I was in Roma for the weekend, which actually coincided with the canonization rites of 2 great Popes in the Vatican, although I didn’t get the chance to attend the ceremonies (it was nearly impossible to get in at the last minute). I was hoping for good weather but throughout the time I was there, it rained. Boo 🙁
I’ve been very fortunate to visit Rome on more than one occasion, but I have honestly never really done a thorough tour of the famous archaelogical sites within the city. On this last minute trip, CV Travel and Associates (+639175368545) have been able to tailor- make a short tour for us. Over the last few years, I’ve been traveling so much for work that if I were to take a short side trip for a weekend, I’d rather have everything done for me– haha I’m spoiled this way but I think people fail to understand that I plan so much during work trips and though I make it seem real fun (it really is) and super easy (but hah, we’re talking overflowingly plenty of planning and hard work behind the scenes which include sleepless nights, natch), I would like to sit back and just let arrangements be planned on my behalf when I go on a break. I think overworked peeps can understand me on this one haha 🙂
Anyway, if you’re in Rome for a day *assuming you have no time to go into museums*, here are some sights worth visiting (apart from the Vatican).
The Spanish Steps
The main shopping area for that quick designer fix is along Via Condotti and at the opposite end, is Via del Corso, where all the “high street” brands like H&M and Zara are.
I’ve been to Rome a few times already but I’ve actually never been inside the Colosseo (Colosseum) before. This was my first time inside this gargantuan monument and I was quite shattered that it was not as well- preserved as I had initially thought. But fortunate for Italia and for tourists like us, Diego della Valle of Tod’s donated EUR 25M for a full- scale restoration of the monument. Yay, Mr. DDV!
The Roman Forum
Trevi Fountain
Pantheon
Piazza Navona
Vittorio Emanuele Monument a.k.a. The Wedding Cake 🙂 It looks like one!
While in Roma, don’t forget to pop by Giolitti—
I had the most sinful gelato (dark chocolate fondant, torone, hazelnut) and I was trying to figure out why it kept melting (unlike most other gelato I had tried which didn’t really melt because the weather was still cold). Apparently they use a different cream for the gelato which made it sooooo rich– haha every slurp made me feel like I was gaining a pound hahaha, but trust me it was sooo worth it!
One of the areas to find good restaurants is at Trastevere. Unfortunately on this trip, I was not able to go 🙁 There is however, a pizza place called Pizzarium just by the back of the Vatican which we went to for lunch (standing only as it’s like a pizza- to- go place) and they serve artisanal pizzas with rather unconventional flavors.
The place was featured by Tony Bourdain by the way :)*Thanks to Chef Stevie Villacin for this!*
More travelog soon! I have to go to sleep already as it’s 3am and I’ve an early day tomorrow 😉
x
TheBagHag