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It is hard to wrap your mind around Rome. The beauty. The scale. The sheer amount of marble. The history stacked on top of more history. I was in awe from the moment we arrived. Rome was an incredible way to end our Italian adventure.
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There’s so much marble in Rome, I think it grows on the trees! I found proof.
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Getting from Positano to Rome
Getting to Rome was an adventure in itself!
We started our travel day by hauling our suitcases down the 100-plus steps from our Airbnb. Then came the narrow, winding streets, more stairs, and more suitcase dragging until we finally reached the beach/port at the bottom of town.
From there, we caught a boat ferry to Naples. I highly recommend the boat ferry along the Amalfi Coast! They are a wonderful way to visit beautiful spots along the coast. Plus, you get to enjoy the views from the water.
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Once we arrived in Naples, we took a taxi to the train station and caught a train to Rome. From the Rome train station, we grabbed another taxi to our hotel, dropped off our luggage, and set out to explore the city on foot.
It was quite a journey from the cliffs of Positano to the heart of Rome, but the transportation connections worked out beautifully. One minute we were looking back at the Amalfi Coast from a boat, and a few hours later we were walking the historic streets of Rome!
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Walking Through History
One of my favorite things about Rome is that history isn’t tucked away in a museum. It’s everywhere. You are literally walking through it.
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The Colosseum was at the top of my must-see list. I remember studying it in school, but nothing prepares you for actually standing inside this enormous structure. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, it could hold up to 80,000 spectators.
It was used for gladiatorial contests, entertainment, as well as the public deaths of criminals. Standing inside, I kept thinking about how much history those walls have witnessed.
Fun Facts:
- It had around 80 entrances, so crowds could enter and exit quickly, a system modern stadiums still use today.
- Beneath the arena floor was a maze of tunnels and lifts that raised animals and gladiators into the arena.
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A Colosseum tip: BOOK AHEAD!
I tried to reserve our tickets about a month before our visit and everything was already sold out. However, someone mentioned that new tickets are released 7 days in advance. I set a reminder on my phone, and was able to get tickets! Phew.
Our standard ticket gave us access to multiple sites, so I’d plan on at least three hours to explore them all.
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The Pantheon
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Another favorite was the Pantheon. Originally built almost 2000 years ago as a temple to all the gods, but in year 609, became a Christian church. It’s the oldest unreinforced dome in the world. The is also an opening at the top (called the oculus) that is open to the sky. When it rains, the rain falls inside. The floor is gently sloped with drains to handle it.
The Churches, the Bells, and a Sunday in Rome
One of the greatest joys of our time in Rome was being there on a Sunday.
We spent time exploring the magnificent churches, and hearing church bells ringing in every direction. There is something special about being in a city where faith and history are so deeply woven into its identity.
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We started the day early in Saint Peter’s Basilica. We walked right in with no wait and no cost. It was ‘other-wordly’ magnificent.
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- Michelangelo helped design the dome, which you can climb for incredible views of the city. There is a fee (around 11-16 euro) to climb the dome.
- It’s one of the largest churches in the world.
- It took over 100 years to build.
- It was built over the burial site of the Apostle Peter.
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We also crossed Ponte Sant’Angelo, one of Rome’s most beautiful bridges that was built in 134 AD! What a thrill to walk across something that has been standing for nearly 1,900 years!
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Walking in the Footsteps of Paul
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Another highlight was visiting the church tied to the Apostle Paul’s imprisonment. Standing in a place connected to the early history of Christianity was really special. I couldn’t help but think about Paul’s courage, his faith, and the letters he wrote from Rome.
Paul arrived in Rome around AD 60, after appealing to Caesar and surviving a shipwreck on the way (Acts 27-28). He spent about two years under house arrest, but was free to welcome visitors and write. He wrote several New Testament letters during this time, including Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
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Unexpected Discoveries
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Did you know there are wild parakeets in Rome? I was walking along when I spotted them and literally stopped in my tracks to watch.
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I also loved discovering the little neighborhood cafes tucked along the streets. Sometimes the best part of exploring a city is simply wandering without a destination, finding a place to eat, and taking it all in.
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My Tips for Visiting Rome
A few things I learned that might help if you are planning a trip:
1. Get up early!
Rome in the early morning is magnificent. The streets are quiet and you can actually enjoy the city in peace and quiet. The crowds come out at lunch and stay all night.
2. Ask ChatGPT to plan a walking tour!
I wasn’t quite sure where to start when planning our time in Rome. I gave ChatGPT our available timeframe and asked it to create a walking route that included the major sights. It gave me an entire walking tour, complete with directions and historical information about each stop!
It was incredibly helpful. We were able to see so much without paying for an expensive private tour. I highly recommend trying this.
3. Bring an empty water bottle.
Rome has public drinking fountains called nasoni (named for their little nose-shaped spouts). They provide free, fresh drinking water throughout the city. You’ll find them in parks, squares, and along sidewalks.
4. Keep your valuables secure.
We felt very safe walking around Rome, including in the evenings, but we were mindful of pickpockets in busy tourist areas. I kept my phones in a small bag worn in front and left our passports secured in the hotel safe. We were able to use photos of our passports for our Colosseum visit (but I would check the current identification requirements before relying on that).
5. Give yourself time to wander.
Don’t fill every minute with scheduled attractions. Some of our favorite moments came from walking down beautiful streets, discovering a little restaurant, stopping to admire a building, or listening to the church bells.
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The Perfect Ending to Our Italian Adventure
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Rome was everything I hoped it would be and more.
The history, the architecture, the marble, the food, the churches, the bridges, and the sheer beauty of this city left me in awe. Ted and I hope to come back with our boys to rediscover this ancient city – there is so much to see and learn there.
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What to bring:
- Portable charger
- Adapter
- This bag
- This water bottle
- Comfy walking shoes
- Euros in 1s, 5s, 10s for Taxi rides and bathrooms (Most bathrooms cost $, instead, by a coffee or snack from a restaurant and use their bathroom.
- Hand sanitzer wipes
- Laundry detergent sheets
- Bars and snacks – though the food is amazing in Italy, there are times when you want to do MORE exploring and you are HUNGRY. Keeping bars and meat sticks in your bag is handy!
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After Florence, the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the beauty of the Amalfi Coast, Rome was the perfect final stop.
Twenty-five years of marriage, an incredible trip with Ted, and memories we will talk about for the rest of our lives…I’m so grateful for all of it.
Italy, you were a dream. And Rome? You were magnificent.
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Have you been to Rome? I’d love to hear your favorite spot in the comments!
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Want to read more about our trip through Italy? Click on the links below.
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