Summer Trip to Italy; Rome & Vatican City

R O M E  &  V A T I C A N  C I T Y    

Of all the cities that I've been to in Italy, Rome and Vatican City's schedule was relatively tighter as it is not quite possible to visit all the top tourist attractions in three days. I only picked a few places of interest and left some time for me to hunt for.....what else? Gelato, duh. Guilty as charged! We rome around on foot and every corner of the city seemed to have a story to tell. Almost everywhere is worth more than a stop for just a photo. You'll be sure to come across with many beautiful squares such as Piazza Navona. The open space with beautiful fountains was lively and was congested by tourists who were enjoying the Summer sun at many cafes and restaurants along the street.

And a few minutes walk away from the square lies the Pantheon. It's pretty amazing how the historic two-thousand year old building is so well-preserved and protected while still being witnessed everyday by people from every nook and cranny of the world. It is currently a church and the admission is free for everyone. I did not manage to even take a glimpse of the interior because the place was crazily jam-packed! Don't get me started on the weather again.

Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) is a must-visit when one is in Rome. Legend says that if you throw a coin over your left shoulder using your right hand into the water, it would assure your return to Rome in the future. Throwing a second time would lead you to new romance and the third time brings you marriage. I'm quite a superstitious person and of course I did throw my share of coin into the fountain. (Just one, if you're wondering, heh.)

I suggest going as early as possible to have a closer look at the fountain and to avoid the madding crowd surrounding the fountain later during the day. It'll save you so much trouble trying to have a perfect shot of yourself with the picturesque monument. You may thank me later! Don't ask how I was able to sit at the edge of the fountain. Apparently it's prohibited and I only realised it after I left when I heard endless blasts of whistle by the security guards at other tourists who sat at the edge. I consider myself lucky I guess!

"You have not visited Rome if you did not see the Colosseum" "You must, must visit the Colosseum!" So many people have repeatedly told me these before I left to Italy. There was a slight sense of regret, I must say. It's really a pity that I did not enter the Colosseum because everyone else was not particularly interested in the history and architecture of the most famous ruins in Rome. Or it was probably just because of the weather... Anyway, the admission tickets can be purchased in advance online so you can save time by skipping the line at the entrance!

Did I mention that you can practically go everywhere on foot to visit most of the popular tourist sites? I recommend staying near the Pantheon as it's really convenient! You would be able to find many grocery stores and fine restaurants nearby as well. And yes, it is also possible to walk to the smallest country in the world, the Vatican City. The distinctive landmarks here would be the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and the St. Peter's Basilica. As usual I got my tickets online (for the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. Entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is free.) and when we were heading to the entrance for the Sistine Chapel and museums, one of my worst travel nightmares actually turned into reality. The queue to the museums was horrendous; approximately two to three-hour wait. I secretly hoped it wasn't the queue to the museums but who was I kidding.... 

We were then approached by a man in professional attire who apparently was an agent of a nearby tour company. He suggested for us to upgrade our tickets (The thought of being in the sun for hours made Mama Heng agreed to the upgrade without having second thoughts. That's how much she detested the weather.) which offered a few perks;

1. Bypass the queue (including the line to St. Peter's Basilica) using the fast track lane.

2. A group tour in the museums & Sistine Chapel with a personal guide.

The tour guide was very informative and we came to learn about Michelangelo's works of painting that are demonstrated on the ceiling and altar wall of the Sistine Chapel besides some of the intriguing historical events that have taken place at the Vatican.

 Also, don't forget to catch the breathtaking aerial view of the St. Peter's square at the cupola! Tickets to the St. Peter's cupola can't be pre-booked but the tickets can be obtained easily there. There are two ways to get to the dome; either walk over 500 steps on the spiral staircase (€5) or take the elevator to the base of the dome then walk over 200 steps on the stairs (€7). Jess and I chose the easy way up but the relatively shorter climb already felt as though it was leg day at the gym. People who are claustrophobic are advised to think twice as the stairs are pretty steep and narrow. Nonetheless, it was definitely worth the climb despite it being crowded (what's new right?).

Many people rave about the flat bread pizzas at Forno Campo di 'Fiori near the Fontana di Trevi. They were light, crispy and were freshly baked. Well, in my opinion, these pocket-friendly pizzas are not worth the hype but just nice to fill up our tummies.

Vicolo del Gallo, 14, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

There are way too many pizza places in Rome alone. I always prefer to grab quick bites whenever there is time constraint (especially when I know that I have to brace for long queues at the tourist sites which I dread the most...). Pizzas served at La Boccaccia & Alice are the real deal. Large assortment of pizzas are prepared at a time so service is swift. Jess and I love pizzas and we were spoilt for choice the moment we got to the counters. Do you know what's the best thing? They offer custom sizes and they are priced by weight! You have no idea how thrilled we were. The pizzas are served warm too. 

Many pizzas in Rome are actually prepared and served this way. Such a manner should be introduced and spread to my country; pizza lovers like me would be contented. Variety is the spice of life, yes? Heh.

La Boccaccia
Via di Santa Dorotea, 2, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

Alice

Via delle Grazie, 7/9, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

I came to know about Mama' Ristobistrot through Ladyironchef's Instagram so I thought of giving it a try after my Vatican tour. The menu offers an extensive selection of seafood and pasta dishes. The pasta with generous portion of seafood were beautifully presented and of top quality; my appetite increased the moment the food was placed on the table. Overall, our dining experience was positive.

Via Sforza Pallavicini, 19/21, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

It's pretty tough to pick where to go when there is a myriad of Gelato shops that are of commendable quality in Rome. The dilemma was real... Thankfully, every Gelato that I've savored in Rome was lip-smacking good. The queue, the scorching weather (ugh) and the long walks were all well-worth the Gelato, you have my word. Here is the list of the places that I've tried, starting from my favourite in descending order (don't get me wrong, they were all yum! But not all made me want to have a second try. ) ;

Old Bridge Gelateria

Viale dei Bastioni Di Michelangelo, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

Frigidarium

Via del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Gelateria del Teatro

Via dei Coronari, 65-66, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

The Gelatist

Via Tuscolana, 989, 00175 Roma RM, Italy

Italy is probably one of the very few European countries which I personally would not get tired of. It's indeed a big country with so much to learn and discover. I shall leave Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Florence, Genoa to name a few for the future me to explore & I can't wait already!