When in Rome: Travel tips

What to do, see, & skip

I've been a typical tourist in Rome three times now. Here are some DOs and DON'Ts I've picked up along the way. 

DO --> 

Do tour the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. And if you're able to hear the Pope's address, do it!

Do go inside the Forum. The first two times I visited Rome we just walked by, thinking it wouldn't be worth the cost of admission. But there's so much to explore in the Forum — ruins, gardens, hidden alcoves & tunnels — and venturing inside is totally worthwhile. You can buy a combined ticket for both the Forum and Colosseum — but I didn't find the inside of the Colosseum as exciting. Maybe that's just because I'm not that into gladiators. (I hated that movie.)

Do visit places like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain (but make sure it's not under construction!), Spanish Steps, and open spaces such as Piazza Navona. These sites are open to the public, full of photo-ops, and you're free to hang out as long as you like!

Do explore Rome at night; walk around the city and bask in the glow of illuminated monuments. The crowds will have dwindled, the vibe is romantic, and you'll probably end up like Adam, saying things like "Rome: The city of love!" (Which is not a real tagline.)

Do walk the Trastevere neighborhood along the banks of the Tiber. A good place to start is near the Garibali and Sisto bridges, aiming for the Piazza Santa Maria. Meander through narrow, cobblestone streets and take in the buzz of sidewalk restaurants and bars. It's an enchanting walk during the day, and at night it comes alive with vendors and performers — a bit touristy, but vibrant and fun.

Do try the best gelato in Rome. On your way to Trastevere, walk across the Garibaldi bridge and you'll run right into a charming gelateria. I'm not saying it's the only place to get "the best" gelato, but based on our experience there really is such a thing as mediocre and amazing gelato. So do go to Antica Gelateria del Viale, (established in 1896!). Insanely tasty. (For how to avoid mediocre gelato, scroll down to the DON'Ts!)

Do savor the best coffee in Rome at Sant'Eustachio near the Pantheon. The cappuccino was, in my very humble opinion, out-of-this-world delish. So rich and creamy. Sugar dispensers are stationed here and there so you can add sweetness to your liking.

Do keep an eye out for fresh fruit stands selling slices of coconut.

Do download the Molto Bene app. It gives you key phrases with an audio file for each, so practicing pronunciation couldn't be easier. The app is free, but if you're serious about learning Italian you can pay for more advanced features and lessons.

DON'T -->

Don't trust TripAdvisor reviews when it comes to restaurants. Adam's mom (with the very best and sweetest of intentions) made dinner reservations for us at what, according to TripAdvisor, were the best ristorantes in Rome. Sadly, they were not that. In one case, the food was rather salty and none of us were blown away. (And why are we in Rome if not to be blown away by the food?) The other place we tried had a menu that was entirely too bizarre: pigeon, sweetbreads, roast potato & black garlic ice cream. No thank you.

What we learned for next time: Ask the locals, walk around, read the menu posted outside each restaurant door, and find a spot where there's something everyone in your party is excited to try. With seemingly dozens of restaurants on every block, finding a place that agrees with everyone should be a breeze!

Don't plan to see St. Peter's and the Colosseum in the same day. On my first trip to Rome, it felt like we walked for days on end. Now I realize that's because we didn't tackle the city and its sites in a very logical way. If you go, break the city down into clusters of manageable walking distance. Approach it this way instead of trying to see everything in one swoop, and Rome is a very walkable city.

Don't settle for mediocre gelato. Before this trip to Rome, I read that you can spot tourist trap gelato by its bright colors, so avoid any places where the pistachio or mint is unnaturally green. Also, in the future I would avoid any gelaterias where there's a brand name plastered above each flavor. I assume this is the equivalent to going to an ice cream shop in the USA that looks quaint but serves Blue Bunny. No thank you! And while this Nutella gelato sounded like the best idea, it was like eating a scoop of hot fudge. Way too rich. So when it comes to gelato, proceed with caution.

**These DOs and DON'Ts are in no way exhaustive and are based solely on my own personal experiences. When in Rome, you do you. Ciao!