Everything you need to know when planning your next trip to Rome: The Eternal City!

All roads lead to Rome, and I think I walked just about every last one of them. That’s what tends to happen when you book a flight to a foreign country six weeks in advance. By now y’all should know I’m not new to this, I’m true to this style of travel. There’s something so invigorating and confirming in our own abilities to do a bare minimum level of research about a country and just pop up on the scene. Prioritize your safety, then allow the adventure to guide you. Italy followed the same strategy. I originally bought a flight to New Zealand (how could I not? $660 roundtrip from Pittsburgh to Auckland on Cyber Tuesday, aka the steal of the century), but when friends decided to do a last-minute cabin weekend, I audibled.

This left me with a Delta flight voucher, approved PTO, and a dream. A dream that solely consisted of pasta and pizza and glasses of Vermentino. So I ended up in Rome with little planning, 4 years of rusty high school Italian, and a folder of saved TikToks. Which I now consolidate and gift to you as a manic girl’s Roman Holiday. Use this Rome itinerary for your next trip, so your mother doesn’t have extra reason to panic throughout your travels.

The True Breakfast of Champions

It’s the continental breakfast. Argue with your mother (and update her that you’ve arrived safely). When booking a European hotel, I look for two details: bed arrangement and style of breakfast. The first only applies when traveling with a group, as the twin bed rooms always mess me up. More importantly is the food. Most hotels include breakfast in the cost of the room, but look a little deeper into the serving style. I’m a huge fan of a continental breakfast – they’re lean and high in protein, so you feel full longer. If traveling with a large, diverse party, there is something for everyone. Plus, they tend to serve until later in the morning, so if you get hit by the jetlag bug, you can sleep in knowing a pain au chocolat is waiting for your downstairs.

I stayed at The Regency, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott. I chose this location because of the reviews of cleanliness, the breakfast, their gorgeous, renovated bathrooms, location, and breakfast. The staff was also kind and helpful, offering to take extra care of my transportation and luggage after seeing I’m a solo traveler.

Sights Lizzie McGuire Skipped

First up on our walking tour of Rome is the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. Couch potatoes can relax, they’re a quick and easy (read: flat) walk from one another. If you haven’t been meeting your fitness goals, yet still want to explore the city by foot, this is a cake walk. Literally – we stop for tiramisu next. I walked between both spots at different points during the day, and my clearcut favorite was Golden Hour. Just before sunset, you’ll get perfect lighting to take the most stunning photos. The water at the fountain will shimmer, you’ll catch reflections off all the marble. It’s truly picturesque.

Just be forewarned that every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the fountain is cleaned between 6-10 AM should you want to beat the morning crowds. And while I don’t recommend any of the restaurants around the Pantheon, it’s worth considering taking a load off for a limoncello spritz on one of the patios.

Two Sizes… OF FUN

Around the corner from the Pantheon is some of the best tiramisu in the city. That’s not my opinion, it’s the Romans’. Two Sizes features exactly that – two sizes of tiramisu. In a multitude of flavors: original, peanut butter, strawberry, caramel, pistachio (my personal favorite). Did I mention that they also sell cannoli? Yeah. Now some people might argue that I added tiramisu to the middle of the day when it should be reserved for dessert. To which I challenge you to pull the stick out and live, because what Rome itinerary wouldn’t highlight desserts? A bad one. I challenge you to eat one tiramisu before dinner and one after. You won’t…

A Literary Renaissance

So you had a mid-day tiramisu, big deal. But if you’re feeling guilty (even though calories on vacation don’t count), let’s get some extra steps in. This time, I literally mean steps, because we’re climbing to the enchanting, jaw-dropping third floor of Spazio Sette Libreria, a bookstore in a preserved Renaissance castle. But before the third floor’s big reveal, Spazio Sette has much to discuss. Spazio Sette Libreria is a fascinating cultural venue located in the heart of Rome’s historic center, near Largo Argentina.

The first two floors feature nearly every genre of literature you could imagine, as well as a cafe for book clubs, WFHers, and parents with their children. This newer bookshop (June 2022) occupies the prestigious Palazzo Cavallerini Lazzaroni, a Renaissance building, a unique and innovative restoration project showcasing both traditional and modern design. The third floor, aka the main event, features original ceiling murals from the 1700’s. The night I visited, the space hosted a author’s reading of their new release. Even if ciao is the extent of your Italian fluency, it’s definitely worth checking out. And if you’re looking for other jaw-dropping bookstores across Italy, check the link! My personal favorite: Cinema Odeon in Florence.

Time for a Carb Coma

It’s been a long day of exploring. I know your feet are hurting, your stomach is growling, and you just want a bowl or two of pasta. I appreciate your trust and patience, because who would trust a Rome itinerary without pasta? You’ll be happy you’ve made it this far when you finally see the menu at Da Enzo al 29. It’s a family-owned restaurant in Trastevere serving Roman favorites: arrabiata, carbonara, lasagna, cacio e pepe.

Based on the season of your visit, they’ll also feature daily specials, like fried whole artichokes. Everything is homemade, the atmosphere is chaotic, and there’s nothing bad on the menu. Just make sure you show up right when they open. Otherwise, you might find yourself waiting a while. Although, this isn’t the worst line in the world. There is a waiter whose sole purpose is to bring out wine, beer, and spritzes to folks waiting in line. La dolce vita indeed!

If you find yourself exploring more of Italy than just the short time I spent in Rome, check out my Florence itinerary!