Sarah Tavella Photography
Roaming Rome:Unveiling the Pasta-ilities of Navigating Like a Local
A full travel itinerary including pictures- to make you seem as if you're in with the locals from someone who is wishes she was
ROME
Day 1: Il Primo Giorno
On your first day in Italy, expect to be tired but excited- and lost. make sure you have a fully charged phone and a portable charger. There will be people walking around selling but be wary because they will upcharge you and then sell you a portable with only half charge. Depending on the time of year you go, you may experience crowds, lines, intense weather, and lots of tourist traps- definitely do your research beforehand to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into.
Getting into the tourist attractions!
Across from Trastevere, in the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church, you will find an attraction called La Bocca della Verità which translates to The Mouth Of Truth. The myth is that if you put your arm in the mouth- you will have your arm eaten- but only if you are not truthful. There are many legends that go along with La Bocca Della Verità, but that is the general overview.
When you get there you will most likely see a line, but don’t let that steer you away, it goes by very quickly and it is even free to enter. They do accept… more like expect a small donation though.
After that, we made our way over to Il Colosseo- The Colosseum. Don’t expect to be able to enter and see the inside unless you reserved tickets in advance and I personally do not recommend taking the risk of buying tickets from anyone outside who is offering- chances are, it is a scam.
After that, make your way over to Colosseum Corner for some refreshments- an Aperol Spritz is the perfect way to cool off, refresh & do as the Romans do.
Day 2: Il Secondo Giorno
After day one, I can guarantee you’ll really start feeling the jetlag, you’ll wake up feeling like you slept for a month straight yet somehow still need more. My motto throughout the entire vacation was sleep when you’re dead- or well, at least once you’re back home.
Once I got ready that morning, I went over to my cousin's apartment in the center of Rome. There we then took a taxi to the center. In Rome, it is typical to take taxis everywhere, Ubers do not exist and most people do not drive since there is very little parking & the few spots there are are very expensive.
We went to a little cafe called Le Piantagioni Del Caffe where we had espressos, cornettos, and an Italian pastry with pistachio filling.
Our next stop was Piazza Di Spagna which was packed as per expectations of traveling to Italy in the summer. The view of The Spanish Steps is very different when looking at it from the top rather than the bottom. Now you can either make your way up the steps or you can continue on seeing sights which will eventually take you back to the top of the steps depending on where you go- now hold that thought! We will come back to this.
After The Spanish Steps, we went to La Fontana Di Trevi, The Trevi Fountain. Now this may arguably be the most popular attraction there is in Rome, which is why it is essential that you time it right if you want to have an amazing view and get great pictures without having to shove your way through. The prime time to go is as early in the morning as you can when most people are still sleeping. You will most likely have the area to yourself or will be among very few others.
If you go any other time throughout the day, this will be your view.
Don’t forget to throw a coin over your shoulder to wish to return someday!
Next up is one of my personal top 5 favorites of my trip. There is a church, La Chiesa Sant'ignazio, where you will enter and see a line which leads up to a large mirror. The purpose & attraction of it is that you will see an amazing view of the ceiling of the church instead of having to uncomfortably crane your neck up.
What is interesting about this view in particular compared to other churches around is that there is what appears to be a dome decorated with these beautiful paintings, as you walk closer to it you will notice it is an illusion and in fact is not round at all.
Our last stop of the day was to grab a Suppli! (pronounced [supˈpli]; The best way to describe these is that it is similar to what we call rice balls.
Pictured here is one of the best places in Rome to get Suppli. It is called Suppli Dei Coronari.
FLORENCE
Day 3: Terzo Giorno
That morning I woke up early and headed to the Train Station, Roma Tiburtina. Booking your trip online is much more convenient; that way the conductor can just scan your phone instead of you having to verify your paper ticket which can be confusing & you may run the risk of missing your train.
The train ride provides a beautiful view of the entire trip up the coast and only takes about an hour and a half.
Once at the Santa Maria Novella Stazione, we then strolled through the streets till we got to Ponte Vecchio, which translates to old bridge- was the only bridge that hadn’t been destroyed by the Germans in World War II.
