« Rome❤️
Long awaited Rome! Early in the morning we set out and rushed to the Vatican! Why rush?! Because the time is limited, and we wanted to see everything!!! It was about 1.5 km from our hotel, and we walked since finding parking in Rome is a challenge... it was hot, but we had a goal))) Upon arriving at the Vatican, there were a million people!!!! What was required? To wait)))
The line to get in was enormous!!! But a lovely woman approached us, who offered us a tour in English, along with a special pass to skip the line) Of course, we agreed)) The group gathered quickly, and once inside the Vatican, everyone dispersed quickly, and we were on our way))) Getting through with a group was practically impossible without a guide, so we passed through the museum with some shortcuts))) I won't write about the beauty and how everything is amazing there, you can imagine))
In the end, we were invited to see the Sistine Chapel, and beforehand, the guide explained the rules – no talking, no photography... we, as usual, prepared to enjoy the masterpiece... as we entered, there was noise, chatter, clicking cameras... in general, everyone seemed to completely ignore the rules)))) It honestly kind of shocked me... I thought only tourists would do that 🫣
Then we were offered to take a break at the viewing platform, but we got pushed back in line 😤. We decided it was essential to stay focused!!!!
After exploring the Vatican, we decided to indulge in the most delicious pizza, dessert, and prosecco 🥂💗 since we were in Rome)))
As it was all one museum, we figured we still had some energy left and headed to the Roman Forum. Naturally, we walked there, and at the forum, the heat was unbearable... but we still strolled around and enjoyed ourselves)))
I'm sharing this story and just recalling that feeling of euphoria!!! Energy is all around!!!
On the way back to the metro.... we popped into a store, bought some local souvenirs, and set off to recharge our energies for the next day!!!! »
2- I was feeling physically unwell,
3- The energy was overwhelming, disruptive.
4- I immediately wanted to read about Caligula and rewatch all the Gladiator films. »
Long awaited Rome! Early in the morning we set out and rushed to the Vatican! Why rush?! Because the time is limited, and we wanted to see everything!!! It was about 1.5 km from our hotel, and we walked since finding parking in Rome is a challenge... it was hot, but we had a goal))) Upon arriving at the Vatican, there were a million people!!!! What was required? To wait)))
The line to get in was enormous!!! But a lovely woman approached us, who offered us a tour in English, along with a special pass to skip the line) Of course, we agreed)) The group gathered quickly, and once inside the Vatican, everyone dispersed quickly, and we were on our way))) Getting through with a group was practically impossible without a guide, so we passed through the museum with some shortcuts))) I won't write about the beauty and how everything is amazing there, you can imagine))
In the end, we were invited to see the Sistine Chapel, and beforehand, the guide explained the rules – no talking, no photography... we, as usual, prepared to enjoy the masterpiece... as we entered, there was noise, chatter, clicking cameras... in general, everyone seemed to completely ignore the rules)))) It honestly kind of shocked me... I thought only tourists would do that 🫣
Then we were offered to take a break at the viewing platform, but we got pushed back in line 😤. We decided it was essential to stay focused!!!!
After exploring the Vatican, we decided to indulge in the most delicious pizza, dessert, and prosecco 🥂💗 since we were in Rome)))
As it was all one museum, we figured we still had some energy left and headed to the Roman Forum. Naturally, we walked there, and at the forum, the heat was unbearable... but we still strolled around and enjoyed ourselves)))
I'm sharing this story and just recalling that feeling of euphoria!!! Energy is all around!!!
On the way back to the metro.... we popped into a store, bought some local souvenirs, and set off to recharge our energies for the next day!!!! »
We checked out everything we could, even the Trevi Fountain twice 😄. And we even saw how they clean it 🤑. It was great to stroll around when there were fewer people. And we got lucky! Although it was under the rain 🌧️.
Accessibility is great, everything is nearby, which is awesome because it's easy to see them all in a day. Of course, we didn't make it to the Vatican, but we did manage to hit Trajan's Market, the Colosseum, the Temple of Peace, the Roman Forum, and, of course, the Pantheon (which is magnificent), from there to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. And all the shops! My God, there are brands at every turn that are hard to resist 😩.
