Travel Diaries: Rome, Italy
I’m late to post the details of our trip to Rome last summer. You may have seen my earlier posts where I did a lay out of what we did in Venice and Florence, but we also visited Rome and Positano. Some of you have messaged me and let me know you are going this summer, so I wanted to make sure I did posts on Rome and Positano since we loved both! I always think it is valuable to read other bloggers post on restaurants, shopping, things to do, etc… so here you go.
We LOVED Rome so much more than we thought we would. We really thought this would be the educational leg of the trip and we knew we would enjoy it, but we did not realize just how much we would love the city of Rome. Matthew and I both visited in the past, but always fun seeing through the eyes of the girls. We all cannot wait until we travel back to Rome!
Sorpasso
Restaurants in Rome
Nannarella
Giolittio
Taverna Trilussa
Again, you all were amazing with your recommendations when I reached out on instagram while planning our trip. The ones I took advice on from you all were spot on. We also had a fabulous concierge (as well as hotel manager) at our hotel, Anatara Palazzo Naiadi Rome, who helped us tremendously with recommendations and last minute reservations.
Sorpasso ~ We enjoyed a wonderful, casual lunch at Sorpasso before heading to Vatican City. This was a much needed stop, and very much a local spot (which we love), before an afternoon at Vatican City. the service was great and fueled us for an afternoon of touring.
Ristorante alla Rampa ~ Recommended by our hotel manager, Ristorante alla Rampa was a fabulous recommendation. Located near the Spanish Steps, this was a fun outdoor atmosphere with excellent service. The girls split a filet, which they loved and I had the baked Sea Bass, which I would highly recommend. Insalata Caprese was a great way to start too.
Giolitti ~ Reportedly the oldest ice cream parlor in Rome, it ws founded in 1890 by Giuseppe and Bernardina Giolitti. Soon after opening, they became the leading supplier of the Italian royal family. Very much living up to the hype, we walked to Giolitti’s after dinner our first night and stood in line for gelato for over 30 minutes. Was it worth it ~ 1000%! It is a fun experience and truly the best gelato!
Taverna Trilussa ~ What a fun experience!! This one came highly recommended from a few friends and it did not disappoint! The restaurant is famous for serving pasta dished directly in the pan, enhancing the presentation and flavors. Taverna Trilussa is favored by pro tennis players, such as Roger Federer among others. This is a hard reservation to snag, so be sure to book early.
Ambrosia Rooftop Restaurant & Bar ~ This is an ideal spot not only for the upscale Italian menu, but for the rooftop spot and terrace for prime city views. I loved the atmosphere and the food was beyond!
Rinascente Food Court ~ Ok, this was an unexpected fun place to eat to feel like a true local. We had been touring all morning and wanted to go shopping. The girls and I knew we wanted to checkout Rinascente, Italy’s premium department store, so we went there and LOVED the food court floor. It was very much like enjoying the food court floor in Harrod’s in London, not American food court style. Aside from eating on the food hall floor, Rinascente is a fun department store to hit up to take a break from touring and the Italian summer crowds.
Nannarella ~ We loved this local spot! It was an excellent pizza spot, mainly loved by locals. The house wine was great, which is good since they only offered red or white, and the pizza and salads were very fresh and yummy. Highly recommend!
Colosseo ~ This is a great one because you don’t need a reservation and has view of the colosseum. It’s very basic Italian, but yummy fuel for touring. I loved the Caprese salad, and the girls loved the Margherita salad. Matthew had the spaghetti all carbonara and said it was great.
Harry’s Bar ~ We did not eat at Harry’s Bar in Rome, but I added this one because from experience, you cannot go wrong with Harry’s Bar. The atmosphere is always on point and the food is always divine.
La Pergola ~ Again , we did not eat here, but it came highly recommended. Located in the Waldorf Astoria, many people told us this is an exquisite culinary experience. I can’t wait to try this one when we go back to Rome.
sights to see in Rome
Vatican City
Our first stop the day we arrived in Rome was Vatican City. This is a must do, situated o the West Bank of the Tiber River, it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. It’s the world’s smallest country and so very fascinating to tour. I would highly recommend booking a private tour. The crowds are too extreme to go through without a private tour booked in my opinion. It’s worth the money and really once you see it, it is the type place you go once in a lifetime, so might as well make it enjoyable.
The Colosseum is a must do tour. The kids loved it and it is still to this day one of the most fascinating places I visited the year I went with a friend to Europe after college. Again, fast track access is key to enjoying visiting so you are not in a line all day, but once in we did the guide yourself tour so we could walk around on our own time.
The Pantheon ~ This is well worth going. It’s hard to describe the feeling of being and admiring a building built so long ago. Highly recommend taking the time to go while in Rome.
Trevi Fountain ~ We woke up early one day and went straight to Trevi Fountain before it got super busy. Don’t forget to take coins to toss in and make sure you toss over your left shoulder with your right hand. One coin means you’ll return to Rome, Two coins means you’ll fall in love with an attractive Italian, and three coins means you’ll marry the person you met. I stuck with one coin!
St. Peter’s Basilica ~ Entry to Saint Peter’s Basilica is free, but there is a small fee for the digital audio guide. We opted to not do the audio guide and just go in a see it. Again, stunning and breathtaking to stand inside. I just loved seeing the girls faces while walking around.
Roman Forum ~ This was one of my favorite spots in Rome. The Forum was the center of day to day life in Rome, so I found walking around extremely fascinating trying to imagine life during that time. With this being the heart of so many things that took place, including the assassination of Julius Caesar. It is mind blowing to think about these building being built during this time. It was well worth the visit.
Spanish Steps ~ I of course loved the Spanish Steps because they are in the heart of some wonderful shops! Seriously, we loved a great quick trip to see the steps and the steps are also a wonderful place to take in the sunset after dinner. It gets pretty crowded, so don’t expect a highly romantic or picturesque place, but it’s an iconic piece of history worth visiting.
Roman Forum
Roman Forum
Colosseum
shopping in Rome
Rinascente
Pucci
Gucci
Valentino
Via del Corso ~ a fun street to shop with beautiful alleys running through the heart of the city
Piazza di Spagna ~ near the Spanish Steps
Piazza del Popolo ~ high fashion street
