Exploring the eternal city of Roma

Since I've watched the Lizzie McGuire Movie when I was in the middle school (I was obsessed with Hilary Duff), I've always dreamt to visit Rome.

I'm a bit embarassed to admit that most of my knowledge about Rome came from this Disney movie and from "The Gladiator". I know, you are shaking your head! But, after this trip, I did come back with a stong historical knowledge and more appreciation for the Roman culture.

Rome has been a wonderful experience. Food was amazing and prices were super affordable. There is so much to see, and in every corner you turn into there is some sort of art or architecture that diserve to be seen.

We went in May, during the high season, so there were tourists everywhere!

Keep on reading and I'll tell you how you can avoid them and still manage to get good artistic shots for your Instagram! I will also provide a link for a free tour which you definitely don't have to miss.

Places you must check out:

There is so much to see in Rome! My husband and I were there for three full days and we were still not able to check off every place on our list. I will not write down my whole list because that would take forever but I will list some of the most important places you should definitely go if you want to experience the authentic city of Roma.

• The Spanish Steps: we were really lucky because we went when the azaleas were in full bloom and the steps just looked gorgeous! And the church dominating behind gives you a breathtaking backdrop. Oh, and the steps are a workout!
• Trevi Fountain: you simply cannot come to Rome and not toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. Make sure to throw a coin into the fountain so you can be ensured a return by the Roman Gods to the eternal city. Also, it's for a good cause. All the money inside the fountain is donated to the Italian charities.

• Colosseum: Okay, no trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Colosseum. Entrance tickets are only 12 euros and that price includes the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, where there are aesthetic architectures you need to see! The ticket allows a visit to each site but you have 48 hours until it expires. The line at the Colosseum entrance are quite long, so here's a tip: buy your Colosseum ticket at the entrance of the Roman Forum. There is basically no line.
• Largo di Torre Argentina: we accidentally stumbled upon this square with the Roman Republic temples and the rests of the Pompei theatre. What is cool about this place is that it is a cat sanctuary. I believe there were about 140 cats being cared in this square. The cats are allowed to roam around the ruins and you can even pet them. However, do not feed them because they are regularly fed by the organization who runs the sanctuary. If you like cats, then this place is definitely up your alley. You will not regret checking it out.
• Piazza Navona: this plaza is huge and very alive. There are two beautiful fountains, one of them is the "Four River Fountain" by the famous Bernini. Here you can watch a couple of street shows, blow bubbles and see some pretty cool street art in action!
• The Pantheon: it is not anything special but definitely a place to see when in Rome.
• The Altar of the Fatherland: this massive, beautiful monument is dedicated to the first King of Italy, Vittorio Emmanuele I. Although it is a workout, you can climb the stairs up to the top. The view is breathtaking and you will capture some nice pictures of the city.

A few places/experiences that were on my list but I didn't have the chance to see/do:

• Visit La Rinascente department store. Apparently, it is the equivalent of the Galeries Lafayette in Paris and Harrod's in London. I've also heard it has a great rooftop view!
• Ponte Sisto: this spot is perfect for great Instagram pictures.
• The artistic, colorful, bohemian Trastevere neighborhood: we briefly walked past it and I thought I would be back but we didn't have enought time. That's a real shame!
• Quartiere Coppede: if you want to see turreted villas, fairytale towers, gargoyles, and arches, you should check out this place.

How is the food culture in Rome?

My husband and I have walked about 25,000 steps per day when we were in Rome, which is a good thing because our diet mainly consisted of pizza, pasta, gelato, and did I mention pizza? The average price for a box of pizza (medium size) is about 7 Euros. I do not know about you but I think that is a great deal for an authentic Italian pizza. Our favorite topping was definitely Diavola, which is basically pepperoni but way better. Oh, what I would do for a Diavola pizza right now. Sigh.

Anyways, food is absolutely spectacular. I will just list a few of my favorite ones, but obviously do not limit your gastronomical experience to these because honestly, I don't think there are any bad Italian restaurants in Rome.

• Giolitti: we were told we could get the best gelatos here and they did not lie. So good.

