Taking a trip to Rome? Want to know some do’s and don’ts and tips for visiting one of the most incredible cities on earth? I’ve been visiting for years, so read on.
My daughter had just arrived in Rome at the Fiumicino airport to meet my mother and me, when I left off on my previous post.
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It was Mothers Day in Italy as it was in the US, so the three of us were happy to be spending it in Rome. We usually take the Leonardo Express (train) to and from the airport to the main train station of Termini, but I noticed the price had gone up to 14 euros (about $17 at the time).
It was a silly price for a such a short ride, that I looked into bus options. It didn’t take much to convince us the bus was our answer, and we hopped onto the Terravision bus for only FOUR euros, saving us 30 euros in total!
We checked into our hotel directly across from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore which is walking distance from the train station. Although the location is fantastic, I cannot recommend the Mecenate Palace Hotel for several reasons. However, the view from the top of the hotel (see the cappuccino photo above) is marvelous, and you don’t have to be a guest to go to the bar or restaurant there). Here is a B & B I highly recommend: Biancoreroma. The hosts were wonderful!
Having been to Rome countless times, the following is a list of some of my own
~ DO’S* and DON’TS for your trip to Rome ~
DO have antipasto, bread and wine with your meal. Or even as your meal!
DO walk the city at night.
DO take multi-generational selfies in front of landmarks.
DON’T miss the opportunity to pose in front of the Colosseum if it happens to be lit up in your favorite color!
DO try a hot chocolate (but DON’T order a cappuccino in the afternoon or evening).
DO make sure you know the back of a building from the front so that you can actually go inside. Because–what you thought was the front for years and years, was actually the back (!) And you always thought it wasn’t open to the public, so you were never able to go inside to admire the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. (Not that I’d know anything about this 🙄)
DON’T wear shorts or tank tops to churches. If you do, most times you won’t be allowed to enter. For many of us, it’s a long way to travel on a trip to Rome, only to be denied entry at the last second for something that’s easily avoidable.
DO look for typical Italian scenes, which offer great photo opportunities, in mundane places.
DON’T miss walking into any and/or all churches in Rome. Each one is more awe-inspiring than the last.
DO still visit the touristy places and sights, especially if you’ve never seen them before.
DON’T forget your sunglasses!
DO look for a different perspective at popular landmarks.
DO stay hydrated in summer and drink from the public fountains (refill a water bottle). The water is fresh and cool!
DON’T miss stopping by Antica Salumeria in front of the Pantheon, even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s an experience just popping into this shop.
When I walked in, it was like cheese and salumi heaven. I floated towards the back of the shop while my mother was magnetized by packages of dehydrated porcini mushrooms (I think she bought all they had). I entered another room with more cheese and prosciutti hanging from the ceiling, and bottles and bottles of wine on a nearby wall.
In Italian, I confessed to the adorable man behind the counter, “I don’t ever want to leave! Close the door, lock it up, and throw away the key!” To which he erupted into laughter and replied, “Ha ha ha! There is no door!”
I learned his name was Cosimo and he invited me behind the counter for a photo. Who could resist this?
I’d be this happy if I worked here, too!
Oh, they also have bread and pizza! Everyone in this shop was lovely; DON’T miss it!
Speaking of pizza, DO pop into Pizzeria Via Florida, located between Campo dei Fiori and the Roman Forum, for a slice (or three) of incredibly tasty pizza!
DO stop by Campo dei Fiori for a fresh fruit snack.
DO stop by Ricami Veronica, right next to Campo dei Fiori, for the cutest personalized and useful gifts such as bathrobes, children’s clothing, aprons, and kitchen linens.
Sabrina is very talented and has a great sense of humor! Click her photo below to see her in action.
DO stroll along the Tiber River (Il Tevere, in Italian).
DON’T forget to eat gelato! When searching for a gelateria, avoid any that are near to any tourist attraction, public transportation depot, or monuments. DO look for shops which serve gelati from closed containers versus ones which “show off” their rainbow colored gelati in high mounds in the windows, including bright blue Smurf gelato. Ugh.
DO walk as much as possible in Rome (if you are able) as you will see much more, but DON’T wear uncomfortable shoes.
