I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT ROME, we were only there for a real HOT minute (36 hours-ish) but it’s def. worth talking about because we still managed to see just about everything we wanted to see. We were really efficient in Rome (w/ thanks to the PINBOX app which I swear by for travel)
To get to Rome from Positano, we took the same two trains I discussed in the Positano post, but backwards & we got off at the Rome station. It was easy. When we got to the Rome train station we took a cab to our hotel. The cab driver was not the nicest & tried to charge us extra cause we had suitcases? The first thing I noticed, DEF. more of a language barrier in Rome than Florence & Positano.
We got into Rome around 2pm & tbh, I was so fucking tired I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I laid down for a second to read my book (The Last Mrs. Parrish– couldn’t put this one down the whole trip!!) & the next thing I know it was 4 in the morning. Zack went out to see some sites while I slept & I WAS PISSED he didn’t wake me up… but he was being sweet, he knew I needed the sleep in a bad way.
So really, we did Rome in less than 12 hours.
IN RETROSPECT, even though you can manage seeing a TON in one day, I suggest staying for atleast 2 days, 3 if you like to move at a more leisurely pace. If you are reading this & heading to Rome, so so so jealous of you rn!!! I’ve been to Rome twice before & it’s always been my favorite… & I am def kicking myself we weren’t there just a smiddddge longer.
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wearing: Puma ribbed jumpsuit | Fila Disruptor 2 sneakers | Quay ‘Hindsight’ Sunglasses
THE FASHIONLUSH GUIDE TO ROME
Where We Stayed in Rome:
+ LEON’S PLACE HOTEL: this boutique hotel is on the nicer end, but was surprisingly not too expensive. Since we were only there two nights & it was the last leg of our trip, we wanted something a tad more plush & bougie. Literally though- the beds were SO PLUSH like a huge cloud, with a flat screen TV & all the channels were American show & in English.
The hotel itself had a BEAUTIFUL very modern Rome vibe to the decor- black velvet, tufted couches, bright yellow accents, chandeliers, marble, etc. & they greeted you with fresh spa water.
The whole thing was right up my alley & the breakfast in the morning was ON POINT. They had an insane breakfast spread of anything & everything you could imagine, including a legit honeycomb dripping fresh honey for your toast.
Transportation in Rome:
Our hotel gave us a map which showed us the metro system & pointed us where we wanted to go. In Rome, metro is the way to go. I think it was 8 euro for 24 hours so we just rode it all day from place to place. It ended up being a great time for me to read my book that I couldn’t get my nose out of.
It CAN get confusing if you’re directionally challenged…. BUT here’s a trick: use your phones maps because they will walk you through the metro system telling you which direction train to get on & which stop to get off at. IT’S EASY.
wearing: The Lab 25 ‘Lovebirds’ dress | Fila Disruptor 2 sneakers | Quay ‘Hindsight’ Sunglasses
What we Did in Rome:
+ VATICAN MUSEUM & SISTINE CHAPEL: this was the first stop on our day cause it was furthest away from our hotel so we wanted to start there & make our way back. We purchased tickets in advance, but again (same as Florence), this shit got way too confusing. It said we didn’t need to go to a meet up spot & we could use the tickets sent to our phones but then when we got to the Vatican they said they weren’t official tickets. We ended up having to buy tickets twice, so at this point I am the only person who will tell you that maybe buying tickets in advance is a bigger pain in the ass than a line.
ANYWAYS- the Vatican is huge. If you had all day, you could literally spend 3+ hours there. The walk through the Vatican museum was INSANE. The ceiling art seemed like it went on for miles & then you end at the Sistine Chapel. Honestly, the Sistine Chapel was a little too packed for me. I got super claustrophobic, but it was beautiful!
There are no phones in the Sistine Chapel & they say to cover your shoulders & knees. I do this out of respect, but SO many people were wearing crop tops, short dresses, and sleeveless top. I am not saying do this, but just an FYI.
+ SPANISH STEPS: after the Vatican we took a train back to the other side of the river where all the sites were. We went to the Spanish Steps where we literally just sat, relaxed, & drank Aperol Spritz’s while I *shocker* read my book.
