How many Lizzie McGuire movie references am I allowed to make?? I got a bunch of questions about my go-to spots/recommendations in Italy so I thought this would be a great place to create a list and share some tips! Here is part one of my three part travel guide for Italy!
Please click this here for the background music that you both want and need. I think I played this album 4 times through on the flight over. Italian Love Songs by Dean Martin.
“We travel, some of us forever, to see other states, other lives, other souls”
-Anais Nin
One of the most beautiful and romantic places on Earth: Rome. Pizza, pasta, wine, gelato, Italian kisses, vespas, vine covered buildings, sweet and slow music, soft chatter…ah I like it here. This place truly felt as magical as I thought it was going to be. As corny as this is…my soul felt right at home.
TIPS FOR ITALY
✴ DITCH THE HEELS!
The cobblestone streets are as unforgiving as the red wine…
✴ Beware of pick pockets – Try to be aware of exactly where your things are (especially your passport) & be mindful if you wear a backpack! We saw two pick pockets that were teenage girls that looked like tourists themselves. The popular tourist spots are the typical hotspots for pick pockets. Don’t let anyone try to distract you! It takes two to tango and pickpocket!
✴ I heard to avoid eating near any type of historical centre or monument! Here is where you are paying for the view and not high quality food. To be honest everything still tasted amazing so to each their own!
✴Buy a European outlet adapter! In Europe they use a Type E (two-prong plug) Amazon has good deals.
✴ Before leaving the airport make sure you stop to exchange for euros!
✴ Italian meal times are different! Italians typically will head out to dinner later than the typical 5 or 6 American dinner time which we forgot and relearned the hard way. Just be mindful when planning meal times and outings!
✴ Make sure your knees and shoulders are covered when exploring some of the more religious sites!
✴ Do not accept flowers, bracelets, etc from strangers. These people will place these right into your hands and then want payment. It’s very forward and pushy but a firm “no grazie” as you walk away works just fine.
✴ Double check when attractions are open and closed! The first sunday of each month opens up museum and sites to the public for free!
✴ Book ahead online! Buying tickets online will save you so much confusion once you get there.
✴ Take a picture of your passport! This way you always have a photo copy proof as a digital file if the worst does happen!
✴ Rent a bike! We saved so much time and energy by renting bikes! We were able to get around so quickly and not feel drained after a long day of walking. It’s a bit scary to bike around a city that you don’t know like the back of you hand but take your time and be aware of aggressive cars!
✴ Try to only pack a carry on! This made traveling SO much easier! Lugging a massive suitcase around through streets, in and out of taxis, on trains = an unwanted arm workout. I planned out every single outfit so I was really only bringing what I needed!
My boyfriend decided that it would be best that we stayed in Trastevere. If you are going to Rome I would 100% recommend staying in Trastevere. This town is right across the river from all of the main tourist attractions and makes you feel like you are really living among the locals. If you’re interested you can find a spot that’s just right for you here.
“Eat your spaghetti to forgetti your regretti”
Food
When in Rome that green juice diet is just going to have to wait! The food in Italy was unlike anything I’ve ever had. Authentic mozzarella? Now THIS is what dreams are made of. I think I ate enough mozzarella cheese in two weeks to last me a lifetime. Everything was so delicious. Here are some spots we stopped at!
Impiccetta → This was a great dinner spot! Cozy and casual!
Otello → This was another great dinner spot! We were able to get a big window seat and eat while we watched the busy world bustle around Trastevere. Amazing food, service and environment! I saw online that they also have vegan options! Overall really recommend this spot!
Rivendita Libri Cioccolata e Vino → Coffee and tea spot in Rome. We stopped in here for some macaroons. It was a really cool spot for a quick sweet treat!
Caffè Ciampini → This spot was so stunning. We hid here from the rain for a moment with wine and a beautiful view. This is a great place to bring a big group! The outdoor seating was amazing.
Meccanisimo → The was definitely a place where they have molded their menu to an american tourist but hey I was craving pancakes so we stopped here! This is a great breakfast spot if you want to get a table outside and watch the people roam the piazza.
Dar Poeta Alla Scalla → The best pizza spot. This is a perfect on the go late night bite! They also had a cool wall of Polaroid photos of past customers which really added to the fun environment.
Mammo – My cousin worked here and showed us around this cute little shop! Great for a quick bite! The lemon cake is to die for.
