Italy : Bel Paese
“La bellezza si risveglia l’anima di agire.” — Dante (“Beauty awakens soul to act.”)
The beauty of the Italian capital is undisputed. You just can’t take a wrong step in Rome which is one of the reasons why Italy is called “Bel Paese” meaning “Beautiful country”. To visit Rome is to start a love affair. The Italian capital is an epic metropolis that will steal your heart with its architectural masterpieces, its buzzing piazzas and its romantic cobbled lanes.
Rome in 3 days
The basic itinerary will be like so: Day 1: Ancient Rome, where we’ll visit Largo Di Torre Argentina, Chiese di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Pantheon, Colosseum. Day 2: The Vatican’s famous Saint Peter’s Cathedral and Saint Peter’s Square. Day 3: Central Rome and in there the world’s most beautiful Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps and the Villa Borghese.
Day 1: Ancient Rome
Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palantine Hill, Pantheon
-Exploring The Ancient Ruins Of Rome
Expected expenses — €120
Colosseum, Palantine Hill and Roman forum — €90 Pantheon, Chiesa Di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva — FREE
First of all I suggest buying the Roma pass (€25 and Valid 3 days) as it gives free access to 2 museums and also unlimited access to Public transport.
Chiesa Di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
A short walk from up to the Via dei Cestari will bring you to the only Gothic church in the megacity of Rome. This church is built above a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Minerva. The church has a beautiful ceiling decorated with starry skies.
Pantheon
Continue walking past the church and you will find the Pantheon. It is a 2000 year old Roman temple which is exceptionally preserved to this day. It is now a church but is still an ancient marvel of architecture. A cool fact about this structure is that it is the biggest unreinforced concrete dome ever built in human history. A lot of people have said that the best way to enjoy the feeling is to lay down at the centre of the floor and look up at the sunlight in the centre of the dome.
TAKE A BREAK: Walk up to Piazza Navona and have a cup of coffee or something. The Italians love their coffee (not as much as they love their wine!)
Take the line 87 bus from Pantheon to reach the Colosseum
Colosseum
The iconic symbol of Roman power, it was built by the emperor Vespasian. What we see today is only a dull reflection of its past glory at one time, the amphitheater could seat 50,000 spectators. When inaugurated by the emperor’s son Titus, 100 days of games were held. It is one of the seven wonders of the world.
Roman forum
Today just ruins was once a dazzling complex of marble-clad temples, proud basilicas and vibrant public spaces — the gleaming heart of the ancient city of Rome. The Roman forum provides a glimpse of life of ancient Rome city life.
ACCOMMODATION: Nowadays with the help of the internet bag yourselves a decent deal in a 3–4 Star hotel and have a good night’s sleep.
Day 2: The Vatican
Sistine Chapel, St.Peter’s Basilica, Necropolis, Castel Sant’Angelo
-Discovering The Vatican City Jewels
Expected expenses — €130
St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine chapel, Castel Sant’Angelo — €100 St. Peter’s sq., Vatican necropolis — FREE
Saint Peter’s Square
This great, monumental square is the brainchild of Bernini, who constructed it between 1656 and 1667. Today, the piazza represents the core of the Vatican city. Oval in form, the square is bound by a semicircular Colonnade and is 240m at its greatest diameter. In the centre of the square stands the Egyptian obelisk with four bronze lions at its base. It was brought back from Heliopolis during the reign of Emperor Caligula. Beyond the right colonnade is the bronze door that leads to the Vatican Palace.
Saint Peter’s Basilica
Rome’s largest, richest and most spectacular church, Saint Peter’s Basilica is a monument to artistic genius, as well as a major tourist attraction. The original basilica was built by Constantine in the 4th century but it fell into disrepair until Bramante began a radical redesign. But this basilica is most known for Michelangelo, who took over the project in 1547.
TAKE A BREAK: Take a cup of coffee or a drink from a nearby cafe and soak in the nice afternoon sun. Have lunch, maybe some Pasta.
