Rome wasn’t built in a day but it can be sight-seen in a day or two says One Magazine’s Jake Tucker.
The beautiful European metropolis that is Rome is an incredibly walk-able city. Other than travelling to and from the airport, the whole of our weekend in Rome was spent on foot, which allowed us to discover the history and architecture that surrounds you wherever you go. Walking around allows you to get a real sense of culture when meandering through the tight cobbled streets, popping out into the various piazzas filled with finely-crafted architecture and fragrant smells.
We arrived in the early evening, and after quickly checking in and dropping off our bags at the hotel, it was then time to go out for our first taste of Italian dining. Food is something very close to my heart and it was one of the things I was most looking forward to experiencing in Rome. I wasn’t disappointed. On our doorstep were numerous eateries – perfect for walking just a short distance back to the hotel after a glass of wine – and this turned out to be the case all around the city. There are definitely no shortages of places to eat. Throw out all of your preconceived ideas of Italian food from back home and prepare to have your mind blown by the real deal. Lasagne will never taste the same again for me, and I came home wondering why we don’t finish all of our evening meals with Limoncello. Bread is brought out at the start of each meal, but we quickly learned that unlike Italian restaurants in the UK, bread is used as a tool to mop up excess sauce as opposed to serving as a starter. The food is almost a good enough reason to visit Rome itself, especially due to the large number of rooftop terraces and picturesque piazzas that you’ll find yourself dining in.
Our first full day started early, as we wanted to make sure we maximised our time in order to see all of the sights the city had to offer. In just a day we’d visited the Trevi Fountain, moved on to the Spanish Steps situated above the Piazza di Spagna to take in the views across the city, before venturing across the river to Castel Sant’Angelo in the north-western part of the city. It was then on to the Pantheon, perusing various streets and restaurant windows as we went.
The great thing about travelling through Rome on foot – armed with map in hand – is that the ‘wow factor’ becomes even more heightened when you stumble around a corner into such awe-inspiring structures.
The second day had been set aside for what everyone visits Rome for – the magnificent Colosseum and Forum. Passing a gelateria on the way for some delicious ice cream (which I recommend doing at every available opportunity), we headed down to Palatine Hill where the queue was significantly shorter than the main Colosseum entrance. In the early-November sun (the equivalent to British summertime), we spent the day exploring the vast structures of what once was, and revelled in the stories left behind by stone. Sunset in the Colosseum was a stunning spectacle, with the sun shining through the carved arches creating a serene ambience in a place so historically brutal. We spent hours here and I’d definitely recommend a whole day to get the full experience.
Our experience in this warm and vibrant city, albeit short, was packed with plenty to see, do and taste. Although the eternal city may be miles away from home, there’s definitely a strong sense of having known Rome all your life.
