All Roads Led to Rome (And Pasta)

 

Rome wasn't built in a day - but we sure conquered it in six. We jam-packed exploring into a short amount of time, but wouldn't have it any other way. From the rich history and iconic landmarks to delicious food, we made the most of our short visit and left with a full camera roll and lifelong memories. 

Where We Stayed: Navona Theatre Hotel

In a city that was founded in 753 BC, light years before cars were invented, it's no surprise that Rome is built for walking. We kept that in mind when choosing where to stay. Piazza Navona is centrally located to everything we wanted to see, which made the Navona Theatre Hotel an easy choice. 

We took a car from the airport - a smart move since the roads are cobblestone, and rolling suitcases weren't exactly made for ancient streets.  

The hotel itself had a modern interior, which contrasted with the historic charm of the city outside. One fun touch? As we made our way to the room, sculpture heads lined the corridor like a Roman welcome party. Jeff had to try and imitate them - and yes, I got pictures.  

Day One: 

As soon as we got checked into our hotel, we couldn't wait to start exploring. We quickly changed clothes - because you know I travel in comfort, not cute clothes - so I needed to get a cute outfit on. We laced up our walking shoes and hit the cobblestone streets, starting with Piazza Navona, which was just around the corner from our hotel. In need of a snack, we knew gelato was a must. 

Strolling through the streets, there was something charming around every corner. We stumbled upon picturesque scenes everywhere we went. One of our favorites was Fontana del Palazzo di Giustizia, the stunning Palace of Justice - home of the Supreme Court. Built starting in 1889, it's not just a government building, but a piece of history in its own right. 

When it was time to take a break, we found ourselves surrounded by a dozen options and energetic hosts trying to win us over. We landed on Saltimbocca Vino E Cucina for some sangria and pizza. At the end of our meal, the waiter surprised us with small shot glasses of what we thought was a complimentary alcoholic drink - turns out, it was digestive juice! We laughed, thinking they were just celebrating us being in Rome (just kidding...kind of). 

All fueled up, we began making our way back to our hotel when we caught one of the most beautiful sunsets over the historic rooftops. It gave us a second wind, and we weren't quite ready for our first day to end. So we wandered around the corner for a night cap - the perfect ending to the perfect day.

Day Two:

Our second day, we woke up energized and ready for a full day of sightseeing. We started at the Pantheon, a temple dedicated to twelve gods and the final resting place to many historically significant figures - including Raphael, one of the greatest architects of the Renaissance era. The space remains an active church today, renamed the Basilica of Sant Maria ad Martyres, and visitors are welcome to join a worship service. Whether you're walking through on your own or with a guide, the history of this structure is both breathtaking and fascinating. 

Just a short walk away is the Trevi Fountain - a must-see on my list so I could have a second to live out my Lizzie McGuire moment. Built in 19 BC, the Aqua Virgo aqueduct supplied clean water to ancient Rome for over 400 years and still feeds the fountain to this day. 

Continuing on our self-guided adventure, we made our way to Altare della Patria, a national monument built beginning in 1885 to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. The monument's name translates to Altar of Fatherhood, and it includes an altar to the Roma goddess and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As we made our way around the grounds and climbed to the top, we were rewarded with an impressive view of the Roman Forum - a moment that was truly unforgettable. 

We were just about ready for a lunch break when we stumbled upon the Giardini di Palazzo Venezia - a peaceful community garden tucked away in the heart of the city. Like I said, in Rome, history and hidden gems await around every corner. Once the courtyard of a 15th-century palace, the garden is now home to a diverse collection of plants, including contributions from the renowned botanist Pavia Pietro Romualdo Pirotta. It was the perfect unexpected pause in our day.

We made our way back to the Pantheon for lunch at Tempio Bar, where we enjoyed pasta with a view of the iconic landmark - truly a meal with a backdrop. We needed to fuel up before our highly anticipated guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. 

