The Eternal City, Rome

Rome, the eternal city, where ancient history and modernity blend in a seamless mix of architecture, art, and lifestyle. One of the most popular destinations in Europe, and I had the joy of spending a few days in the iconic city.

Day 1:

Though Fiumicino is the main international airport into Rome, I arrived at the lesser known Ciampino airport, in the southern outskirts. The airport may be smaller, but it is far quicker to get through! Taking the bus, we arrived at our hotel by the main train station, in about 40 minutes. After freshening up and a quick pit stop, We headed straight to the Colosseum, without a doubt, the crown jewel of Rome. The amphitheater, dating back to AD 80, is an extraordinary work of Roman engineering and a testament to their love for entertainment.. We had the tour booked for tomorrow, but couldn’t resist a walk by!

For the evening, we winded our way towards Piazza Novona, the elegant plaza in city center. The path took us thorough several magnificent landmarks. A short walk down from the Colosseum is the ever so grand, marble sculptured, Altar of the Fatherland. This imposing monument offers some amazing panoramic shot of the capital. The next stop was one where there will always be a crowd, day or night, rain or shine. The beautiful Trevi Fountains, this resplendent feat of craftmanship with its baroque stylings simply defines Rome. Make sure to make a wish, and enjoy the several gelato stalls in the vicinity! Dinner at the aforementioned Piazza Novona capped off a great first day, the plaza looking brilliant once the sun goes down. Onto a packed Day 2…..

Day 2:

The Colosseum was first up, with the hotel being a short distance away. Make sure to book tickets in advanced, as the queues can get very busy otherwise. The tickets for the historic stadium can be combined with a look at the nearby Roman Forum, marvel at the ingenuity and grandeur of the ancient Romans! A quick spot of lunch and we were off to the next destination, and one for the sports fan in me. Rome, and Italy itself is captivated by football. So from the ancient arena of centuries gone by, to the modern, 70,000 seater Stadio Olimpico. The home to Roma, Lazio and the Italian national team. If you love football, or sports in general, this temple of dreams should be on your list. Do keep in mind, the Stadium is quite some way out, the metro doesn’t run there, so you will require a bus or taxi. But the tours are regular, and quite cheap (compared to premier league grounds!)

On the way back from the national stadium, you can conveniently pass by another coveted location, the papal grounds of the Vatican City. The smallest sovereign country (or micro state.in the world!) Covering barely 0.5km, the city still possesses attractions such as St Peter’s Squares, and of course, the Sistine Chapel. The square is free to explore, but if you do want to visit the interiors, you’ll need to obtain tickets.

We went back towards the center for dinner, and the area around The Pantheon is one of the places to go. This wonderfully preserved temple stands tall, with its famed domed frame. The surrounding area is dotted with cafes, restaurants and bars. A great spot to people watch!

Day 3:

We only had a half day before flying out, so we kept it simple! If you want to do a bit of shopping, the area around Spagna and the Via del Corso is highly recommended. With all your usual high street brands, and some more local options on offer. If you are in the area, it’s also worth a visit to a location well documented in movies, adverts and fashion shows, to name a few! The famous Spanish Steps, the flowing 100+ steps wind their way up to the top, giving you another highlight to cap off this amazing city. And with that, it was a quick dash back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and off again to Ciampino. Rome is definitely one of my favorite cities to visit in Europe, and there’s always more reason to go back!