As you can see, so far the few days I had been in Italy clearly had not been the best weather.
Day 4: Quarto Giorno
On my fourth day in Italy, we drove to a hilltop area called Forte Belvedere which is located at the top of Boboli Hill, overlooking the Arno river.
We eventually came back to this spot to see the sunset over the hill which was beautiful.
We strolled past Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as Il Duomo. A staple piece of the Italian Renaissance because it was built in the early years, combining old styles with new inspirations from the Renaissance.
On our way back home for the night, we stopped and got some gelato at what I was told to be the best in Florence- Venchi.
My personal favorite is nocciola- Italian for Hazelnut. If you like Ferrero Rocher or Nutella, this is the one for you.
A close tie with nocciola is cremina- which I believe is a regional option, found in the northern areas. It is made of hazelnut chocolate and inner layers of pure dark chocolate and white chocolate.
Day 5: Quinto Giorno
My time in Firenze came to an end, a quick little weekend trip and now I was on my way back to Rome.
I caught a train from Firenze to Rome and was meant to get off at the Roma Termini Station but instead, got off one stop too early and ended up at the Roma Tiburtina Station- about a 15-minute drive from each other so not a big deal but definitely threw off my plans for the day.
Something to definitely take note of when trying to take a taxi anywhere is to respect the line, or the cue as some call it. If you try to cut ahead of others it will not be pretty- the same rules apply to the drivers, you won’t see any of them taking a rider if there was another driver there in line waiting prior.
Once back on track for my day, we walked to Villa Borghese, which is absolutely massive yet somehow not the largest in Rome, or even the second largest- but is in fact the most expensively built. You could easily spend all day there and get lost.
When you enter, you will see beautiful gardens, marble statues, and a museum with pieces dating back to the 17th century.
As you continue your way into the park- depending on the path direction you chose, you will find the Piazza Di Siena race track- recently remodeled as of this past spring. Dating back to the late 18th century, the Piazza hosts equestrian races every May. Tickets for the practice races start at €60 Euro and tickets for the true race are €260. (The equivalent of about $283 U.S Dollars.)
Still continuing on your path throughout the park, you will stumble upon the lake- Il Laghetto. Here you have the option of renting a small boat for less than €3 Euros. You will see people, reading, writing, drawing, playing games, and more throughout this area. It is a great place to take a rest- especially on a hot day.
As you continue your way through the park there will also be a small zoo, it is over a hundred years old and recently renovated. Tickets to enter start around €17 Euro for adults, €13 for children, and free for toddlers. and very animal-friendly- there aren’t performances, feeding, or flash photography allowed.
Now after leaving the park, you have to head towards Terrazo Del Pincio, which has an amazing view of the city. This view overlooks Piazza Del Popolo- Plaza of The People
This is what the crowed looked like about mid-day on a Monday in May
But here is the view:
Pictured above: Piazza Del Popolo, is typically much more lively than the photos show, and free of cars. In the middle is a structure that dates back to 1300 BCE, and also the center for public executions which ceased 200 years ago in 1826. Here you will also find the Leonardo da Vinci Museum inside Galleria Agostiniana.
Remember when I said to hold onto the thought about the top of the Spanish steps? Well now we are back to that! Continue walking back towards the center of Rome and the Piazza Di Spagna area, and you will pass by this area.
Once you reach the top of the Spanish Steps, this will be your view-
Now if you haven’t gone to Fontana Di Trevi yet, it is only about a 10-minute walk from here*
But instead, we walked through Piazza del Popolo, in order to get to the Pantheon.
Pictured is a close-up view of the structure mentioned before- Also, take note of the weather change! Torrential rain hit instantly and had people scrambling to find a dry area.
Next up we hit the Pantheon, not to be confused with The Parthenon.
Here you will see a line that wraps around the square it is located in but don’t let that steer you away, the line moves quickly! Once we reached the front of the line, unbeknownst to us- turns out you can’t enter with your upper arms and knees showing. I was definitely annoyed that I had just waited in line to be told I couldn’t enter but luckily for us, the workers said if we came back dressed appropriately they’d let us jump ahead of the line.