Freni e Frizioni → We could tell this was a popular local spot! This was a great bar with a terrace that you could sit and enjoy the summer air on.
For that sweet tooth, life is too short get the double scoop! I’m being serious when I say I had gelato every single day. Was walking around all day my validation for it? Maybe. For gelato treats I was happy with anything and everything! My one tip is someone said to think of how whatever flavor you are getting would look blended. For example, if you were to order strawberry. How it would look blended? If it is a bright cotton candy neon pink it may not be the most authentic flavoring! Check out here for the best gelato in Trastevere and here for the best in Rome!
Oh the places you will go…
Piazza Trilussa → This piazza was always lively by the steps at night! A really great spot to relax on the steps near the river to people watch. Sometimes musicians would play there!
Fontana dell’ Acqua Paola → This spot has a beautiful view and fountain! If you’ve seen La Grande Bellezza you may remember a scene shot here!
Campo de’ Fiori → This was such a great little bustling market. I loved being able to shop around in the middle of the square. Everything was so lively and colorful! We didn’t stay too long because the pushy salesmen started to make the experience a bit overwhelming. A great place to still pass through and grab some fresh fruit or flowers!
Trevi Fountain → This is quite the step up from any 11:11 wish! This place is seriously breathtaking! A few people asked me how I got a photo with no people around which to my knowledge I didn’t know was a rare shot. We were catching an early train out of Rome and decided to stop by. This picture was taken around 7 AM! If you’re a blogger or a bride (like we saw) trying to get that picture perfect shot, any time between 5 AM-7AM is a perfect time slot to avoid the chaos of the crowds!
Keats–Shelley Memorial House → The perfect escape from the rain or the chaos of the Spanish Steps! This spot is located right at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. The Keats-Shelley Memorial house is dedicated to the English Romantic Poets. Some of these poets visited or lived in Rome!
Spanish Steps → A classic must see! This view at the top was perfect! If you want to avoid tourist crowds go a bit earlier to this spot too!
Villa Medici: Accademia di Francia a Roma → This spot is located at the top of the Spanish Steps! We were able to walk around an art exhibit before having our tour of the villa. Each room had beautiful ceilings. Our tour guide was able to give us great information about each room! Beautiful gardens, sculptures and paintings!
The Pantheon → The Pantheon was another must stop spot! The inside is even more amazing than the outside if you can believe it. The Pantheon is also free to the public! We sat down for a quick bite with this as our view!
Colosseum → I wish I could tell you more about this one but we never stopped here! Ah! However I do know that there is a spot where you can go up an elevator for a good shot with the colosseum! I heard that you should get a skip the line pass online!
The Aventine Keyhole → Hidden inside this famous keyhole is a view of the Vatican’s St Peter’s basilica dome!
Piazza Navona → This piazza is filled with beautiful fountains and surrounded by restaurants and cafes. The fountains portrayed different sea-gods and creatures.We walked around with a bag of cherries as we googled facts about the statues. This is a great spot to find a bench and just relax for a moment. Click here for some fun facts about the fountains.
Sistine Chapel → Check this spot out to see Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling!
St Peters Basilica → Such a stunning area! Great to walk around and see it up close! Pictures don’t do it justice!
The Vatican → The crowds are pretty crazy here! Make sure that you have your shoulders and knees covered for this spot! You can buy a skip the line pass online as well!
Castel Sant’Angelo → 2nd-century cylindrical castle & museum! We only saw the outside but it was great area to walk around in! I did more research and read that it has a really beautiful view as well!
This was my first time out of the country and I was super nervous! The language barrier was something that really made me anxious at first. Maybe it was because I wasn’t fully awake for my semester long 8AM Italian class. Most people in Rome speak English so it was totally fine and everyone was super friendly and patient when trying to understand you! I also downloaded some apps to help me out in a time of need! Google translate works well too!
Simple phrases To Know:
Hello! → Ciao!
Good Morning!→ Buongiorno!
Thank you → Grazie
You are welcome → Prego
Excuse me! → Mi scusi!
Please → Per favore
Do you speak English? → Parli Inglese?
I do not speak Italian → Non parlor Italiano
How much does it cost? → Quanto costa?
Do you accept credit cards? → Accettate carte di credito?
More → Di più (more cheese??? uh yes please)
Small strawberry in a cone please → piccolo fragola in un cono per favore (just trust me on this one)
I hope that these recommendations are helpful and you can get an idea of what to expect! Let me know if you stop by any of them!
Always,
Madison
