When in Rome
Rome may not have been built in a day, but we saw it in one. Here's how.
Where to look at a fountain with a few other thousand people: Trevi Fountain
Call it cliché, but you almost inevitably end up finding yourself here. The hordes of crowds definitely take away from it's beauty, but we found a nice spot up on the top right corner of the fountain ( if you're looking at it) where we sat on the edge and looked around the area in peace. Throw a coin in there, just to say you did it and feel like Hillary Duff, hang out for 10 minutes, then continue roaming the beautiful streets of the area.
Great to look at and walk by, but by no means is this large fountain in a small square relaxing.
Where to get your face drawn in a beautiful public space: Piazza Navona
One of the nicest squares in Rome, especially if you’re a fan of pigeons
Maybe my favorite public square in all of Rome, maybe even all of Europe, Piazza Navona exudes a sort of character that is unique to Italy. Sure, it's touristy, but that doesn't take away from the beauty of the architecture or the people or the food. And the artists that flood this square are actually quite good, so maybe this is the one place in your life you'll get a cartoon version of yourself drawn.
Where to have coffee with aqueduct water: Sant Eustachio Il Cafe
Located just next to the Parthenon, this is the best place in the city to get a cup of coffee. They have some more unique types of coffee, such as Tiramisu or Nutella, but their classics, like the Cappuccino I got, are as solid as it gets. Don't spend double to sit at a table, just stand by the bar and hang out.
Where to people watch at night while sipping wine: Il Palazzetto Rooftop
Perched above the Spanish Steps, this place has views that are to die for. The wine is great, but that's a trait applicable to all Italian restaurants and bars. But people watching, listening to musicians, and watching the domes dotted for miles light up the city is something that is unique to this well-priced bar (given its location).
Wine with a view of th Spanish Steps and beyond
Where to have authentically touristy lunch in small alleyways: Osteria Zimberto
Trastevere is a must visit area in Rome (especially after the sun goes down). Even though it is filled with tourists, it feels local. And really the best thing to do here is to get lost and find yourself in the most beautiful alleyways, churches and restaurants. We stumbled upon a cute little restaurant on the edge of the area and had a great meal, which while did not look great, tasted amazing, which at the end of the day is what truly matters. We had some of the best service during the trip at this place as well, so that's a big plus. Fun loving, smiley, helpful waiters, along with great food and a cute, off-beat location make this restaurant one I would highly recommend.
Trastevere: my favorite part of Rome
Where to see the world's largest dome (for free): The Pantheon
This dome is incredibly impressive, showcasing a pinnacle of the architectural and structural world for free. The line to get in is somewhat long but goes quickly, so do not be deterred by it. The Pantheon is an absolute gem, and is not to be missed. Plus, it's located between the Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain, so by no means is it out of the way.
Free entry to one of the worlds lartist domes is the best deal I’ve ever heard of
How to see the Coliseum and Forum without waiting in lines (and almost getting ditched): So these two are the must see ruins of the city. What used to be a grand area is now almost nothing more than rubble, but enough has remained to keep it interesting, especially the Coliseum. We used a tour booked through Viator, and it was all executed great. That is until our tour guide had a mind fart and decided to leave us in the Roman Forum after telling us we could go out and explore for a minute. Regardless, waiting in those lines would have sucked, and the tour is cheap-only about $55 at the end of the day-so it is definitely the best way to see some of the most important buildings in human history.
What not to do: Don't sit down to get gelato. That shit will cost you $10. Go to an authentic, local hole-in-the-wall instead.
Getting in, out and around: We came in and got out via train, and staying near the station, especially for our short duration of time, made it as easy as a five minute walk. And with trains in Europe, you really don't need to get to the station until 15 minutes before departure time.