Vatican Necropolis
Two floors under the massive St. Peter’s Basilica lies hidden one of the Vatican’s best kept secrets: the partially excavated Roman Necropolis — a dark city of house-like mausoleums placed along the narrow, dark streets, and adorned with frescoes, inscriptions, and stucco decorations. It was here that, in the early 1940s, a grave was excavated, inscribed with the words “Petros Eni” (Peter lies here) in Greek, which was the language of early Christian community from the Eastern Roman Empire. Inside, the remains of a tall man were discovered, claimed today by the Vatican as the bones of St. Peter, one of the original Apostles.
Sistine Chapel
The Vatican’s masterpiece is the 15th century Capella Sistina, where Michelangelo’s 800sq-m ceiling fresco illustrates the creation of man by the hand of God. Michelangelo covered the chapel’s 200sq-m west wall with souls facing the wrath of God.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Originally built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian, the Castel Sant’Angelo also known as the Hadrian’s Tomb sits on the banks of River Tiber and is one of the oldest buildings in Rome. From its construction to date, it has evolved from being a tomb, to a fortress, to a castle, and finally, a museum. Today it is open to the public, and you can climb right to the top from where you can experience gorgeous views of the city.
Now you could choose to shop around the city or go back to your hotel.
Day 3: Central Rome
Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese
-Sauntering Through Central Rome
Expected expenses — €50
FREE Entries to all the listed places.
Piazza Novana
Start your day after a hearty breakfast, around 10:30 AM and walk the length of one of Rome’s most treasured squares, the Piazza Navona. Centered around 3 lavish fountains — Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro and Fontana di Nettuno ; Piazza Navona is a true example of a hive of activity. It flaunts Bernini sculptures, elaborate fountains, a magnificent church, colourful casts of street artists, quaint cafes and lots of open space, bathing in sunshine and brimming with tourists.
Trevi Fountain
The largest and most impressive of Rome’s famous fountains, this fantastical creation almost fills an entire piazza. Kit was commissioned by Pope Clement XII and executed y Nicola Salvi in 1732. In the large central section, Neptune, preceded by the Tritons, is driven on a chariot drawn by horses which represent the different moods of the sea. In the niche to the left, a statue represents Abundance whereas the one to the right represents heath.
Piazza Di Spagna and the spanish steps
One of the best known and most characteristic piazzas in Rome, this square in Tridente was named after the old Spanish Embassy to the Vatican. The monumental flight of 147 steps, opposite was the work of Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi. In the centre of the piazza stands a fountain, popularly called Barcaccia.
TAKE A BREAK: For a taste of England in Rome, checkc out Babington’s Tea Room, a traditional English tea shop at the foot of the Spanish Steps.
Villa Borghese
This Roman villa has it all: a splendid ground-floor sculpture gallery with intricate Roman floor mosaics ad over the to frescoes; an upstairs picture gallery packed with masterpieces; and a picnic-perfect park.
What to eat?
Pizzas, Pastas, Spaghetti, Meatballs, Steaks, Gelatos, Fococcia, Gnocco Fritto, Saedas are all Italian delicacies but one can also choose to eat Indian food if he pleases to due to the abundance of Indian restaurants in Rome. There are many other cuisines there too, some are, American, Chinese, French. The local street food, family owned restaurants, pizzerias would give you the real taste of Italy and it’ll be ridiculously cheap.
Travel fares
Flight: Aroundtripshouldcostaround₹38,000.
Bus, Train, Tram: Rome pass (€25 /3 days) would allow unlimited public transport for free.
Total cost
₹65,000 should be more than enough per person if the tickets are booked in advance and you are ready to not live in 5 star hotel, even then a 5 star hotel package would be around ₹80,000 for three days.
This blog was winner up in HnT Blogging Competition, conducted officially by HnT Club.
Category: A 2 to 3 days itineary for your dream destination
Hiking and Trekking Club is an adventure sports club that organizes hikes, treks and adventure sports activity for the students and faculty of IIT Mandi, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Picture Courtesy & Content Writer: Kshitij Nair
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