Rome is not a city you visit — it’s a city you experience, usually while standing in the middle of a piazza wondering how something can be 2,000 years old and still part of everyday life. One minute you’re staring at the Colosseum, the next you’re sipping an espresso next to a ruin that predates your entire country. History isn’t tucked behind museum doors here; it’s layered into the streets, the fountains, and the way people casually walk past ancient columns like it’s no big deal.
This is a city of big icons and small pleasures. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, wander the Roman Forum, climb the Spanish Steps, and then get happily lost down cobblestone streets where laundry hangs overhead and dinner lasts far longer than planned. Add Vatican City, art that stops you mid-step, pasta that will ruin you for all other pasta, and gelato breaks that feel medically necessary, and you’ve got Rome in a nutshell.
Rome is chaotic, romantic, loud, beautiful, and completely unapologetic — and that’s exactly why it works.
Sleep & Soar
Rome gives you options — lots of them — and where you stay really shapes your experience. Wake up to church bells in Trastevere, step outside your hotel near the Pantheon and be at major sights before the crowds roll in, or choose a quieter neighborhood where evenings feel local and lived-in. From boutique hotels tucked into historic buildings to apartments perfect for slow mornings and late dinners, Rome knows how to do “la dolce vita” even when you’re just heading out for coffee. Getting around is part of the adventure, whether you’re walking everywhere (highly recommended), hopping on the metro, or occasionally wondering if that bus is actually coming.
Bucket List Experiences
Rome doesn’t do subtle. This is a city of “wait… that’s right there?” moments. Walk inside the Colosseum, wander through the Roman Forum imagining gladiators and emperors, and step into Vatican City where art, faith, and jaw-dropping ceilings collide. Then balance the big-ticket sights with simple pleasures: sunset over the Tiber, wine in a tiny piazza, a long dinner that turns into a very late night. Rome’s magic is in the mix — ancient wonders by day, unforgettable meals by night, and the feeling that you’re standing in the middle of history while fully enjoying the present.
- Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour
- Hop-On Hop-Off Panoramic Open Bus
- Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica Tour
- Pasta & Tiramisu Class with Fine Wine
- Best of Pompeii Guided Tour and Sorrento Day Trip
Pack, Prep Go
After many trips (and a few “why did I bring this?” moments), we’ve learned that packing smart makes all the difference. This is where we share our favorite travel gear, comfort must-haves, and real lessons learned along the way — the things we actually use and wish we’d known sooner, so your Barcelona adventure starts smooth and stays that way.
Best Time to Visit Hong Kong
- Best months: April–June and September–October (mild weather, fewer crowds)
- Good alternatives: March or early November (cooler, but still pleasant)
- When to avoid: July–August (hot, crowded, many locals on vacation)
- Our take: Spring and fall are perfect for wandering ancient streets, exploring ruins, and enjoying long, leisurely meals without melting under the Roman sun or elbowing through huge tourist crowds.