Wandering Spud: R O M E
ROME
I've realised that my blog has become very Fitness/Weight Loss focused and whist I find it really keeps me on track, it isn't my 'passion' and when I started this blog last year I wanted to talk about more and I've lost sight of that. I adore traveling and have a bucket list the length of my arm with all the places in the world I want to see and things I want to do but interesting fact about Mark, he hates to travel (because he gets so travel sick, and yes we've tried everything) so every adventure we've been on is that extra bit special because he does it just for me <3
So anyway, enough about my amazing husband, here is my first official travel blog 'Wandering Spud' about beautiful Roma.
I first visited the eternal city in May 2016 when Mark planned a surprise trip for us for our first wedding anniversary (I know what a babe, okay I'll stop) and then we loved it so much we went back in September 2017 for his 30th birthday trip; its a fantastic place that you could go to 100 times and still want to go back.
OUR HOTEL
In May 2016 we stayed at the Fifteen Keys Hotel. It was so impressive; firstly, its style. It was perfect for us, hipster, relaxed, loved the blue bar and lounge with an outside terrace. The bedrooms were elegant and exactly what we were looking for and also so clean, the housekeeping staff should be commended, the place was spotless. As it was a special occasion for us, we got a complementary room upgrade which was lovely.
Secondly, the staff were fantastic; having been a duty manager in a 5-star hotel myself I know good service and they really delivered. They were kind, helpful, polite and genuinely happy to see their guests. Nothing was too big of an ask. They gave us great recommendations, from sites to see to food and drink. The breakfast in the morning was delicious with a great selection and the coffee! Definitely ask for a cappuccino with breakfast.
What really impressed me the most was the attention to detail and how every little thing complimented each other without matching; from the golden lanterns on the terrace, to the pattern chairs in the bar and the wall displays at reception- it was all incredible.
We loved it so much that we are remodeling a room in our house to the black/blue/bronze style!
For Marks 30th Trip, I booked another Hotel called Terrace Pantheon Relais, it was in a great central location, about a 2 minute walk to the Pantheon and it again had lovely decor and a beautiful roof top garden. We had several issues whilst we were there though (building works, AC, lost items etc...) and we spoke to the manager and they gave us a discount on the room but their service and hotel still needs a lot more work put into it.
THE CITY
There is so much to see in this amazing city, a blog isn't enough to cover everything but the main things we did were:
The Colosseum;
The Trevi Fountain;
The Ruins;
The Vatican including St Peters Basilica;
The Spanish Steps;
The Altare della Patria;
The Piazza Navona;
The Bocca della Verità (The Truth Stone);
The Shops at the Piazza di Spagna!!!!!!
We did walking tours and the open bus tours which were awesome ways to get across the city but watch the traffic; we missed our Vatican tour in May 2016 because our travel agent thought we could get across the city using the hop on hop off tour bus and we got caught in traffic so we missed it but we went back in September 2017.
3 days is just about enough time to see the main tourist attractions but you'll be busy. In May 2016 the temperatures hit 30°+ as well and staying in a hotel with no pool was stifling but still stunning.
FOOD TIPS
We stopped at a cafe at the Pantheon for two scoops of gelato each, a latte for me and some water for Mark and it came to €36! I nearly died so make sure you check the prices even for what you think is the small stuff!;
Sea Food is really expensive because its not a seaside city, 5 prawns cost €15;
An Aperol Spritz is a bright orange drink and everyone was drinking one- so its a must try;
EAT EVERYTHING- pasta, pizza, gelato seriously do not think of the calories just enjoy the delicious-ness. I still dream about the spaghetti!!;
The best food we had, and I think that I've ever had in my whole life was in this little restaurant off of Via de Pastini called Ristorante L'Arcano - its the spagetti in the picture below; and
There are water fountains everywhere in Roma and the water was delicious and I didn't get sick afterwards!
COFFEE
- Dont order a cappuccino after 11ish, its seen to be a breakfast drink and you get strange looks.
- For the best espresso you've ever had you must go to an Espresso Bar called La Casa Del Caffè Tazza D'oro. The price of espresso is regulated in Italy so a single espresso was only €0.90. You have to order at a till first then you take your receipt to the bar and stand for 5/10 minutes. If I ever open a coffee shop it'll be like that place, it was heaven for us- we went back 3 times every day.
DONT FORGET TO PACK...
An adapter
Decent walking shoes ( I got lovely open toe sandals with supports in them and my feet were filthy but felt fine)
A bag with a zip to hold:
Sunscreen - its just sensible;
A water bottle;
A hand held fan; and
A Selfie Stick (although there are people everywhere selling them).
Handy Hashtags
#Rome #Roma #Italy #InstaRoma #InstaRome #Patheon #Colosseum #TreviFountain #VaticanCity #BoccaDellaVerità #WhenInRome #ItalianCoffee #ItalianPasta #Travel #InstaTravel #InstaEurope #TravelGram #Wanderlust #BucketList #RomeBucketList #VisitRome
