Roma-The Mecca Of Old Stuff (and Hot)
Lotsa old stuff
✈️ First Impressions
Rome is a bit like a Chuck Norris joke. I cant think of one that works, but Rome is basically the tourist destination that tourist destinations do to for ideas.
I like to take public transportation whenever I can, so we came in from the airport by train. The ride passed through some rough, graffiti-covered neighborhoods-not the romantic kind, just… rough. Laundry hung from windows, scooters buzzed past, and traffic had zero patience.
Walking from the station to our Airbnb, it looked like any other European city: small grocery shops, punctuated by 1000 camera and phone stores, great-smelling bakeries, and chaos. I started to wonder what the hype was about.
But then, out of nowhere-ROME, with a capital R.
One turn and suddenly we were in the middle of a living museum. Ancient roads, fountains, ruins, history- everywhere. You can’t escape it. It’s omnipresent, it’s badass, it’s real.
And if you’re there in August (like us)? Woah, damn. It’s hot.
Thankfully, Rome has roughly 2.4 gelato shops per capita and ancient fountains pumping cool spring water, just like they did in Caesar’s day- straight into my REI titanium-lined, stainless-straw water bottle.
Bottom line: Rome is the bomb. It’s totally unique and, IMHO, the best historical destination in the world. It’s the alpha, the lead dog, the man. Walking into its warm Roman bosom, I felt like I’d already accomplished something-the mecca of old stuff- I have arrived.
🏠 Where We Stayed
Total score on the Airbnb. Step out the door and the Colosseum’s right there. Two turns later, you’re in the Forum complex. To the right? The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Crazy. Here is our place
The apartment had a fold-out couch, a bedroom, and-most importantly-AC (don’t even think about coming after May without it).
Bonus → the building had an elevator. In Rome, that’s a luxury flex.
Parthenon-notice everyone standing in the shade…
🤷♂️ The Good, The Weird & The WTF
Electric yet mellow → this place has gravitas.
After a lifetime of seeing random Roman statues in museums, standing in a city made entirely of them hits different. The bars and restaurants exude life, and locals have a slight permanent smile that says: Yeah, we know where we live. The people were also very nice. Not as nice as the French( i wrote a whole blog on friendliness in Europe- its not what you might think) but they are MOSTLY pleasant.
👉 Come on, we’re doing this together
Tried to do it in a long weekend, fuggit about it. Here we go.
Forum Complex → worth every euro and every drop of sweat. You could spend two days here and still not see it all. Don’t rush, this is the heart of ancient Rome.
Vatican → honestly? Overrated unless you’re deeply into it. The square is cool, but the lines to get inside are no joke. We walked the grounds, hit the museum, and called it good.
Vatican Museum → must-do. Devon wanted to see Raphael’s School of Athens and Disputation of the Holy Sacrament -both amazing. The Sistine Chapel? Unreal. Michelangelo was the original rock star. No photos allowed (seriously-they have photo cops).
Trevi Fountain → beautiful, sure, but once you’re there it feels like another fountain. The city is full of them, many less famous, equally stunning.
Colosseum → go for the ticket that lets you down into the lower levels. That’s where the good stuff is. Its a shell, but still cool.
The food was tasty AND pretty
🍝 Bite Test
We snacked a lot and hit several “pretty good but not amazing” spots. This is a huge tourist area, careful where you eat-lots of hype around itailan food means lots of crap.
Pro tip → if a guy is waving you in from the street, don’t go there.
Read reviews, make reservations, not all Roman food is life-changing.
🍷 Dinner Recs
Tonnarello (Trastevere) → well-known, touristy, but still very good. A local recommended it -worth the visit if you’re nearby.
Pratolina (Prati Neighborhood) → low-key and perfect for travelers. Try the flatbread-style pizza pinsa and the generous appetizers. Exactly what you want after a long day.
🍇 Wine Bar
Il Goccetto → endless wines by the glass (a dream for people like me who want to taste everything). Prices are fair, the vibe’s local, and it’s an easy place to lose track of time.
Did i say it was HOT (third shirt of the day)
☀️ A few more things to think about
When to Visit → we went mid-August, I don’t recommend it. Italy in summer is a furnace. If possible, come in the fall: cooler, fewer crowds, better vibes.
Heat Management → water, sunscreen, hat, light clothes, two pairs of sunglasses, and a refillable bottle. Rome’s ancient fountains are still running- fresh, cold, and free. Stay hydrated.
Try Smaller Museums → lots of lesser-known digs and sites scattered around the city-often empty and fascinating.
Shoes Matter → skip the fashion traps. Wear proper walking shoes. Cobblestones are everywhere-and they don’t care about your ankles.
Gelato Wisdom → there are more gelato shops per capita here than anywhere. Look for the light beige or pale green pistachio-not dark green. That means it’s fresh and natural (or just lighter color).
Reviewed by a guy who sweated through 3 shirts in one day