ROME
First city that comes to our mind when thinking about Italy? ROME! At least for us, it was incredible intense few days that we spend in the “Eternal City”. As the place with the rich history and the background for many movies, Rome has become the iconic place for all of us looking for the la dolce vita experience. During our stay in August 2023 we hoped for that as well!
After arriving in Rome, we headed straight to the historical part of the city. First goal was to see the Colosseum. No words can describe impression it made on us, especially in the sun lights during the golden hour. As the sun dips, both iconic spots – the Colosseum and the Triumphal Arch light up and their ancient stones were glowing in the camera. Another short walk led us to the Palatine Hill, where panoramic views of the city was even more magical.
With just a short walk, we headed to the Roman Forum, the ancient heart of Rome – once the center of political, religious, and social life. Now the modern life can be observed in the shadows of the monumental Palazzo di Venezia. Walking through these timeless streets, we can feel the layers of history beneath our feet. Nevertheless, we could not help but noticed that there were insane crowds at this time of the year, basically everywhere. With the combination of the incredible heat, this crowded places made the sightseeing and photo shooting even more demanding. Unfortunately, this impression has not left us during our whole stay.
There was no time to waste, as the list of iconic places to visit was still long. We spend the next day exploring Vatican City. The smallest independent state in the world and the spiritual center of the Catholic Church has welcomed us with incredible long queue in Piazza San Pietro, in order to get to the St. Peter’s Basilica. Nevertheless, it was worth waiting, as one of the largest and most important churches globally, offers breathtaking art – including Bernini’s magnificent baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture. Free of charge!
Day three was dedicated to exploring Rome’s charming squares. We started with Pantheon, but shortly it turn out it was impossible to even stay there due to the incredible amount of tourists. So we headed to the Di Trevi Fountain, tossing a coin to ensure our return to Rome, hopefully in less crowded period of the year. Fingers crossed for that! Maybe the days were not perfect for sightseeing, but it definitely does not change our love for Italian food. So we spend the evenings looking for perfect Cacio e Pepe, a pasta made with pecorino cheese and black pepper, and Carbonara, a rich blend of eggs, pancetta, and cheese. Not forgetting pizza, gelato e dolci!
Our stay in Rome would be incomplete without some viewpoints photos. We were hoping for some at the Piazza del Popolo, surprisingly known for its central Egyptian obelisk. For stunning views, we headed up to the Pincio Terrace just above the piazza. From here, we could admire the rooftops of Rome, including landmarks like St. Peter’s Basilica.
If you are not willing to be lost in the streets of Rome, what’s the point to even go to the city. These technique led us to the Piazza di Spagna. The square is best known for the elegant Spanish Steps. At the base of the steps, the charming Fontana della Barcaccia is located, sculpted by Bernini. The neighborhood there was full of the cafes and other hidden gems!
To describe the whole wonders of the Rome is not an easy tasks. Within a few days stay we had a chance to explore just a part of this city and it has indeed much more to offer. As the old saying goes, all roads lead to Rome, so we will for sure cross our ways many times again!
