Weekend Getaway in the Eternal City

Rome is a city that never ceases to amaze: it's impossible to discover it in only few days. Here is just an itinerary of the most important and well-known places to visit if you have one weekend, but a longer and more detailed itinerary is coming soon!

COLOSSEO, THE ROMAN FORUM AND THE IMPERIAL FORUMS

Icon of Rome and monument of breathtaking beauty. the Colosseum is a stop that you absolutely cannot miss. As well as the Roman Forum and the Imperial Forums, among the most fascinating and famous archaeological areas in the world.

THE MONTI DISTRICT

Rione Monti is, in our opinion, one of the most bewitching districts of the city. Walking through the steep alleys of this district, among the ancient ivy-covered buildings, you can find art galleries and trendy clubs, but also small craft shops, vintage clothes shops and typical trattorias.

TREVI FOUNTAIN

The Trevi Fountain is the largest and most spectacular among the most important fountains in Rome. Having become one of the undisputed symbols of the city, the millions of tourists who visit the capital every year set the Trevi Fountain as a mandatory stop.

The coin toss has become a classic by now. Those who visit Rome must go to the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin into the central basin. This tradition must be performed by placing the back with the right hand on the left shoulder and with the eyes closed. If by turning around quickly, once the coin has been tossed, one manages to catch the moment in which the coin touches the water with one's gaze, one will surely return to Rome.

Piazza Navona.

PANTHEON

The Pantheon of Agrippa, also known as the Pantheon of Rome, is one of the architectural masterpieces present in the Italian capital, as well as the best preserved building of ancient Rome.

Did you know that the dome of the Pantheon is the largest concrete dome? This dome has a diameter of 43.44 m, the internal height, from floor to ceiling, equals the diameter, has a weight of 4535 tons and was also built without a steel frame inside.

SPANISH STEPS, THE STREETS OF FASHION AND SCALINATA TRINITA' DEI MONTI

In one word: elegance. Among the majestic palaces, the fountain by Pietro Bernini and the haute couture brands, elegance is the main feature of Piazza di Spagna. After a walk and a bit of shopping in the fashion streets, to work off the last carbonara or simply to enjoy the fantastic view, you have to walk the 135 steps that lead from this square to the Basilica della Trinità dei Monti.

ST. PETER'S SQUARE AND VATICAN MUSEUMS

Due to time constraints, we were unable to enter the monumental Basilica of San Pietro, but if you are not in a hurry, arm yourself with patience (the line is always very long) and visit it, it will be worth it! As for the Vatican Museums, however, by purchasing tickets online you will be able to (partially) avoid the crowds and let yourself be fascinated by one of the largest art collections in the world.

PIAZZA DEL POPOLO

Piazza del Popolo is one of the most beautiful urban antechambers in the world, located at the top of a triangle of streets known as the Trident (via del Babuino – via del Corso – via di Ripetta), and constitutes the grandest access to the heart of Rome. The door, through which this "living room" is accessed, is the ancient Porta Flaminia of the Aurelian Walls, so called because the ancient Via Flaminia exited from here, starting from the Fontinalis gate of the Servian Walls and heading towards the Milvian bridge.

CASTEL SANT'ANGELO

Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as Hadrian's mausoleum, is located on the right bank of the Tiber in front of the pons Aelius (current Sant'Angelo bridge), a short distance from the Vatican, between the districts of Borgo and that of Prati; it is connected to the Vatican State through the fortified corridor of the "passetto". The castle was radically modified several times in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Built around 123 AD. as a sepulcher for the emperor Hadrian and his family, in 2022 it received 966,623 visitors, making it one of the most visited museums in Italy.

What to eat? Some typical traditional dishes

• Pasta: carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe, gricia (rigatoni/mezze maniche/spaghetti)

• Carciofi alla Giudia

• Supplì

• Filetti di baccalà

• Coda alla vaccinara

• Puntarelle

We have suggested an itinerary for a weekend getaway, to see the most important places if you only have a few days to visit the Eternal City, but stay tuned... more news are coming soon!

Photos and texts © Claudia Spinato, 2023.