In 2017, it was Jason’s 40th birthday. He wasn’t really up for celebrating the big ‘four zero’, but the year before I had an idea that maybe I could surprise him with a trip somewhere? Would I be able to keep it a secret for an entire year? If you are planning a surprise trip to Rome or anywhere else, read on to see how I did.
PLANNING THE SURPRISE & THE BIG REVEAL
Fast forward 18 months to the day of the holiday. The only thing that Jason knew about this trip was that we would travel outside of England.
On our way to the airport, I had hidden an envelope in the glove-box of the car. Inside I had written 6 destinations. This was his first clue where we would be heading. On a piece of paper inside the envelope, I had written: Spain, Italy, France, Ireland, Greece and Germany. With this, I had also wrapped a guidebook that he couldn’t open until after the final reveal.
PLAYING A GUESSING GAME
I told him that out of all the places I had written; he had to pick one that he would like to visit and give the reasons. It made for a fun car game. I then whittled it down to a final three of Ireland, France, and Spain. Even though we were travelling to Italy, I thought I would throw him a bit of a curveball.
We arrived at Leeds Bradford Airport and made our way to the terminal. I asked him not to look at any departure boards. We eventually got to the check-in desk. “Passports, please,” the girl behind the counter said. “Where are you flying to today?” she asked.
I explained it was a surprise; and that Jason did not know. Checking us in, I handed him the boarding cards. His eyes lit up when, at last, I revealed the destination to him. Rome! Jason is a huge geek and loves his history, so I knew I had made the right choice. This was going to be an incredible trip for both of us, and we couldn’t wait to get on the plane.
OUR HOTEL IN ROME
Our stay for the next three days would be Marcella Royal & Rooftop Garden Hotel on Via Flavia. It was a short walk from the centre of the city. The hotel was magnificent, offering comfortable and clean rooms, amiable staff, and a superb breakfast. We had the best view out over the city from our rooftop terrace. You could even see the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
OUR THREE-DAY ROME ITINERARY
So, what exactly did we get up to here in Rome for the next three days? I knew exactly what Jason and I would want to see during this time, but fitting it all in would be quite difficult. So, I had to make a few tough decisions and try to fit in all the most popular, obvious sights first, and try to see extras as and when possible.
THE PANTHEON
The Pantheon, what an amazing building! A former Roman temple turned church in 609AD. Burial site of two Italian Kings, Umberto I and Victor Emmanuel II, and the famous painter Raphael.
Pantheon Skip-the-Line Ticket. Discover what made the Pantheon one of the most renowned monuments in the ancient city of Rome with this skip-the-line entry ticket. Save time at this popular attraction while in Rome.
There is a dress code here, so be aware of this. We almost didn’t get in. Wear clothes that are not too revealing, no bikini tops. Even though I had a top on that I thought was fine, I was told by a member of staff that my shoulders were on show.
Luckily, though, another member of staff saw us getting turned away, and she offered us the use of a scarf around her neck. We were very grateful for this, and she allowed us in. They may also ask you to cover your knees, so try to avoid wearing shorts. This is the same for most religious building in Rome.
PIAZZA NAVONA
A short walk from the Pantheon is Piazza Navona. It is one of the most famous squares in Rome, and Emperor Titus Domitianus commissioned it in 86AD. They originally used the site as a stadium for games.
Within the piazza you will find the beautiful ‘Moor Fountain’ Fontana del Moro, ‘Fountain of the Four Rivers’ La Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, and the amazing church of Sant’Agnese in Agone.
THE TREVI FOUNTAIN
The Trevi Fountain was very busy. We joined the hundreds of people who were already here to see this beautiful work of art. The best time of day to avoid the crowds is early morning. Evenings, though still busy, offer a unique experience because of the fountain’s beautiful illumination.
The fountain is around 30 metres high and sits at the back of the Palazzo Poli. The ‘Fontana di Trevi’ gets its name because of the three roads that join at its location, “tre via” so basically ‘Fountain of the three roads’.
