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Top Rome Experiences For a 3 Day Break

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My wife and I love nothing more than taking brunch each Sunday morning, and generally these are where the bog life decisions take place. Two weeks ago during brunch we stumbled across a very cheap deal to Rome for 3 days, a city neither of us had been to. we booked up there and then, headed home to pack and buy 7pm we were on our way to Rome. I had heard so much about this city but with just 3 days to play with, we had to be efficient. You could easily spend a week in this city but 3 days was more than enough to see the main attractions. If  you find yourself  3 day break, here is how to spend it.

Eating Italian

As you can probably tell by our weekly brunch date, my wife and I really love to eat and we couldn’t wait to indulge in some authentic Italian cuisine. We decided to shun the landmarks and popular attractions on day one and instead indulge our tastebuds. Throughout Rome you will find hundreds of beautiful little restaurants selling antipasti, pastas and pizzas, all prepared and cooked in the proper way, and a far cry from what we get back at home.

Colosseum

I had great expectations for the Wonder of the World that is the  colosseum and I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. The building has seen its fair share of damage but still stands tall, slightly broken but proud as it ever was. It’s amazing to think of what used to go in this amphitheater, and just how many Romans would pack themselves in to watch the events. We didn’t take the tour and I think we made a smart choice as they went on for hours, whereas I’d say that an hour or so here would be enough.

Vatican Tour

The Vatican is a truly spectacular place no matter what your religion happens to be and I would wholeheartedly recommend taking a tour here. The Sistine Chapel and its intricate ceiling gets the main headlines here but or me it was places like the map rooms which really blew me away. Naturally this is a place which gets very busy, very quickly so be sure that you go as early in the morning as you can. A tour is worthwhile as there is so much to talk about in this ancient city.

Centro Storico

The Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain are easy to find and see, I wouldn’t include them necessarily as ‘something to do’ however. What I would suggest is that you head down to the Centro Storico and take in modern day Rome and how the people go about their lives here. Here is where you’ll find little markets selling baroque art, small plazas where people dance and sing, hidden streets with independent coffee stores and restaurants, the real Rome as I like to call it. To scratch beneath the surface of the city a little, this is where I’d recommend that you go.

Rome’s Colosseum – all you need to know

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Say Rome to most people and they’ll think of all sorts of things – great food, stunning architecture and fascinating history. For sure, it’s got to go on your bucket-list. There’s loads to see and do in the Italian capital – you can do most things in a day but a longer city break would the best option to absorb all that Rome offers.

Rome is home, of course, to one of the New Wonders of the World – the Colosseum, or the Colosseo, as it’s known locally. And if you’re in town, it’s well worth a visit. Here’s all you need to know about landmark that’s known the world over.

It’s a ‘wow’ attraction

It may not be in perfect condition, but what’s left of Rome’s Colosseum is still awe-inspiring. The massive, dominating structure is one of the New Wonders of the World – having been voted for by 90 million people. A team of experts had a good think about it and decided it was a ‘masterpiece of unquestionable value’ – loved by Romans and visitors alike.

When you walk up to the Colosseum, you won’t fail to be stunned. Standing beside it, you can really imagine what it would have been like in its day, and the sounds that would have come from it. The round structure could bring in massive crowds around its central arena.

Not just big – it’s the largest of its kind

In its day, the Colosseum had four rows with 80 arcades. Each one of those had 70,000 seats. Imagine how many people altogether. The best way to get an idea of this is to take a Colosseum Arena Floor tour.

It’s the largest amphitheater in the world. A huge monument, that’s gone on to remain a symbol of Rome’s past. And it’s why so many visitors flock to it every year to see this wonder of ancient architecture – and why it’s also so loved by modern day Romans as well.

The famous gladiators…

Go to the Colosseum and you’ll no doubt see a gladiator or two – well, not real ones, but guys dressed up as them, and who are happy to pose for a tourist photo if you line their hand with euros. They’re a symbol of the Colosseum’s lively and infamous past.

The Flavian Amphitheatre, which was built by Emperor Vespasian, was where games happened in ancient Rome. Of course, they were the scene of gladiator fights. These usually involved prisoners of war or slaves – the aim was to win their freedom.

There were also re-enactments of naval battles on artificial lakes. Julius Caesar first brought up the idea, but it was Titus who first brought the display to the Colosseum – with water coming into the arena and outside of it. 

Getting there

You’ll find the Colosseum at Piazza del Colosseo 1 in Rome and it’s open every day. You can reach it by taking a bus, there are many of them so check local listings. You can also take Tram number 3 and Metro Line B, to the ‘Colosseo’ stop.

Top three things to see and do in Rome this winter

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When most people plan a winter getaway, they think of snow-capped mountains and cosy wooden cabins, but city breaks can be just as enjoyable if you know where to go. One of the most popular winter destinations these days is Rome, and with so much on offer, it isn’t hard to see why. We’ve put together our top things to see and do to save you some time when you decide to head there this season.

  1. Visit the attractions it’s famous for

All the locals say that the best time to visit places like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are during the winter months. Why? Because there are nowhere near the number of tourists compared to the rest of the year.

There will be no waiting around in queues or getting frustrated with crowds, so try to take in as many of these sites as possible during your stay. From the Sistine Chapel and the Pantheon, to when you stop for a gelato on the Spanish Steps, you’ll be able to marvel at the beautifully preserved ancient architecture and relics in peace.

  1. Take in an opera

With a city so rich in history and culture, it’s not surprising that one of Rome’s favourite past times is indulging in the art of music. From classical concerts and operas, to elegant ballets, you’ll be able to find a jam-packed schedule of events over the winter season.

Whether you’re heading there for New Year and you want to catch their famous annual concert, or you’re itching to watch an opera to rid you of January blues, just make sure you book your tickets before they all sell out. These are incredibly popular events, so head over to Rome Opera Tickets to reserve your seat.

  1. Write a new recipe book

If you’re a lover of gastronomy whose favourite part about winter is the comfort food, you’ll feel right at home in Rome this season. For one thing, you’ll be surrounded by all the treats that Italy is famous for, including a pizza parlour on every corner, not to mention plenty of gelato vendors. During the winter months though, you’ll find that it’s Panettone and frappe that are the most popular sweet treats around, while you can get delicious hot bowls of Pasta e ceci (pasta and chickpeas) and minestra (vegetable and pasta soup) for lunch.

There will be plenty of food markets for you to make your way around too, where you can pick up cooking tips from the locals. Who could go to one of the most magical cities in the world at Christmastime and not sample the festive fayre, or purchase some souvenirs for the family along the way? Head for Piazza Navona for a real seasonal treat.

When are you heading to Rome? We’d love to hear what you have planned, so don’t forget to share your story by leaving a comment in the section below.