The Perfect Day in ... Rome!
Rome, the "Eternal City" as it has been called since the days of the emperors, exerts a very special allure on its visitors. The dazzling three-million metropolis on the Tiber is a walkable amphitheater of ancient attractions. Its people are proud, charming, and charmingly chaotic, while the culinary delights are rich and delicious.
Adventure Dream Vacation author Kai Hockenjos followed in the footsteps of Romulus and Remus and spent one perfect day in the City of Seven Hills.
8 AM
Buon giorno! Rome has so much to offer, so rise and shine! Breakfast? What the croissant is to the French, the "cornetto" is to the Romans — a fresh pastry horn paired with a steaming cappuccino. That's how you start your day in Rome the proper way.
9 AM — The Colosseum
If there is one image of Rome that the whole world recognizes, it is the exterior of the Colosseum — probably the most photographed spot in all of Italy. Ma si! Of course, when you're in Rome, you simply must see this awe-inspiring structure from the inside as well; there's no way around it. The only obstacle: the endless queues that form outside the entrance every morning. Tip: Right in front of the Colosseum, countless tour guides sell admission tickets. They're a bit pricier than at the box office, but you skip the crushing crowds at the chaotic ticket counter and walk straight through the priority entrance. Once inside the arena, the sheer scale of the place truly hits you. The amphitheater, built between 72 and 80 AD, held up to 50,000 spectators who came mainly to watch gladiatorial combat and animal hunts. The underground vaults where tigers, lions, and other wild beasts once awaited their gruesome fate are still clearly visible. The technology used to transport animals into the arena was revolutionary for its time: there were mechanical elevators, and the arena could even be flooded for bloody naval battles. You can easily reach the Colosseum by metro (Line "A", stop "Colosseo").
11 AM:
Continue on foot — the best way to soak up the city's atmosphere. And from the Colosseum, it's just a stone's throw to the next attraction: the Forum Romanum, the beating heart of ancient Rome. Simply follow the crowds and suddenly you find yourself surrounded by ancient temples, triumphal arches, churches, and monuments — utterly breathtaking.
1 PM:
All that walking has worked up an appetite, appetito? Then head to a taverna — but not the nearest tourist trap, as the restaurants clustered around the main sights rarely serve authentic cuisine. Better to wander the side streets in search of a cozy spot. For affordable, delicious, and genuinely Roman food, try the "Antica Taverna" on "Via Monte Giordano," just steps from "Piazza Navona," which is served by several bus lines (including lines 30, 70, 81, 87, 116). On the menu you'll find traditional dishes — be sure to try the "spaghetti cacio e pepe" (EUR 6.50), loaded with cheese and pepper: simple, but absolutely delicious.
3 PM:
Feeling refreshed, now is the perfect time for a stroll along Rome's most famous shopping boulevard, the "Via del Corso." If your wallet survives that stretch, you can happily spend whatever's left on the "Via dei Condotti," Rome's most exclusive street, which begins northeast of the Corso. Every major designer and fashion house has an elegant boutique here. The street leads directly to the world-famous Spanish Steps, a wonderful spot to sit, relax, and watch the colorful hustle and bustle. Less than five minutes away, the next attraction awaits: the "Fontana di Trevi" (Trevi Fountain). It became world-famous when Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni took their legendary midnight dip in Fellini's "La Dolce Vita." Tradition has it that you toss a coin with your left hand over your right shoulder into the fountain to ensure your return to Rome. Reportedly around EUR 600,000 is fished out of the water each year, with the proceeds going to the city's heritage preservation authority.
5 PM:
Time for a little adrenaline boost! Si, si, that's right — an espresso, simply called "caffe" in Italy. This dark pick-me-up will revive even the most exhausted tourist, and it's nothing like the watered-down brew you sometimes get in German cafes. Romans typically drink their espresso — tip! — standing at the bar. There it usually costs just 80 cents; cappuccino and latte macchiato are always cheaper at the counter too, whereas EUR 10 for two hot drinks at a table is not unusual at all. Particularly lovely is the "Campo de' Fiori," the flower square in the Parione quarter, east of the Tiber. Here you'll find plenty of bars and cafes where young Rome gathers and has a good time. From there it's not far to the home of the Pope, who resides in the "Stato della Citta del Vaticano." The Vatican City State includes St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, and the Sistine Chapel. With an area of just 0.44 square kilometers and nearly 1,000 inhabitants, it is the smallest recognized state in the world.
8 PM:
All that sightseeing has made you hungry again. Time for a special restaurant. How about ending the day with something truly extraordinary? Bene, no problem — here's a real insider tip: The restaurant "Secrets Cafe 692" at "Via Tuscolana 692" (metro stop "Arco di Travertino") is idyllically nestled within an ancient aqueduct that once carried fresh water all the way to the city center. A little slice of paradise, especially in the evening when the imposing walls around the restaurant and its picturesque garden are beautifully illuminated. Handmade Roman specialties are served here — "delizioso," simply exquisite. And the in-house cocktail lounge opens directly onto the restaurant's garden. The perfect spot to wind down a perfect day in the Eternal City with a refreshing long drink, alla salute!
Kai Hockenjos