• Oppio Caffè: are you interested in good food + reasonable prices + a nice view? Nice views meaning, ahem ahem, the Colosseum? Well, if you head to this café around Happy Hour, you'll get unlimited access to a buffet (pasta plates, veggies, meat and fruits) and one drink for only 12 euros. Now, I would say that is a bargain.

• Habana Caffe: located near the Pantheon, their spaghetti alla bolognese are delicious.

Some useful tips:

I'm sure many of you are aware (maybe not) of the following ones, but I've just thought I would take it upon myself to share a few of these tips when traveling in Rome!

• There are many "guides" who stand outside the Colosseum, trying to lure people to join their tour. Do not fall for it. They are overpriced and if you need a tour into the Colosseum, the site offers an audio guide for 10 euros.
• Beware of scammers! There are many of them roaming the city targeting innocent tourists. They especially hang around major touristy spots, usually approaching tourists in a very friendly manner but do not fall for it! If they attempt to put a bracelet around your wrist, just politely decline and continue walking. Even if they say it is a gift or it is free because it is not, and they will pester you until they get some sort of compensation for it. Also, once they tie it on your wrist, it is pretty impossible to remove the bracelet without cutting it and they will create a scene to get their money for it. So, if you see a scammer approaching you, just keep walking.
• Beware of people trying to sell you adaptors, portable chargers, etc. So, maybe you shouldn't completely watch out for them. I mean if they offer you a reasonable price and you are absolutely in need of an adaptor, then you should probably get it. Just keep in mind, these items are very low in quality. I bought a portable charger and I bargained my way down to 5 euros (from 20 euros), but the charger was pretty useless considering it only lasted me about 15-20 minutes. I was a little pissed but I was not suprised.
• If you are into photography and you want to capture good shots, then you might want to hold off the sleep and wake up a little earlier to avoid the crowds. Not only will you be able to get some sweet shots of the most beautiful spots in Rome, but you will also be able to fully enjoy and experience these places without having to look over someone's shoulder or push your way to the front of a crowd. You just have to be willing to sacrifice some sleep!
• Surprisingly, some places doesn't accept credit cards so make sure you have cash with you, just in case.
• Beware for pickpockets! They are usually in crowded places so just be smart about how you carry your things. Make sure you put your phone or wallet in your front pocket. Keep your bag zipped and closed in front of your body.
• Wear comfortable shoes! You will be walking a lot. The cobblestone streets of Rome are not made for high heels. Ok, unless you are an Italian woman who can expertly walk on those streets. Then, you may.
• Carry a water bottle! Especially if you are visiting in the warmer months.

Where to stay in Rome?

We were able to reserve an Airbnb for 33 euros per night, which was a great deal! If you are looking for an accommodation in Rome, make sure you book in advance to get great prices. We were a little far from the center of Rome, but there was a bus stop walking distance from our Airbnb. There are buses every 15 minutes, so transportation wasn't an issue. Bus tickets are only 1. 50 Euros and last for 90 minutes, which means you can get the metro, the train, or even another bus! Just make sure you don't lose the ticket because ticket inspectors do stroll public transportation looking for offenders. Keep it with you until you get off to avoid paying a hefty fine.

On our last day, we decided to walk so we could explore the local neighborhoods on foot and it took us only an hour. Our Airbnb stay was amazing and our host, Sergio, was very hospitable and made us breakfast every morning during our stay.

Last but not least, if you enjoy history and learning about Rome but don't want to pay too much for a tour, you can check out the New Rome Free Tour. They are the original free walking tour of Rome and they have over 3000 reviews. They offer two tours per day so you can choose to go either in the morning or evening. It lasts about two hours and is all in English. These tours are only suggestions (5-20 euros). It is vital you make reservations in advance and print your ticket from the following link:

Free tour

We loved the tour! We learnt a lot about the history of the city and the background of some of the architecture. Our tour guide even showed us the headquarters of Valentino, which was pretty cool. He was also able to recommend a few excellent pizzerias for the best authentic Italian wooden fired pizza! One thing to note, there is a dress code, which the website lists in detail so make sure you follow it.

All in all, I've loved Rome! I would love to visit it again in future. Hopefully, the Roman gods took my wish into account when I threw my coin into the Trevi. Fingers crossed!