We didn’t want to have to go buy brand new clothes and then had the idea (thanks to the rain) to go buy rain ponchos. For €5 euro we were able to finally to enter.
Once inside, you will enter a round-shaped room and will immediately notice a dome-shaped ceiling called The Oculus which is completely open, allowing rain and any other kind of weather and bird inside.
To be completely honest, in my opinion, this was very anti-climatic and if you are on a time crunch I suggest skipping this attraction.
On our way home that afternoon we stopped to try Maritozzi which kind of reminded me of a Twinkie, it is a pastry with fluffy light buns, split down the middle and filled with whipped cream, and topped with powdered sugar and a cherry.
I don’t suggest eating this and walking at the same time- or wearing a nice white top because it will get messy.
Now you’re probably thinking this is the longest day ever and you’re right because it still isn’t over yet- That night for dinner we had reservations at Crazy Pizza- easily one of the most well-known pizzerias in Rome. That is because it has hosted some of the most famous, well-known actors from around the world.
When inside, you’ll see the walls decorated with photos of these celebrities enjoying their homemade food.
This restaurant provides a fun and engaging experience with their nightly DJ playing music and interacting and their chefs who will come out and hand spin pizza, and make your dessert right in front of you.
And finally the day came to an end... time to sleep.
Day 6: Sesto Giorno
On the sixth day, we started our morning by stopping by one of the local panetteria- bakery to pick up some pastries for breakfast. That morning I went with fresh squeezed orange juice & two types of cannolis- one regular style and the other cannoli con crema di pistaccio- cannoli with pistachio creme. I had never tried it before but one bite and it became my favorite thing ever.
Throughout my trip, it was rare for me to get a picture before digging in…
Next, we walked through the Coppedè District, which is a small quarter district in Rome with very intricate architecture and attention to detail. It is quiet and worth the stroll if you happen to find yourself over there.
Next is something you won’t be able to miss and will have already walked past these sites but definitely worth mentioning here.
All around the city, you will see historic areas roped/fenced off and you may wonder why these terrains are significantly lower than the ground you're standing on. Floods in ancient times from the Tiber River caused the ground level of Rome to increase and essentially bury ancient Rome underground. Modern Rome preserves these areas and builds new architecture around it but you will see breakage from excavations and natural causes.
This video here shows what Ancient Rome looked like compared to these photos.
Day 7: Settimo Giorno
Continuing with our theme of history- we then had to go check in for our tour of The Vatican- my favorite part of the trip. While it's free to enter the city, if you'd like to do a tour you'll have to pay. Each tour is a separate ticket so make sure you book those all together. I do recommend booking a tour guide because there was so much history and meaning behind each artifact in the museum and having it explained in real time was so much better than going home and Googling it.
Something else to keep in mind, especially in the warmer months, you cannot enter the chapel with your knees showing- both men & and women and women cannot show their elbows. You will also be kicked out immediately for taking photos & and having your phone out while in the Sistine Chapel as well.
Here are some dos and don'ts for while you're visiting. Reading up will make your visit go much smoother and reduce any risk of getting asked to leave.
After the Vatican, we wanted to make a few more stops. Below you'll see photos of Castel Sant' Angelo supposedly built in 123 AD by a Roman Emperor, meant to serve as a burial site for him and his family and was used as a fortress during wars.
Here you will be met with winding hallways and staircases as you walk up. You'll pass through antique rooms and even a cafe to sit down and rest called Caffetteria Ristorante Le Terrazze Castel Sant’Angelo but be aware, they are closed on Mondays. Here is a link for more information about tours, entrance fees and more about the restaurant.
but once at the top, you'll be met with an amazing view of the city- both inside and there is rooftop access as well- perfect spot to watch the sunset as well.
Day 8: Otavo Giorno
The next day was a day spent revisiting some sites that I wanted to see again now that the rainy weather and clouds cleared up and exploring other suggested sites too.
