Rome, Italy- What to See
Living la dolce vita in Rome!
Spending a week in Rome, living in a neighborhood and shopping at the local grocery store, really immerses you in a place and helps you understand how people live and navigate their daily lives.
While we did the obligatory viewings of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Trevi Fountain, we didn’t spend much time at any of these spots. Instead we chose to schedule one museum a day and then wander the streets and neighborhoods exploring as we went. We spent one afternoon shopping in vintage clothing stores and one morning in Trastevere. Do not miss this historical neighborhood! Central Rome, within the ancient wall, is a small city and easy to navigate on foot and Uber Black is just a tap away.
1. Historic Architecture-
As I’m sure you’re aware, when in Europe, you can walk into any random church for a spectacular lesson in history, art and architecture. Two churches that I took note of in Rome are the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere and Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore on Piazza Navona. Both were stunning with layered histories from the Roman times.
Sadly, Villa Borghese was closed for renovation, so that was a miss, but we loved the Palazzo Barberini. It turns out that we saw a lot of the influential Barberini throughout Rome.
Lastly, the Vatican is amazing. No matter what your thoughts are about the church, the buildings, artwork and history are must sees. Be sure to book a tour. Lines (at 9am) were hours long. It’s absolutely worth the time and money to see.
2. Quieter Museums-
I had been to Rome once before. At that time, we took a couple of tours, which are a wonderful way to help you understand the historical context. But, once you’ve done the more touristy places, here are a couple of quieter spots to see.
We loved the Palazzo Altemps (part of the Museo Nazionale Romano), where we were practically by ourselves. The rooms and artifacts were mind-blowing with a stunning veranda and courtyard. The pieces in this photo are part of a 1st century mosaic wall. The colors are still vivid and would be beautiful in a home today (non-navigable website; just walk in at opening).
The other museum that was recommended to me is Palazzo Valentini with baths in the basement from the 2nd century (get your tickets ahead).
3. Restaurants + Food-
One of the things that I love about Europe (well France and Italy), is the freshness of the food. Food is amazing in NYC, but it just doesn’t compare with Europe. The taste of basic grocery store items will have you coming back for more. As we rented an apartment in Rome, we cooked breakfast and a couple of dinners at home. We had excellent lunches at where ever we happened to be. Our 2 favorite dinners were at Giano Restaurant in the W Hotel- a beautiful space- and Osteria Gensola in Trastevere- a lovely family osteria. You’ll need to make reservations for both before you leave home.
