I went on a summer trip to Italy and started with Rome. So what to do in Rome in 3 days? 

Third time lucky in Rome

“Ciao Bella Roma” is a wink to my Italian friends’ favourite Italian restaurant in Dublin, where I lived for a while. This is my third time in Rome. I was not impressed by my two first trips in the city. It was too hot. The city was full of ancient ruins (but wasn’t it part of its charms?). The Romans were just not friendly. But I gave it a second and even a third chance. 

I am glad I did because it is a really enchanting city.

I can multitask

I travelled with my parents, whom I suspect did not want to go around with me for my highly entertaining personality, but because they needed a tour operatorreservation agenttranslatortour guideofficial photographer. You know that I am joking, right?

I have no real proof of this though apart from the fact that I booked all the flights and train tickets, the hotels and apartments, and spoke to all third parties the whole trip. I also took pictures of my dad everywhere. 

Talking about apartment rental, ours was located ten minutes from the Vatican Museum and twenty five minutes from Piazza Navona.

Day 1 – Vatican city, Piazza Navona, Fontana di Treviso & Piazza di Spagna

Vatican city

Our first stop was Vatican City and St Peter’s square. Given the extremely long queues, we have skipped the Vatican Museum, the Sixtine Chapel and entering the Vatican itself that day. 

We came back on Sunday afternoon at four o’clock to see the Vatican again and only waited fifteen minutes to enter. I could not get in with my strappy top. Damn… Hot pants and miniskirts are not allowed either! Both men and women must cover their knees and upper arms. 

This time, I was not into chasing monuments and art anyway. I wanted to chill and soak up the atmosphere on the numerous piazzas. I was not too disappointed.

Piazza Navona

In Piazza Navona, we sat down on the kerb to rest and admire the fountains and magnificent buildings. We also watched people walking around. 

I enjoy this kind of moments, all the more when a band started to play some jazz in the strets. I could have sat there the entire morning, but I only had three days in Rome. I had to make the most out of it. 

Then we headed to the Pantheon, ten minutes from Piazza Navona.

Enjoying fresh water from Roman fountains

In Rome, fountains constantly dispense fresh and clean water. You don’t really need to carry a bottle around. 

The freshness of the water was more than welcomed in the sweltering summer heat. Luckily, there is one on the way to the Pantheon from the bottom of Piazza Navona. Lifesaver! In front of the Pantheon, an  electronic guitar player was filling the air with his tunes. Wonderful! 

Tasty pizzas for lunch

We had lunch at Pizzeria Da Bafetto, near Piazza Navona. 

This pizzeria was highly recommended and it was true, the pizzas were very nice. The service was terrible though. At first, we sat down in the restaurant but then decided to take our pizzas away. There was too much noise from the works outside. 

The waiter ousted us rudely and told us to wait in the streets then.  Clearly, the customer was not king.

The Fontana di Treviso

After lunch, we headed to a dry Fontana di Treviso because of repair works. Funny enough, tourists were still encouraged to throw their coins in from a designated spot. An interesting fundraising strategy. 

Legend has it that tossing a coin will ensure a return to Rome. Tossing two coins that you will return and fall in love. Tossing three coins means you will return, find love and marry. You have to use the proper tossing technique though: with your right hand over your left shoulder. 

As for me, I was disappointed. I have prepared my own remake of Anita Ekberg’s Trevi Fountain scene from Dolce vita. It will be for another time…sigh…Joking again in case you did not get me.

Last stop of the day: going around Piazza di Spagna 

We finished the day at Piazza di Spagna, sat down again to admire the Spanish steps. It was too hot to climb them, though. 

Then, we went window shopping on Via Dei Condotti where Rome’s luxury shops are located. Jimmy Choo Shoes? Prada suit anyone? This is your spot. Via Corso, a popular shopping street with more affordable shops, is not far either. 

Day 2 – an ancient ruins day

Our first stop of the day was Trajan’s market, a large complex of ruins on the way to the Colosseum. We also passed by Piazza Venezia with the impressive monument to Vittorio Emmanuel II. Again, I can hear one of those talented street musicians that Rome seems to be full of. It feels like a movie. 

Next, we made our way to the Colosseum. Afterwards, we passed the Forum and went to the Boca Della Verità. On our first Roman trip, we searched for this place after watching a romantic movie.  During their walk, the soon-to-be-in-love couple romantically put their hands inside the mouth. 

They say La “Bocca della Verità” (in english, The mouth of truth) bites off the hand of anyone not telling the truth. I am very innocent. You cannot see it but I am still typing this post with my two hands. Yes, nobody laughs at my jokes but me.

Bring on the Italian yummy food!

Lunchtime has arrived. We headed back to Piazza Navona and chose la Taverna Parione. The terrace was empty, but laughter and happy voices came from inside. 

In addition, it did not appear touristy. While I have nothing against tourists, I myself am one, if I can have an authentic experience, I will seize it without hesitation. 

First Bruschette and fried zucchini flowers

I really liked the menu. They served a variety of bruschettas and homemade pasta dishes. I chose for the table: one lard bruschetta, one tomato & basil bruschetta and fried zucchini flowers. 

I got obssessed with them after reading and watching “Eat, Pray and Love”. The protagonist was raving about fried zucchini flowers. They are treated like a real delicacy in Italy. Ours had a cheese filling inside and a thin batter outside. Not sure that they were identical to Julia Roberts’, but they were delicious. 

Then pasta

My main dish is tonnarelli carciofi e guanciale – homemade pasta with artichokes, bacon and parmesan. The best pasta dish I have ever had accompanied with a glass of chianti. Ooohh, that glass of chianti… That was exactly what I needed: simple and delicious Italian food. I fell in love with good pasta that day.

And finally gelato

After lunch, we went for dessert to the Gelateria del Teatro. The place is hype and gourmet. We paid six euros for three scoops. First, white chocolate with basil then red peach with passion fruit. Although The scoops are undoubtfully flavourful, but I prefer more classical tastes. However, I was happy with the experience.

Day 3 – Trastevere and shopping day

Spritz at a terrace

With its cobblestone streets and ancient houses, Trastevere is more bohemian than Rome’s historic centre. It also has a more vibrant feel. It must be nice to dine or come for an aperitivo here. 

We did not have time for a proper aperitivo, but I would definitely plan one when I come back. After a stroll around, we sat at a terrace for a spritz, a popular italian cocktail with prosecco wine and aperol.

It is shopping time!

Then it was shopping time for shoes and bag. Italian leather is fine and cheap. We  also visited several clothing shops, gourmet food shops and Italian design shops. 

I purchased a necklace by Whiteleaves from a design shop. My mum got the best truffle I had in my life. She used it to cook truffled potatoes with veal in Barcelona. It blew my  mind. 

I loved my necklace, but it got stolen in Naples. I was so sad about it for one day. Check out that story in my next post.

Our last italian supper

That evening, we had dinner at La Fiorentina in our neighbourhood on Via Andrea Doria. I liked the place because it looked local. The decor was also nice. The cuisine is nice, but I would recommend this place more for ice cream (one euro a scoop and super delicious) and breakfast, two coffees and two pastries for 4,80 Euros.

My top experience of Rome? Wandering in historical Rome’s winding lanes and colourful houses. At each corner, you make a discovery: a nice façade, a white marble building…It is a feast for the eyes everywhere you turn: up, to the right, to the left, and to the back. I would endlessely get lost in the streets of the Eternal city!