I ventured off to a tourist spot that I had found online and spent a good portion of my morning there. The first two photos are from a terrace within a park called Giardino degli Aranci which is free to access. While I was there, there were little tables set up with jewelry and other little items being sold to browse through.
When exiting the park, walk a minute or so uphill and you'll find an area called Keyhole on Aventine Hill. Depending on the time of day and season, there will most likely be a line but it went very quickly for me. Once at the front of the line, you'll be looking through a door keyhole and you'll see a garden path and at the end, the dome of St. Peter's Basilica which you can see in the photo below.
Day 9: Nono Giorno
And on the ninth day, we hopped on a train to Napoli!! It took about an hour and a half to get there and once there and on the way you'll pass by Mount Vesuvius with Pompeii in the distance.
Once there, we were immediately welcomed by the most insane sports pride I've ever seen. A month prior, the Naples soccer team had just won the Serie A title- Italy's top national soccer league for the third time. When they won, the city was so loud in celebration that it is said that the noise registered as an earthquake. Below are just a few snapshots of what the entire city looked like.
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On the right, you'll see a photo of a street vendor selling literal jars of Naples Air for 2 Euros.
Not sure why anyone would buy that when you can simply jar your own air for free but not something I'm surprised to see an Italian doing.
Continuing with the soccer & pride theme of the story, we made our way to the Maradona mural- a alley way dedicated soley to Diego Maradona, one of Naples most famous and beloved players who helped bring the team two Serie A championships. In this alley you'll be met with a tough crowd and more memorbilia than you can imagine.
There were so many people everywhere, that you could barely walk without having to constantly dodge a person or push your way through a crowd. It was an extremely hot day and very little wind while in the streets with the buildings blocking any airflow but once we got closer to the sea, we were met with a nice breeze and a beautiful view. For food, being it is seaside, you'll have an abundance of seafood options but if you're like me and don't particularly care for seafood, don't worry there was plenty of pasta and pizza as well.
The photo above on the left was the view from atop a mountain which we had to take a taxi to get to. You've never experienced scary and unsafe driving until you've driven around Naples.
We randomly stumbled upon a concert for a well-known singer in Italy named Gigi D'Alessio. His concert was of course held in a historic square because what else would you expect in Italy? Totally different than something you'd find in America like MSG or Jones Beach Amphitheater.
When nighttime hits, I 100% recommend not going anywhere alone, avoiding wearing flashy clothing/jewelry, and looking like a tourist to avoid being stolen from or pickpocketed.
Day 10: Decimo Giorno
My tenth day in Italy and second day in Naples was when I really started to feel the effects of hitting 20,000 steps a day but my achey legs were well worth it.
While walking around we saw this booth on the street where a woman was there was a vintage camera taking people's photos. She then took the photo and had it printed on vintage-looking newspaper for free too!- pictured to the side.
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Another touristy attraction you can hit is this famous lemonade stand called Acquafrescaio. Here you'll be able to try their "exploding lemonade" Here is a video to explain!
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*not my photo*
They take fresh lemons, cut them up, squeeze them right in front of you, pour some aqua frizzante (sparkling water) and finally stir in some bicarbonate (baking soda) to make it a chemical reaction and "explode".
you'll have to drink it really fast or else it will spill out and then go still, removing the novelty of the whole idea.
We had a short day because we had to travel back and unfortunately start packing up for my flight home the next morning but before wrapping up my personal travel guide, we can't forget to spotlight all the yummy food I tried throughout the 12 days I spent in Italy.
Day 11: Undicesimo Giorno:
On my final day in Italy, I woke up bright & early to make it through customs, hop on the shuttle to my terminal and make my plane. 10 hours later, I was back in New York already planning my next trip.
The food:
We had a short day because we had to travel back and unfortunately start packing up for my flight home the next morning but before wrapping up my personal travel guide, we can't forget to spotlight all the other yummy food I tried throughout the 12 days I spent in Italy.
Crazy Pizza, Rome
Naples, Italy
Grazie per leggere.
Arriverderci... till next time