The number of tourists during the off-season is overwhelming. What a summer it must be! 😱
All in all, I wasn’t entirely taken by the hustle and bustle. But Rome itself is powerful and monumental, no doubt about it. The journey back was easy too.
We took the metro. Thank goodness it's just a short walk from the hotel. The Napoleone hotel. If you’re planning to book, be sure to take a look at it! The location is perfect! »
Style and elegance, even in flip-flops 😄, especially when it's 50 degrees outside. These Italians are stunning 😍. Just for the style, I’d love to visit Italy to see how men dress here! »
Rome is a living history of many epochs, where one layer of history is laid over another, starting from ancient Rome to the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, filled with astonishing masterpieces by legendary artists like Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Bernini, and many others, not to mention the lasting influences of the Napoleonic era and Mussolini's reign.
I am at a loss for words to describe what I saw during these days. It's hard to believe that all this beauty has been preserved to modern times. I felt a genuine connection to history, to structures that are over 2000 years old!!! This time, I truly fell in love with history and art!
I know a lot about Rome and can share some tips on how to navigate as a tourist, what you should see and where to find great spots! Rome is a city where every step brings reminders of the grandeur of its past and its rich history! It’s an eternal city, older than many of the museums in the Western world!
P.S. I feel like I barely scratched the surface of all that Rome has to offer, perhaps even 20% of what's possible to see here. »
On every small square, you’re bound to find a fountain, and on the larger squares, like Piazza del Popolo, they take center stage. And don’t forget the ancient obelisk in the middle – that’s a must-see!
The fountains are a delightful spot not just for tourists who flock to see them, but also for the locals, with doves fluttering around and real birds adding a touch of life. Occasionally, you might find some surprises, like huge turtles 🐢. At the end, there's the famous De' Trevi fountain. 🏛️💧 »
We booked our trip to Rome a while back, initially thinking we’d go in summer, but when summer rolled around, we decided against it due to the heat—temperatures soaring to +104°F and sweltering sun with throngs of tourists made it seem less appealing 😩.
We postponed our trip to September, but even then, we caught some nasty weather during our stay in Rome. And thank goodness for that! Those days turned out to be quite rainy and even chilly—definitely not the typical summer vibe 😅. September was more reminiscent of November. We faced strong downpours and it felt really cold; definitely not the relaxed summer atmosphere we had anticipated.
Anyway, here are my impressions of Rome. Rome is an extraordinary city with an immense heritage filled with architectural masterpieces and a unique atmosphere. I found myself frequently captivated by its vibe, debating whether I liked it or not. I felt like I needed to soak in the city's atmosphere and enjoy its Roman-like charm.
I was already unsure about what to expect, having read a mix of contrasting reviews 🤔. Some people were raving about it being the most beautiful city in the world, while others warned that it's quite dirty with trash everywhere. To be honest, I didn't notice any of the downsides others mentioned. As for cleanliness, we didn't really pay much attention since we were too busy enjoying the sights.
So, don’t take any reviews seriously—just travel, see the city through your own eyes, and explore without preconceptions. Allow yourself to be amazed, to marvel, and sometimes, it's okay to feel disappointed without fixating on the negatives.
Another note: we were very happy that tourism was relatively low when we visited, which made for a more pleasant experience. For instance, we didn't encounter any issues visiting the Vatican museums; we easily bought our tickets and didn’t have to wait in any lines! »
Overall, the feelings are incredible! I also heard that if you stand directly under this opening, a person just sheds all their sins 🤔🧘♀️ Personally, I think it's a bit too simple to be true 😅 »
In the center, there is the Fountain of the Four Rivers 🌊 - a sculptural masterpiece by Bernini. The statues represent four rivers from four corners of the globe: the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube, and the La Plata. 🏞️
In ancient times, this square housed a stadium where athletic competitions were held. 🏃♂️ »