In June 2014, the fountain was closed; the water stopped, and major restoration works took place, funded by the famous Italian fashion house Fendi, which donated €2.4 million. The fountain re-opened in 2015.
Before we left, with our eyes closed, back turned towards the fountain, we threw coins over our left shoulders, using our right hands, into the water. A legend states whoever does this is sure to return. All the money collected from people doing this goes towards helping the city’s poor. This generates an estimated €1.5 million every year.
THE VATICAN MUSEUM
I bought ‘skip the line’ tickets directly from the Vatican Museum’s website months before our visit. These came in handy because the queues to get in were huge. We definitely saved some time here. Doing my research before the trip, I read you would need a good two or three hours to see everything here, including the Basilica. Wrong! The museum is full of rooms and exhibits.
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Entrance Ticket. See priceless works of art from the Papal collections in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Marvel at masterpieces from antiquity to Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes.
This is a full-day experience, so don’t rush it. There is so much to see here. Let’s not forget that besides all this, it is also home to the Sistine Chapel!
The amount of things on show, Roman history, an Egyptian museum, the art, the sculptures, religious relics, the list just goes on. Looking around and soaking up everything left us speechless. Before you leave the museum behind, don’t forget to send yourself a postcard from the Vatican’s very own post office, a nice souvenir to return home to, stamped with the Vatican’s very own postmark!
THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM
Aswell as all the ancient Roman goodies, inside the Vatican Museum is an incredible Egyptian exhibition. Sarcophagi, mummies, and all kinds of artifacts from Egypt are on show. We loved this as Egypt is somewhere we are planning on visiting one day, so these were great to see.
Since writing this post, we did indeed visit Egypt. In the summer of 2023, we had an amazing two weeks in Hurghada and travelled to Cairo, Giza and Luxor. We had desert adventures, and more. You can read all about that trip here – The best trips to book when visiting Hurghada, Egypt.
SAINT PETER’S BASILICA
They constructed the ‘Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano’ between 1506 and 1626. Another church, which Emperor Constantine ruled in 324AD, stood on the site where they built the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano. It is said that this church held the grave of Saint Peter.
The queue to get in was huge, but it shortened quickly. Admission to the Basilica was free, but you can book guided tours and experiences for a cost. Tombs of popes and saints, huge marble monuments and memorials are everywhere.
Beautiful paintings and religious architecture, the likes you have never seen before. The sun was shining through a window at the back of the building, straight through Saint Peter’s Baldachin, the monument that stands over Saint Peter’s tomb.
VISIT THE COLOSSEUM
Another ancient site you simply have to visit during your stay in Rome is, of course, the Colosseum. This vast arena has stood mostly intact for centuries. They estimate that close to 400,000 people possibly died here. It is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Priority Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine. Enjoy exclusive priority access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on a guided tour. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors as you travel back to the era of ancient Rome.
THE ARCH OF CONSTANTINE
Built in 315AD, people constructed the Arco di Costantino as a memorial to Emperor Constantine. Carvings of hunts and ceremonies cover this huge, white marble arch from top to toe.
Above the arch lies this incredible Roman inscription:
IMP CAES FL CONSTANTINO MAXIMO
Wikipedia
P F AUGUSTO SPQR
QUOD INSTINCTU DIVINITATIS MENTIS
MAGNITUDINE CUM EXERCITU SUO
TAM DE TYRANNO QUAM DE OMNI EIUS
FACTIONE UNO TEMPORE IUSTIS
REM PUBLICAM ULTUS EST ARMIS
ARCUM TRIUMPHIS INSIGNEM DICAVIT
Which translates roughly to: “To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantinus, the greatest, pious, and blessed Augustus: because he, inspired by the divine, and by the greatness of his mind, has delivered the state from the tyrant and all of his followers at the same time, with his army and just force of arms, the Senate and People of Rome have dedicated this arch, decorated with triumphs.”
WALK DOWN VIA SACRA
As you make your way from the Colosseum to the Roman Forum, you will walk along what remains of one of the city’s ancient central avenues, the Via Sacra. Roman emperors once used it as a route for parades and funerals.
