Rome, Italy ~ Kimberly’s Top 10

As I mentioned in a previous post, I went to Rome to recalibrate my life following a professional transition.  Much like the American Heroine in the movie Eat, Pray, Love, I wanted to indulge in great food, stare at amazing works of art and walk on cobblestone streets next to ancient architecture.  Simply stated, I wanted to marvel at beauty.  There is something about beauty that inspires, and I knew that if was able to insert myself in such a landscape that my next steps in life would when clear. And let me just say, Rome did not disappoint and I return home with a plan.  Say, My hope for you is the same.  That your visit to Rome is not just a tick your bucket list, but that you are as moved and tell her how inspired you are.

While I had several weeks in Rome to meander around, you can conceivably hit the high points of the city in a matter of one day.  With that in mind, I’ve group a couple of my top 10 in a manner that reflects how you could visit them all in one day.  So, I suppose that makes it my top 10 mixed with a few day schedules.

I’ve hot linked previous detailed posts on my recommendations if you would like more information.  Also, thought it helpful upload a city map for you:  rome-sightseeing-map

ONE:  Walking Grouping Navona to Spagna ~ Cappuccinos at Piazza Navona and visit Sant’Agnese in Agone Church if it’s open.  From the piazza walk a couple of blocks to the Pantheon then on to Fontana de Trevi with a stop in St Ignatius along the way.  From Trevi Fountain head to Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps.

TWO:  Try the authentic Roman dish of Cacio e pepe

Cacio e pepe

Lobster Linguini

Meatballs

THREE:  Walking Grouping the Altar to the Circus ~ Altar of the Father, Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Circus Maximus

FOUR:  A day trip to Tuscany

FIVE:  Walking Grouping Castel to San Pietro  ~ Castel Sant’Angelo, Vatican City, Basilica San Pietro, Sistine Chapel, and the bridges of the Tiber River

Tiber River to Castel

Bridge of the Tiber River

Tiber River to Vatican

Vatican

SIX: Take a tour of the Roman Catacombs and crypts and learn about the origins of the Christian faith.

SEVEN: Visit the Borghese Villa and Gardens.  Think of this place as the Central Park of Rome with much better art!  It’s the palace of a former cardinal who commissioned top artists and landscapers of the day to build this peaceful oasis in the middle of bustling Rome.  Tickets are limited to prevent crowding, so order in advance!

EIGHT: Basilica San Clemente – This church captures the essence of Rome relative to being called a city that is archeological lasagna.  Layers, and layers of history on top of each other.  San Clemente’s foundation dates back to the 2^nd century with a Mithraic temple.  On top of the temple is a 4^th century church and on top of the church is the Basilica.  And deep underneath it all is a still working aqueduct.

NINE: Capuchin Crypt – A place where the remains of 4,000 monks have been turned into a form of life affirming art.

TEN:  Hit the Tiber Island in central Rome first and attend the Isolina Tiberina Festival.  The festival is free throughout the summer and goes on until the end of August.  Food, drink, pop up shops, then add music and general festivities.