+ TREVI FOUNTAIN: the Trevi fountain is walking distance so we came here next & almost cried. It was HUGE & breathtaking. CROWDED beyond belief & near impossible to get a photo, but I still could sat there all day wedged between strangers. The history, the massiveness, the sparkly blue water.
+ PANTHEON: still on foot, we went to the Pantheon next. Also massive, also beautiful, also ANCIENT. The horses outside were kind of a buzzkill for me cause they looked so miserable, along with the beggars on the streets that were pulling on my heart strings.
+ COLOSSEUM: after seeing all the sites & stopping for food, the sun was starting to go down so got on the train & rushed to the Colosseum. SADLY- we didn’t make it time. It was still beautiful at night & way less crowded, so maybe it wasn’t the worst thing? We were starving anyways (…FOOD DEETS COMING UP NEXT, cause oh em gee the food!!).
+ TRAVESTERE NEIGHBORHOOD: this one we did NOT have time to do, but I wanted to mention it because if we did have that extra day we wanted we would have gone to Travestere to do some shopping & some eating- specifically at a restaurant called La Fraschetta that is known for having the best Cacio e Pepe (cheese & pepper) pasta in all of Rome.
Where We Ate:
+ GINGER SAPORI E SALUTE: if you need a break from pasta for something more healthy, Ginger Sapori e Salute is the spot. It’s BRIGHT & WHITE inside, great for an Instagram & the ginormous fruit bowls are insane. It’s just past the Spanish Steps, on your way to the Trevi fountain.
+ SANT’EUSTACHIO CAFE: this cute little cafe is right behind the Pantheon & I was told- best coffee in Rome. It was the only coffee I had, but I can say- it was DELICIOUS. I got the Romeo & Juliette coffee drink which I HIGHLY suggest getting if you go. IDK what was in it, but it was refreshing & SO good.
+ ROSCIOLI: This restaurant was kind of a trek- I suggest doing all your site seeing & coming here for dinner (restaurant is closed for lunch) & MAKE A RESERVATION in advance. Get the burrata w/ sun dried tomatos. Drooling.
+ EATALY: after the Colosseum we took a train to this Italian grocery store someone HIGHLY recommended. It was kinda far & definitely looked like where the locals go to do their grocery shopping/grab a bite. It was worth it though cause I love seeing what peoples grocery stores look like in foreign countries & this was the BEST- everything was so fresh & the produce was HUGE.
Downstairs they have an INSANE pasta restaurant (I got the burrata pasta w/ cherry tomatoes & it was to.die.for) & upstairs they had a fish restaurant & a meat restaurant. You could bring your pasta to the meat restaurant & your fish the the pasta restaurant which was COOL cause we didn’t have to get the same thing. I am more into pasta than Zack.
They also have cooking classes which would have been fun if we had time, although I like being outdoors while travelling. It was a little out there & going at night made it harder to navigate, I’d suggest going for lunch instead.
Where to Shop in Rome:
+ MISS SIXTY: heartbroken we didn’t have time to pop in to the Miss Sixty store. Miss Sixty is SO Italian & I shopped at this exact store when I was 11, in Rome. I wanted to go back & get some rad denim (they have the best denim!!!). It would’ve been the ideal spot to cash in on the VAT refund.
+ VIA DEL GOVERNO VECCHIO: this street is LITTERED with epic vintage. Honestly, from what I saw, this was the BEST shopping street. The stores were all filled to the brim with Italian designer vintage (Fendi, Gucci, Prada, YSL) & just some epic throwback t-shirts, cowboy boots, etc. BASICALLY- all the cool shit we hunt hard for here, they had it in the MASSES.
Where to Have a Bougie Beverage in Rome:
+ CLUB DERRIÉRE: I am not a big drinker, so typically I don’t do a ton of nightlife (more like a book & bed)… but there was one bar I have to mention cause I REALLY wanted to go when in Rome & we didn’t have time. GO FOR ME & send pics, K?
It’s a chic speakeasy that a friend told me about & there is an armoire that opens in the bar & leads you into a secret room. Basically, my dream bar… if I liked bars.