DO make a reservation at La Carbonara (on Via Panisperna) for great pasta and wine. Of course, I had to try their Spaghetti alla Carbonara and it was marvelous!
Even Robert De Niro approves.
DON’T be impatient when taking photos. Wait for people to move and traffic to clear. It’s worth it.
(PLEASE) DON’T eat at McDonald’s (or Subway, or Starbucks, or–you get my drift) when there is so much amazing and real food in Rome.
DO rent a car and explore more of Italy on your trip to Rome.
However, DO NOT drive in Rome; I can attest to how nerve-wracking it is! Besides other reasons, there is now a central zone where you will be ticketed without a proper pass.
NEXT POST ~ Driving in Lazio: Frascati, Sora and Gaeta
This is not a sponsored post. I paid for all of our accommodations, meals and purchases.
*FYI, if you are a punctuation “nazi”, then please note that I realize that DO’S should actually be written as DOS. However, as you can see, I think it’s too confusing not to have the apostrophe (it looks like the number two in Spanish). The Associated Press and others recommend using the apostrophe in this case, so that’s why it’s there.
Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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trip to Rome
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I want to hop on the first flight to Rome after seeing this!
I’ll join you, Cathy! :)
Thanks for the afternoon visit to Rome. I missed some of those do’s on my last trip, so definitely time to return!
Haha, Kelly! I’m sure everyone misses a couple of those “dos”! ;)
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What a great tour of Rome. I missed some I the sites so I guess that means I’ll have to return. So funny that the shop doesn’t have a door.
The shop has a door, but he meant there’s no door to the back room! Who noticed if there was a door or not with all those delicacies hanging from the ceiling and walls?!!?
I had to laugh at your very last line about punctuation! I loved this whole piece except that it was a quick trip. There is so much to do there that I would hate to do it quickly! :) Rome has grown to be my favorite city in all if Italy… Sigh…
Haha! Yes, you’d appreciate that punctuation comment, David! Yes, I agree, but with family so nearby, we’re never “allowed” to stay in Rome for too long!
Stunning pictures..they really make me want to go back to Rome. And paint!
Thank you!!
That’s quite the compliment coming from you! Thank you and I hope you get to visit soon, Carol!
What a great list! I’m not surprised that you got to go behind the counter to snap more photos! You forgot one big DON’T; DON’T forget your stretchy pants! I gained about 5 pounds after 2 weeks in Italy…the pizza, pasta and gelato had NOTHING to do with it though! ? BTW….I looked at ALL the photos!
Thanks, Cynthia! Haha, stretchy pants! ;) Thanks for looking at ALL the photos!
I bow with great admiration and respect for such awesome and elegant presentation …would kindly when you visit Italy again remember that you have a Fan follower ho loves Italy from North to South… Amo L’Italia.. your post and recipes are saved, shared and posted to my social media accounts. Fiorino
You are much too kind, Fiorino! I really appreciate your comments and shares! :) Happy weekend!
Ah the memories… you probably know, I lived in Rome for over 10 years and I get a bit teary-eyed when I see photos of it. The truth is, I haven’t been back in a very long time. But I’ll let you in on a little secret—there’s a (slight) chance I might be moving back there. Nice to see it’s still there, just as I remember it, maybe a bit more beautiful.
And yes, Santa Maria Maggiore is a confusing building!
Oh goodness! You haven’t been back in a long time? But you are on the east coast and it’s truly almost as quick as flying to the west coast! That would be lovely for you to move back as I’m sure you miss it (and the food) immensely!
Glad you said that about Santa Maria, as I felt like an idiot when I realized what I’d been doing all these years!
Loved your suggested dos and don’ts list! The lighting and and food from your picture with Cosimo in the salumi shop made it look heavenly. Floor to ceiling beautiful food–and such a congenial shop owner–you can’t miss:)
Thank you so much! I’m glad the atmosphere shone through on the photo, Maria! It was the most incredible room!!
I love Roma and your post! We were also in Italia on Mother’s Day :D
Angela
Really? What a coincidence, unless of course you live there! haha! Thank you, Angela! It was a bit of a fun post. I need to go back and visit Cosimo!! :)