We met our group just outside the Colosseum and, of course, had to take as many pictures as possible. While some visitors were just there to snap a photo for Instagram and leave, we were there to soak up the history. The tour didn't disappoint. We learned how the Colosseum is almost always undergoing restoration to preserve it for future generations. Fun fact: it was originally entirely covered in marble. Can you imagine the grandeur of that? Pure white marble - talk about upkeep! Inside, we discovered how seating determined by social status, making it easy to see and be seen in ancient times. 

A short walk later, we arrived at the Roman Forum, led by our knowledgable guide. Though many of the structures now appear as ruins, the stories they hold are anything but broken. From the political heart of ancient Rome to the place believed to be where Paul was imprisoned, the grounds were awe-inspiring. It was powerful to stand where so much history unfolded.

After the tour - and the heat - we were ready for a well-deserved break. We stopped at a nearby restaurant to rest our feet and indulge in a refreshing drink and a trio of bruschetta. 

On the walk back to our hotel, we stumbled across more photo opps and statues for Jeff to imitate - his specialty at this point. 

As we made our way back to Piazza Navona, we were physically tired but still buzzing from the day's adventures. Another delicious pasta dinner (because...when in Italy), and a cozy nightcap at Bacarro under glowing patio lights, was the perfect ending. A full day of timeless memories we'll always treasure. 

Day Three:

Another beautiful day in Rome! We were moving a little slower this morning after how active we'd been the day before, so we were in need of a good morning pick-me-up - a.k.a coffee (Except Jeff doesn't drink coffee...he's seriously missing out). 

We decided to walk to the Vatican for our tour, just in case we stumbled upon another adventure around the corner. Before our visit, we looked up the dress code requirements: women need to have their shoulders and knees covered, and men must wear pants and a collared shirt out of respect for the Vatican's traditions. Since we visited in August, it was hot - especially for Jeff - but, thankfully, much of the tour was indoors. 

Our guided tour took us through the Vatican grounds, the main museum buildings, the Sistine Chapel and finally into St. Peter's Basilica. These halls have held decades of popes, art, and rich traditions. Every room was filled with intricate paintings, massive tapestries, and ornate detailing around every turn. 

We ended our tour inside St. Peter's Basilica, and it was unlike any church I've ever seen. The black and gold accents were jaw-dropping. From the altars and baptismal fonts to towering statues and detailed mosaic flooring, we were honestly speechless. 

Still on a high from the tour, we hadn't realized how hungry we were. With so many great food options around us, we decided to go with a progressive dinner. We kicked things off with a crispy potato appetizer, then made our way to Passetto for our main course. We couldn't leave Rome without trying cacio e pepe - simple but flavorful pasta with black pepper and cheese. We wrapped up over evening with cannolis at a restaurant overlooking Piazza Navona - a sweet end to a delicious day. 

And of course, we couldn't end the day without Jeff imitating another statue. A Rome tradition by now.

Day Four:

After several packed days, we felt like we'd crossed off most of what we wanted to see in Rome. So by day four, we were ready to escape the city and see what an Italian winery had to offer. 

Before meeting up with our tour group, we stopped for lunch at Le Foodie Cafe Bistrot - and let me tell you, the atmosphere sold us before the food even hit the table. The screened-in patio felt like a breath of fresh air and was the perfect intro to a different side of the city. 

Once we were fueled up, we joined our tour and hopped on a bus that took us farther out into the Frascati countryside. Along the way, we passed stunning views of the Italian landscape and learned about how the region's soil influences the growth and flavor of the grapes. Our destination: Principe Pallavinci Winery. The tour took us through the scenic grounds and down into the cellars, where we learned about the wine's rich history and winemaking process. We finished with a wine tasting and fresh bread with olive oil - wine and bread? These are my kind of people. 

True to our style, when the bus dropped us back off in the city, we weren't ready to call it a day. We walked around some more, and wouldn't you know it - Jeff found the Monument of St. Francis of Assisi, which we nicknamed "Football Jesus." Naturally, Jeff nailed another statue impression. Classic.  

