planning on proposing to her?
The underground is barely worth bothering with - we used it once in two days. It’s nothing like London, just a couple of lines that only really serve people that live and work there. Much more interesting to get an open top bus.
The underground is barely worth bothering with – we used it once in two days.
Agreed
Much more interesting to get an open top bus.
Reminds me, what is it with the tourist bus salespeople being on segways??? They're everywhere!
More importantly gelato: Gelateria Sweet Life...just west of Piazza Navona got our vote
Just walk. Forum, Palatine, Colosseum, Pantheon etc… Just walk.
This. Rome is awesome, easily my favourite city. I can give you the name of a fantastic local restaurant but it's a fair way out of the city centre.
We did three walking tours; the Collosseum, lead by one of the curators, Palatine Hill, lead by a History professor and hidden Rome, lead by the same professor. All were excellent. The Vatican tour, lead by some random but organised by the same company was terrible; rushed and he mumbled.
Unless you’re a committed Christian of the catholic persuasion, or want to see lots of expensive artwork, i’d give The Vatican a miss. Been to Rome twice, saw St Peter’s basilica on the first trip & the Vatican Museums on the second trip, both left me feeling somewhat “see how big our bling is”.
The Pantheon, though, amazes me. Ok it’s a Christian church now, but look at the architecture and then remind yourself that it’s 2000 years old. Stunning.
and then of course there’s the rest of Ancient Rome. And the Trevi fountain, if you can get anywhere near it. And the Spanish Steps. And...
the Colosseum left me a bit ‘meh, seen one you’ve seen them all’. And having seen Roman Amphitheatres in Frejus, Verona, etc, it’s a bit like touring football stadiums...,
I was in Rome with the family in July and would also reiterate what the others have said about walking around the city. We found all kinds of hidden gems just wandering around the side streets.
St Peter's is well worth seeing, the sheer scale of the wealth that's been siphoned off from the believers is extraordinary and the tasteless blinginess of the place is jaw-dropping, it makes Trump look restrained. Second the suggestion about going up to the top of the dome too, the views of Rome are great.
Awesome! Many thanks for your help guys...
Taking my DSLR and a couple of lenses, and the forecast is for 28 degrees and bright sunshine (a bit better than the UK!) next two days, so...
The “just walk” thing was kinda what I was hoping to hear as that was my fallback plan. The few places that have been mentioned that I’d not thought of I’ll definitely check out.
Just walk. Forum, Palatine, Colosseum, Pantheon etc… Just walk.
Having been to Rome many times, I agree very much with this advice. You’ll get tired, of course, but who cares, just stop at any of the little cafes or pizza counters to refuel.
There are lots of churches there - surprise of surprises - but don’t be a cynic. Just go in and take a look. If you like architecture and art, that is... If not, just being in the city and wandering around can be magical in itself.
Coffee prices in Italy are regulated. You only pay through the nose if you sit down, so buy your coffee and lean against the counter while you enjoy your people watching. The best place I've been for breakfast in Rome is the Coromandel Cafe, but check opening hours.
Or just watch Richard Ayoade:
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/travel-man-48-hours-in/on-demand/65394-001
Many thanks for all the advice! Sorry for a late response... Basically, we "just walked"... I reckon we did 12 miles on the Sunday, and probably 7 or 8 on Monday! But hey... It was worth it...
Here's a few pictorial highlights...
Have loads more here...
Thanks very much for all the suggestions again. The GF was blown away by it all! We both loved every minute of the trip.
Just off viaCorsa is the Chiesa di Sant'ignazio which has the best ceiling in Rome, better IMHO than the Sistine Chapel. For best effect, look at the floor when you enter the church. In the middle of the chhurch is a small bronze disk, stand there and loo up - the heavens will be looking down on you
Are you already engaged, if not this could go wrong, you only go to Rome to get engaged, that's what all women think.....
Rome is a beautiful place.
Oh the ice cream, ooooh the ice cream. Beautiful Venchi gelato ice cream by Trebbi fountains.
We went to Giolitti ice cream parlour
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1061568-Reviews-Giolitti-Rome_Lazio.html
Very, very good.
If it’s top of her bucket list she may have some very fixed ideas of what she wants to do
Probably be proposed to.
I was proposed to in Rome.
The Sistine Chapel was just ram packed with crying, wailing Americans when we went. I'm not in a rush to go back!
None of the proposing or anything to do with marriage was done... Thank God! The GF only recently had her Decree Absolute through (yes, she was technically still married for our first 9 months together! LOL)
We did have an amazing time though... And it was kind of all prompted by this... https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/the-big-c-again/
Bit of a shitter eh! You can understand why I was keen to surprise her and take her mind away from the situation though...