Never get bored of the view of the Pantheon as you turn down a little side street and it opens up in front of you. Rome was my favourite city years ago but then l went to Florence and NY after, those are definitely my top 3.
I've been twice (would love to go again if the planets could align!). First time in 2012, then I think it was either 2017 or 2018. Both in early March. The Spanish Steps, first time was busy, the second time was insane. You couldn't even get up the steps for youths sat on them. The Pantheon was relatively quiet inside, but outside, it was heaving. And if we wandered by, there were always tour groups and tut sellers congregated in the square. Similar with London though, head one street over from a key tourist sight and you'll often have it to yourself.
First time I went was 1979 (have that for being an old git) and a few times after that. The last time was just before Covid struck. (2018?) The big difference is the traffic. In 79 it was absolute mayhem – no lanes, no speed restrictions, everyone using their horns and / or shouting at each other all the time. Traffic light meant nothing, The noise across the city was incredible. I’ve never done a parachute jump but the fear and uncertainty couldn’t be much different to crossing the road in Rome back then. The trick was - simply walk out and cross at a constant pace. Not easy when everything seems to be aiming directly at you before swerving at the last second. Walked across that wide road around the Colosseum once. Think I had a little cry when I got to the other side.
More to see and do in Rome than any city I've been to and Ive been to a lot. There's ancient buildings around every corner. All of the tourist spots are worth visiting. The Pantheon and square at night were brilliant but that may have been because we were treated to a Claptonesque guitarist for most of the evening. Get tickets for the Vatican museum otherwise you might be queuing for hours. The wealth in that building would pay off the third world debt. You need at least a day for St Peters Square, Vatican and museum. Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are quick stop offs as you're walking around. Coliseum and Roman Forum are another half day and if you like the inside of churches there are dozens around the city. Travastere is the place for eating but also the square around the Pantheon was good I'm sure you'll have a great time.
Loved Rome but like you did a flying visit. Colosseum. (Would have loved to visit inside) Pantheon . ( as an aside they were Filming Angel's and demons when Tom Hanks walked across the sq. And handed a bride over to her father. Getting married in the building) Trevi fountain Spanish steps. But would love to spend a few days there to see more sights. Eg. Vatican. Basilica etc. https://activebeat.com/travel/12-things-you-cant-miss-in-rome/
Borghese Gallery Do not miss it Book in advance Otherwise, the rest of Rome is just about the best place to visit in the world.
Vatican, Trevi fountain, Parthenon. all brilliant but the Colosseum is far and away the best. We got a basic town tour map and started at the Vatican crashing thru the main sites one after the other. backstreet cafés for lunch and beer. Don't be afraid if being a tourist and don't miss owt that's on the town tourist map..
Been on countless city breaks and Rome is the only place I wouldn't return to in a hurry. Sure it's very picturesque in places, loads of history and culture, great food, but jeeeez it's expensive. Now, I don't particularly mind that on it's own, it's the "let's really screw the tourists" attitude that got me more than anywhere else. You walk into a bar.......a beer? Certainly that'll be €9.....oh you'd like to sit outside that'll be €15.....oh the side that faces the Colosseum, that'll be €20. Hi Luigi.....the usual, in your usual seat facing the Colosseum?....that'll be €4 for you. An I wasn't even wearing union jack shorts. Rip off. But very nice none the less.
Just go off the beaten track a bit and prices are much more reasonable. And I've yet to go anywhere in Italy where the food and drink isn't more than OK.
We went to Rome when the wife was about 5 months pregnant. John Paul II went and died just before we arrived, so we couldn’t see the inside of the chapel. We did get to go into the Vatican to see his tomb though. It was a beating hot day and there wasn’t much shade, and nowhere to sit down, as every seat had an elderly nun or priest on it. Seriously, you wouldn’t believe how many there were. Nuns and priests everywhere. We didn’t hang around and wandered off. Walked for miles, which I struggled with, never mind her. When we got back to the hotel we put the telly on and whatever coloured smoke to signify they’ve found the next Pope was puffing out of the roof. I said to Julie that I was sure you had a clear view of the Vatican balcony from the breakfast terrace upstairs, but she assured me there wasn’t. So we watched the Hitler Youth Pope (forget his name) being revealed to the masses on TV. The next morning, at breakfast I wandered out on to the terrace, and like I thought, a clear view of the balcony. I went back in and told her and she said she knew, she just couldn’t face another flight of steps! So we were in the Vatican the day a new Pope was elected, but we didn’t see the big reveal cos the wife was knackered!
Cheeky little tip for you Gally. If you make your way to the big white monument with the black chariot statues on top (you can’t miss it - up from coliseum) monument to Victor Emmanuel II) to the right hand side as you look at it - walk up the daunting steps on its right hand side. There’s a square there at the top with a museum. Walk straight over the square and on your left over the wall is a fantastic view over the forum.
Its a really good area that, you've the monument, which you can get a lift up to the top for great views. You've Trajans column to the front left and two little church domes opposite each other. You've that long avenue with I think Nero's old Palace, then to the right of the Vittorio monument, Michelangelo's steps, the square with the Romulus and remus sculpture, the forum behind the square (I think you could even just sit on a bit of old marble that used to be a column, now used as a bench), and a bit further to the right at the bottom of the steps, the Jesuit Church. I might have to get my missus a HazMat suit and get flights booked! (tongue firmly in cheek)
