Part three of three in Italy: Rome. Our final and hottest stop in Italy. It was a challenge trying to hit all of the historical landmarks of a big city in a heat wave but we made the most of it and took it Rome. (That was for you Haley)
DAY 13: JULY 13- TRAVEL TO ROME
Leaving Atrani
Our trip in the Amalfi Coast wrapped up with gathering all of our things and organizing the airbnb to leave. We walked down to the bus stop and took the treacherous bus back to Salerno. Someone almost got sick, including me, so we gave her, and me, a ginger chew. Once in Salerno, we stopped for breakfast at the cutest place. It was called Zero and they had all my favorite things: acai bowls, avocado toast, eggs, chia pudding, matcha. I got a blue majik bowl, matcha and a side of scramble eggs. It came in a coconut bowl and I wanted to steal it. I didn’t though.
*Note: Always bring supplements for any medical emergency. Or have a Haley Cook to carry them for you.
From there, we then walked to the train station and got on the train to Rome. I guess they switched trains because the car we were supposed to be in didn’t exist so they had to just put us in random spots. Luckily, we got on and the train ride was short. Once we got to Rome, we walked to our Airbnb. It was so hot. We met our host Guito and his dog. He showed us around and taught us how to work the door. Probably our nicest Airbnb yet, aside from Milan.
When In Rome
After we settled in, we changed and walked around Rome. We stopped to get some pastries as a pick me up and continued to the Trevi Fountain. It wasn’t as crowded as we thought it would be but still a lot of people. We took some pictures and of course, threw a coin in the fountain. They had a Stranger Things billboard up right near there. Then, we walked to the Pantheon. We took some pictures there and then found arancini balls. We sat on the steps of a fountain and ate them.
*Note: Arancini Balls are a deep fried rice ball that are a must find when in Rome
Wine and Dine
We weren’t sure what to do before our dinner reservation so we killed time going in and out of some stores until we decided to walk there early. Good thing we did because there were so many people. We ate at the home of the original Alfredo, Alfredo Alla Scrofa. Apparently, a lot of famous people go there because their pictures were all along the wall. We got to our table early and I ordered the fettuccini Alfredo and a glass of white wine. It was delicious.
*Note: We made this reservation a few months in advance
Night In Rome
After dinner, we walked home. On our way, we stopped at a bakery and picked up more pastries (a whole plate worth) and continued home. We were almost home when we realized the Colosseum was in front of us so we decided to go look at it. It was dark out so it was lit up and the moon was huge. We got home and got ready to go to an ice bar. The map our host gave us had a coupon and it was only a 6 minute walk away. When we walked over, there was a line. We waited for a little while but heard it was cash only, which we didn’t have, and the line was barely moving so we decided to leave. There was a bar we passed that looked like a library so we went there instead. We sat outside for a drink and talked. For some reason we had all been craving chips so when we finished there we walked to a convenient store and grabbed too many bags of chips. We went home and devoured them, showered and went to bed.
DAY 14: JULY 14- FULL DAY IN ROME
Vatican City
Unfortunately, we were woken by loud construction outside our window at 7am so none of us really slept well. We bought tickets the night before to Vatican City at 11:30am so Haley, Emma and I got up and got ready for that. You have to wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders so we improvised our outfits to fit the dress code in 100 degree weather. We weren’t thrilled about that part. The metro was a quick walk away where we bought 24 hour passes for 7 euros and took the it to Vatican City.
We had a little time to spare so we ate right outside of the museum quickly. We went in and walked around the museum for a while and then went into the Sistine Chapel. That was really cool to see. There were a lot of people though and you aren’t allowed to take pictures. Emma had been to Vatican City before and didn’t recognize anything that we were looking at, beside the Sistine Chapel, so we decided we bought the wrong tickets. At least, we still got to see the chapel which we were happy about.
*Note: Do a little more research than we did on Vatican City before going.
Surviving the Heat
I think we were in a museum so we left and went around the outside wall to a different area and found the part Emma remembered. There was a huge line for the St. Peter’s Basilica so we decided it was ok to skip. It was hot so we just looked at the gift shops and went back on the metro. We got back home, changed into cooler clothes and checked on Juan. We found a cute restaurant right down the street and got pizza at Chicco di Grano. I got an Italia pizza that had tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, and arugula (or rocket salad). It hit the spot.
*Note: They call arugula, rocket salad.
We sat there for a while because it was so hot and we didn’t feel like moving. Also, we had to book our train from Rome back to Milan for our flight to Berlin. Our original flight from Rome to Berlin was canceled. When that was booked, we braved the heat and walked to the Colosseum to see it in the daylight. Again, it wasn’t nearly as crowded as we thought it would be, probably because it was 103 degrees. We tried to go to the Roman Forum but we were hot and tired. It was also 16 euros to go inside so we decided against it.
*Note: Similar to the Louvre, I think it may have been cheaper to do in the off season
Final Night In Italy
To escape the heat, we walked back to our apartment to cool down and charge our phones. Juan’s friend suggested a place for dinner and another near there for dessert so we got ready and walked there. It was 30 minute walk. It was a cute restaurant that was hidden down a side street called Lo Zozzone. I got spicy macaroni and the house white wine. It was 1/4 liter for 4 euros. I loved it.
Then, we went to a place with the best tiramisu in town and got tiny tiramisu. I think it was called Two Sizes. I got pistachio, Haley got peanut butter, Emma got strawberry and Juan got the original. Delicious. Then we got on the Bird electric scooters and rode them past the Colosseum at night and parked them near home. It was so fun but also a little scary. We walked the rest of the way home, showered, packed our bags and went to bed for the last time in Italy before Berlin, Germany.
