WHEN IN ROME....

​I've had an awful lot of memories pop up on my camera album and my snapchat feed of late about our first adventure abroad together as a couple and thought it would be the perfect starter post for our adventures page. I can't believe its been two years already! I'd love to go back. Anybody who knows me well will know that I absolutely love!!!! planning things haha I can get quite obsessive and research every fine detail and plan a pretty impressive itinerary if I do say so myself.

When I visit any new city, my last resort for any sort of transport is well transport haha I like to see everything by foot where absolutely possible as that is how you're going to get the very most out of your visit, you experience the culture more, the smells and sounds of the city, the hidden nooks and cranny's and all the things you'd otherwise miss sticking to the main transport routes.

We chose to stay in the north part of the city in an area called Sallustiano in lovely private apartments aptly named Sallustio Luxury Suites. It was an ideal base for a walking tour of the city. After thorough research we started our first day at the colosseum which was a 15 minute walk from our suites. I recommend getting there as early as possible, I think we arrived roughly around 08:30 and there was already a small que forming. DO NOT be suckered in to the many many people trying to sell you fast track tickets or tours, its an utter waste of money, just get there early. There is hoards and hoards of people everywhere at all the main tourist attractions trying to sell you anything and everything, our best form of defense was firm but polite "no thank you" however after saying it near a hundred times it does become frustrating. It took us roughly 5 minutes to get through security and enter the colosseum. Be prepared to remove your bags and coats and put them through a scanner for checking (again this happens at most major attractions).

The colosseum itself was spectacular. You just cannot comprehend the architecture of this place and the sheer age of it. Its humbling to stand in such a place and take in the atmosphere and learn about its history. I loved it. I highly recommend taking a walk around the Campitelli, Palatine hill and Roman forums afterwards to the right of the colosseum, the area is full of monuments and just steeped in history.

Whilst there we visited a beautiful church named Basilica of saint mary of the angels, again the architecture and work that goes into these places literally blows your mind, they're so beautiful and awe inspiring.

I highly reccommend taking a trip to the museum and crypt of caphuchins. It isn't for the faint hearted, after a brief history walk through you're led into the main crypt which is only small but it is art work in a few small rooms made up of human skeletons. Eiree but fascinating at the same time, we admittedly left there feeling a bit unnerved but i'm glad it is something we got to experience. You're not allowed to take pictures in there but if you want a heads up on what you're getting yourself in for there are many photos on google.

So onto ice cream!! One of my favs! There are ice cream vendors everywhere in Rome!! I would definitely pay the following two a visit whilst you're there.

1) Vendi. Vendi is a chocolatier and ice cream place in one, behind the ice cream counter the have a moving chocolate wall which is a sight to behold and the whole place just smells edible! Grab some chocolate gifts for relatives whilst there, though it is a little pricey but soooo worth it!

2) Il fontina Trevi. A small ice cream shop right by the famous Trevi fountain. The ice cream here is a little cheaper than Vendi but the range of ice creams available makes choosing, one of the hardest choices to make since deciding what nail colour to go for!! I finally went for the kinder bueno, nom nom nom! And for the record being right by the fountain makes for very instagram worthy photos
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​Another big must do whilst there is visit the Castle Sant Angelo. It was amazing in there, I fell in love with the high ceilings and huge antique fire places. Again packed full of history and educational information, there’s a little coffee shop inside which is always a bonus and the views across Rome from the roof tops is a must see, phenomenal!!


We took the short walk to the Vatican after leaving Sant Angelo but unfortunately it just wasn’t meant to be for us. The queues were massive (2hr wait) and the heavens opened, so we took a few pictures of St. Peter’s square and were on our way to our next stop (our apartment to get ready for our evening visit to a jazz bar!). Again there is people everywhere trying to sell you tickets and fast track passes etc DO NOT be suckered in. Just get there as early in the morning as possible to beat the queues.


Gregory’s Jazz Club is perfect for a quiet date night, a very intimate and cosy setting in the function room upstairs. We managed to bag ourselves a comfy sofa seat at the very front, it was like watching a live band in your living room. They had a vast cocktail menu and absolutely delicious food of which there was lots of seafood choices. We didn’t eat ourselves but had a good nosey at people’s meals around us and they looked and smelt amazing, portion sizes were generous too.

Other things you must see/do when in Rome....
The Spanish steps
The Pantheon
Via dei condotti is the main shopping street in Rome located at the bottom of the Spanish steps, you’ll find many famous shops here from Louis Vuitton to Micheal kors.
Piazza Navona
Temple of Hadrian
The fountain of Neptune
The Vatican City
You must eat locally!! Here is a small list of some the best restaurants in Rome
1) Imago

https://www.hotelhasslerroma.com/en/restaurants-bars/imago/?utm_source=mybusiness&utm_medium=organic

2) Cassa Coppelle

http://www.casacoppelle.com/

3) Amado al Pantheon

http://www.armandoalpantheon.it/




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