THE ROMAN FORUM, FORO ROMANO
The Roman Forum, a place Jason and I had been itching to see for many years. A remarkable place. A site full of history, home of democracy, public meetings and gladiatorial fights.
Here, you can find one of the world’s earliest sewage systems. They murdered and cremated Julius Caesar here. His grave site is a small ruin, usually covered in flowers, coins and other offerings. The forum fell into complete ruin after the fall of the Roman Empire.
VITTORIO EMANUELE II MONUMENT
Nextdoor to the Forum is ‘Altare della Patria’ Altar of the Fatherland, a colossal marble monument honouring Italy’s first King, Vittorio Emanuele II, and its fallen First World War soldiers. People also call the temple the ‘Wedding cake of Rome’ because of its appearance.
PALATINE HILL
Tickets to visit Palatine Hill cost around €20 and this also acts as a combi-ticket for the Colosseum as well. There are seven hills of Rome, Palatine being the centre. It is one of the oldest parts of the city.
Important buildings such as the Imperial Palaces of Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian were all built here.
TAKE A WALK ROUND THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS
The Circus Maximus was a stadium used for chariot-racing and festivals during Roman times. Circus Maximus translates to ‘the largest circus’. They still use the site for concerts and events today and is one of Rome’s largest public parks. The bands Genesis and The Rolling Stones have all played here.
Although there is not much to see here, it is still worth a walk around. There are some ruins at one end of the track with a few information boards. Admission is free.
PIAZZA DI SPAGNA, SPANISH STEPS
The Spanish Steps on Piazza di Spagna. A huge hotspot for tourists from all over the world. Made even more famous by the film ‘Roman Holiday’ featuring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. They filmed Audrey sitting on the bottom step eating ice-cream. These days, authorities ban eating, drinking, and sitting on the steps, so they wouldn’t allow you to do that.
The steps are still an impressive sight, however, and are a perfect photo opportunity.
FONTANA DELLA BARCACCIA
The Fountain of the leaky boat sits at the foot of the Spanish Steps. Italian sculptor Pietro Bernini built the fountain as a memorial to the great flood of Christmas 1598. The River Tiber burst from its banks. It covered the entire city in water, and the only way to get around was by boat.
FOOD IN ROME
We had a great time exploring Rome, but an even better time filling our faces with delicious food and sweet treats. We ate at a couple of Trattoria’s and had some tasty Tiramsu from a place called Pompi.
PINSERE PIZZA
Looking for some delicious pizza to munch on while you explore Rome ? Pinsere are rustic, delicious and doughy and they have several flavours to choose from, if you are in the vicinity of via Flavia, pop in for a bite to eat, prices from around €8.
POMPI TIRAMISU
Pompi offers several flavours of Tiramisu straight from a box. This place is also busy with tourists. They have a handful of stores around the city, but we picked up ours from Pompi Trevi, Via Santa Maria. Boxes of Tiramisu were €4 at the time of our visit.
EAT AT A TRATTORIA
A trattoria is a type of informal Italian restaurant, and these are often family-run and well known for serving traditional, regional food and simple, home-cooked meals. We ate out for Jason’s birthday and had the best wine and pasta.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH ROME
We absolutely fell in love with the city and can’t recommend it enough. I just wish we could have added a few extra days to the trip to cram in more sights. I know we will return one day and I know there will definitely be a ‘part two’ to this post. Maybe throwing coins in the fountain really is a thing.
We hope you enjoyed reading this post; I had a great time writing it and reminiscing. Since visiting Rome, we have been to Naples, Sorrento, and Venice, Genoa, Milan, Bergamo, and Trapani, all of which you will read about on this blog. I think it’s safe to say we have fallen in love with Italy.
Are you planning a surprise trip to Rome or anywhere else? Let us know in the comment section below. We would love to know. Hopefully, this post will give you a few ideas. For more information on Rome, look at the official tourism website: Turismo Roma.
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