The Modern Nomads

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City! With its rich tapestry of history, art, and culture, Rome stands as a timeless beacon of civilization. From the awe-inspiring Colosseum to the grandeur of the Vatican City, this vibrant metropolis seamlessly intertwines ancient marvels with modern sophistication. Whether you are wanting to wander through cobblestone streets, savor delectable Italian cuisine, or immerse yourself in the remnants of a bygone era, Rome has got you covered!

I am going to be honest, when we first arrived to Rome we were less than impressed. Part of this was because our hotel was located in what is called the Termini Station & Hotel District. This area was loud, dirty and kind of obnoxious. We really didn’t give a good first impression when we arrived!

While the area around Termini Station wasn’t the highlight of our trip, it is a pretty good location in regards to access to public transportation and making it easy get to all the things you want to see when visiting Rome.

Touring the Eternal City

There are always a list of top things that you want to see when visiting such a historical place and Rome was no different. We had 5 days in this city and while I could go on and on about everything we saw and I won’t write about everything but I have listed a few highlights below:

• The Colosseum: This ancient amphitheater embodies Rome’s grandeur and history, offering a glimpse into the city’s past gladiator battles and events. This monstrosity is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built (opening in 80 AD), and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world!

• The Vatican City: Home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums, it’s a spiritual and artistic epicenter within Rome. This was one of our favorite days while in Rome. The Vatican City was remarkable. There was a service going on while we were at St. Peter’s Basilica which was unusual for the day and time from what our guide said so we were glad to have been able to witness that. And of course there are some of the most spectacular areas, like the Sistine chapel, that photography was not allowed. We learned so much from our guide and during our tour of the Vatican City! Definitely a highlight of our time in Rome!

• The Pantheon: A remarkable architectural marvel, this ancient temple-turned-church boasts a stunning dome and a timeless design. While the building is square on the outside, it is circular on the inside, and the dome ceiling is actually open at the top. So when it rains it actually rains inside the Pantheon (which I found super interesting!)

• Trevi Fountain: A Baroque masterpiece, this grand fountain is not only an architectural wonder but also a traditional spot for tossing a coin to ensure a return to Rome. When we arrived the fountain was actually off for cleaning, but we hung out for a while and before too long it was turned back on and we were able to see it running in all its glory! The photo below of the worked inside the photo while they were cleaning it shows just how large this fountain is!

• The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola (Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Italian) may be one of Rome’s lesser-known attractions, but it is worth talking about. The interior of this incredible 17th century baroque church is considered one to the best in all of Rome. The photo below is of the ceiling and while it may look like a dome at first glance, this is actually a painting on a flat ceiling to give the illusion of a dome!

I could spend hours talking about everything we visited while in Rome so let’s just say there is plenty to keep you busy! And while there are all of the iconic points of interest, there is so much more. The museums, the churches (over 900 if you are curious how many), the art, the historic squares, there is just so much.

Nom Nom Nom

As with many places we visit I like to mention the local cuisine. These dishes are representative of Rome’s culinary heritage and are must-tries for a truly authentic taste of the city.

• Cacio e Pepe: A simple yet delicious pasta dish made with Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.
• Carbonara: Spaghetti with a creamy sauce of eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, pancetta, and black pepper.
• Supplì: Deep-fried rice balls filled with mozzarella, tomato sauce, and sometimes ground beef. There are many different versions and we tried several places with Duppli del Coronari being our favorite shop!
• Roman-style artichokes (Carciofi alla Romana): Artichokes cooked with herbs and seasoned with lemon, typically braised until tender.
• Saltimbocca alla Romana: Thin slices of veal cooked with prosciutto and sage, usually in a white wine and butter sauce.
• Pizza Romana: Thin-crust pizza usually topped with simple ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.

Rome was the last stop on our itinerary for Italy. It was an amazing 2 months! We visited over 18 cities while in Italy and feel like we have covered most of the highlights we were hoping to during our visit. Next stop Egypt!