When in Rome: Experiences to Remember

Moving to London opened up a whole new continent of travel adventures for me, and Italy was at the top of my European bucket list. The history, the beauty, the food – I mean, who wouldn’t love it, right??

So when my husband’s family said they wanted to visit us, I immediately put Rome on the agenda as the final stop in a London-Paris-Rome itinerary. I was really looking forward to playing Tour Guide! It was the first big trip that I had planned for others, and the first time my in-laws would be visiting Europe, so I threw myself into creating the perfect itinerary jam-packed with famous sites.

The trip was great, but what our time in Rome taught me was that the perfect itinerary is not just about the sites you see – it’s about the things you experience along the way.

Trapped in the Vatican

By the time we arrived in Rome we’d seen so many fantastic places in London and Paris and I couldn’t wait to get started exploring our final city. On the first morning in Rome, I strolled into breakfast and told the family that we were headed to Vatican City for the day. My sister-in-law responded with ‘So, another church?’

‘Umm, no, not just another church. The Vatican!’

To be fair, we had seen a LOT of cathedrals by this point in our trip, and other than saying it was the Vatican, I struggled to explain what would make this visit cooler than our visits to places like Westminster Abbey or Notre Dame. Still, when we arrived at St Peter’s Square and took in our first views of the cathedral, the sheer size alone was impressive. What wasn’t impressive was the crowds. There were people everywhere! If my SIL was done with churches, she was even more done with crowds, and these crowds were insane! I was pretty sure this would be the first and last trip she let me plan LOL.

Crowds or not, we made our way inside to have a look around. It was lovely. But soon after strolling through the main bits everyone in our party – myself included – was eager to move onto the grand finale of the Sistine Chapel. We turned around and headed towards the exit, and then out of nowhere the Vatican Guards stepped out and stopped us. I tried to move around them to leave but they weren’t having it. Apparently a service was starting and no one could leave. We were literally trapped there without a seat for an hour-long service in Italian. I tried not to look at my family but could feel their stares searing into me.

Then, from a side door directly across from us, the Pope emerged! Yes, the Pope! No wonder there were so many people here! He slowly made is way down the aisle waiving to the masses and we had a front row spot. I literally could have touched him. To this day it’s the highlight of my SIL’s trip and I am the hostess with the mostess.

Seeking Michaelangelo

Our next stop was the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel with its famous Michaelangelo ceiling. While there were fewer crowds than at the service with the Pope, there were still a lot of people. Fortunately, we had pre-booked tickets which meant we didn’t need to join the massive queue.

What I hadn’t realised was that it is a long, one-way system through a huge museum, with the Sistine Chapel the prize at the end. As we strolled through room after room, the grandeur was overwhelming. I’m not exaggerating when I say every ceiling was gorgeous! And yet I was impatient to get to the prize. With every room I’d look up, think ‘nope, this isn’t it’, and move quickly on. When we finally arrived at the Sistine Chapel it was lovely – but underwhelming. I realised that for me at least the most impressive rooms were ones I’d rushed through because they weren’t the famous one. And since it was a one-way system I couldn’t go back.

You would think that after a surprise visit from the Pope just a few hours before I would have learned to soak in unexpected moments when they arrive, but it obvs takes me more than once to learn a lesson. I know it now though! It’s not just about the destination but enjoying the journey.

Unforgettable Experiences

The rest of our time in Rome was also full of unexpected gems and fortunately I’d learned to take the time to enjoy them! Here are five of the experiences that are still vivid memories long after others faded.

• Chilling in a piazza — The iconic sites are great, but some of my fave moments in Rome were simply sitting in a lovely piazza enjoying a refreshing drink and soaking up the atmosphere. Two of my favourite piazzas were the Campo di Fiori, a flower market by day and a fun collection of outdoor eateries by night, and Piazza Navona just around the corner from the famous Trevi fountain with its own lovely fountains and cafes to enjoy. Both piazzas have beautiful quiet side streets and courtyards well worth a wander.
  
• Scaling the duomo –- On my second trip to Rome I took the time to climb the 550 steps of the Vatican dome for the breathtaking 360 degree views across Rome. Totally worth every step! The Vatican was purposely built on the tallest point in the area so it’s hard to find a better vantage point, and even the views back down into Michaelangelo’s dome are amazing.
  
• Soaking up the Forum views – The Forum should be on any Rome itinerary. It’s where Roman history begins! But many people visit the Forum and miss one of the best parts: Palatine Hill. Yes, you do have to climb, but the views out over the Forum and across Rome are fantastic. Plus, it was actually here were Rome was founded! There are lovely garden spaces and a crowd-free path back down.
  
• Getting off the beaten path – Rome has so many fabulous neighbourhoods and just sticking to the main iconic areas means you miss much of the essence of Rome itself. For an outdoor adventure, why not head to the Via Appia for a lovely hike or bike ride along the 2000 year old cobblestone street with stops at the catacombs and cafes. Or, you can wander the colourful neighbourhoods like Testaccio or Trastevere for eccelctic cafes, shops, street art and food.
  
• Adventuring further – There’s so much to see in Rome itself that many people miss the amazing spots nearby.  Just half an hour outside of the city is the town of Ostia with the amazing ruins of Ostia Antica and the nearby beach. It’s like a quieter Pompeii with well-preserved sites, and the Lido is a lovely beach escape from the city. Or, head inland from Rome to the gorgeous cliff-top town of Orvieto to stroll through the lovely medieval streets and do some wine tasting! Both are amazing day trips and add a different dimension to a Rome visit.

Conclusion: When in Rome

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about some of my fave Rome memories and are inspired to make some memories of your own! The phrase ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’ has a whole new meaning for me now. Taking the time to pause, soak in the flavours and the atmosphere, and explore the side streets provides experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. At least they have for me!