As the sun began to set, we went looking for dinner and ended up at La Reginella, where we indulged in another round of much-needed pasta. But, we weren't just ending the night with dinner - we had something important to celebrate at midnight...Jeff's birthday! 

We made our way to Campo de Fiori, which was a public square alive with music and lined with restaurants and bars. We decided to kick off Jeff's birthday with our own version of an Italian pub crawl - a drink at one place, then on to the next. The vibes were high, the conversations were deep, and the moment was just right.

Funny story: as midnight approached, I asked if we could get a celebratory shot for Jeff's birthday. Apparently, shots might be more of an American thing because I got a very confused look in return. Eventually, they handed me a small glass of something mysterious. I assumed it was something alcoholic...but nope - it was another shot of digestive juice. 

"Happy Birthday, Jeff - cheers to clean digestion!"

Day Five:

We were in need of a slower morning, so we let ourselves slept in and had a relaxed start to the day. Brunch turned into more of a late lunch, where we enjoyed a trio of bruschetta - one of which included sardines. Let's just say, that one was not our favorite. But we're always open to trying new things...now we know sardine bruschetta won't be making our future food list. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling my best, so we had a quiet afternoon at the hotel to rest and recharge before our evening plans: a pasta-making class! Thankfully, it was just down the street from our hotel (though I believe they've moved locations since). 

The class was held on a covered rooftop, surrounded by other vacationing couples, and the setting couldn't have been more perfect. We learned how to make our own homemade pasta from scratch. Fun fact: all you need is flour and an egg. Seriously, that's it. We used a fork to whisk it all together - no fancy tools required, which completely blew our minds. 

We rolled out the dough to make homemade ravioli for our first dish, followed by fresh fettuccine noodles. While the master chefs took over the cooking, we set the table and got ready to enjoy the fruits of our labor. And let me tell you - it was absolutely delicious. Maybe it tasted even better because we did the hard work ourselves, but it was so worth it. It ended up being the perfect way to celebrate Jeff's birthday, and he even got his birthday gift: the pasta recipes (even though I'm usually doing the one doing the cooking at home!). 

Since I'd spent part of the day resting, I wanted to rally for one last toast to Jeff. We wrapped up the night with a nightcap at Coronari, the perfect final touch to an evening of celebration. 

Day Six:

It was bittersweet waking up knowing it was our last full day in Rome. This city had quickly won us over - with its charm, history, and unforgettable adventures around every corner. 

To fuel up for the day, we shared some calamari and pizza - because what's more Italian than that? 

The last stop on our list was Castel Sant'Angelo, a historic fortress with a rich and varied past. We didn't book a tour in advance and chose to explore at our own pace. Originally constructed in 135 AD as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, it was later repurposed during times of conflict, even acting as a refuge for popes during sieges. Today, it stands as a museum, telling the stories of its layered history. We wandered through the halls and around the grounds, eventually making our way to the rooftop for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. It was one of those quiet, reflective moments where we just take it all in. 

After our visit, our stomachs reminded us it was time to eat again, so we decided on Fiaschetteria Beltramme for one last bowl of cacio e pepe - because when in Rome...

To walk off our meal and soak in the city one last time, we took the scenic route back to the hotel. Along the way, we stumbled upon a group of musicians playing in the street. Their music echoed beautifully through the alleyways, drawing in passersby from all directions. As the sun began to set, we stood there listening, completely content. It was the perfect moment to reflect on everything we'd experienced together on this trip. 

Final Thoughts

Rome gave us six incredible days full of adventure, new experiences, rich history, and uninterrupted quality time together. In every way, it exceeded our expectations. From awe-inspiring landmarks to spontaneous gelato stops, it struck the perfect balance of beauty, culture, and - of course - carbs. Lots and lots of carbs. That's our kind of vacation. This trip will be one we cherish for years to come.