This was not only my first trip to Rome, but my first trip to Italy. I wanted to soak up every moment and hit all of the major tourist spots in just three short days. August gifted us with bright blue skies and glorious sunshine; but in turn stole the breeze completely. But even in the hot, sticky climate; it was still a wonderful time to visit the city. And obviously, the hot weather means multiple pit stops for wine and ice cream are absolutely essential throughout the day.
Whilst the ‘must do’ tourist spots are incredible; I would recommend trying to allocate at least a full day to wander around the city; taking in a mix of the old and the new and admiring all of the fantastic architecture. I particularly enjoyed these orange and red buildings with the fantastic windows.
Work began on the Trevi fountain in 1732 and wasn’t completed until 1762 – then much later in 2014 the fountain underwent a €2 million restoration. This means that the fountain is currently in incredible condition and looks better than ever. Although unbelievably busy, the Trevi fountain is my favourite spot in the city. I would recommend visiting both in the day and during the night time; as both offer a completely different atmosphere. Just a short five minute walk away are the Spanish Steps. Yet another highlight of the city for me; everything is a short walk away from each other meaning you are constantly stumbling upon hidden gems.
Of course, no trip to Rome is complete without Gelato. This cherry flavour was delicious and needed to be eaten immediately under the blistering August sunshine.
I would most definitely recommend booking a tour around the Vatican City if you have a few days in Rome. We booked our fantastic tour guide, Stephanie, through Viator. She had such a vast knowledge of the area and kept everything interesting and engaging for the whole group. There was only around twelve people on the tour which made it feel much more intimate and gave the opportunity for us to ask any questions. Once our tour was over, we paid the extra €10 to climb the hundreds of steps to the top of St Peter Basilica. As you can see from the photos below, the view was completely worth it.
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