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Welcome to Rome! Rome is a fantastic city and it has something for everyone from history buffs, to food lovers, to wine lovers, to art lovers, to fashion lovers…. You get the point. But because of that, it is SO EASY to get overwhelmed especially if you only have a short time in the city. Take it from us, we lived there and there are still things we didn’t get a chance to see! But we are here to help you! Planning a Rome itinerary is a balancing act. You want to make sure that you see everything but you still want to experience the city like a local. We took our experience from living in Rome but also Ashley’s experience as a tour guide to curate the perfect Rome itinerary. These itineraries will help you plan out the perfect days in Rome so that you can see most of the major sights and also experience Rome as a local! 2 Day Itinerary Two days in Rome is doable but be prepared to hit the ground running. There is a lot to see, do and eat (!) and just 48 hours to accomplish it in. In two days in Rome we are going to be hitting the highlights, the things you absolutely can’t miss, when in Rome. So buckle up and let’s explore the Eternal City! Day 1 Grab a Cappuccino and Let’s Go! Heart of Ancient Rome This morning we are going to tackle the heart of Ancient Rome with a tour of the Coliseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. You can choose to either take a tour (we would suggest a tour with Dark Rome - the tour is 3 hours and covers all three sights) or you can do it on your own. If you decide to go on your own be sure to pick up tickets beforehand online so you don’t have to wait in line. If for some reason you can’t get tickets ahead of time, purchase them at either the Palatine Hill or the Forum to skip the line at the Coliseum. The tickets are good for all three sights so take advantage of the shorter lines and avoid the Coliseum lines! Book a Dark Rome Tour Here! Buy Your Coliseum Tickets Here! Lunch in Jewish Ghetto at Sora Margherita 30 Piazza delle Cinque Scole The Jewish Ghetto was officially abolished in 1888, making it the last remaining Jewish Ghetto in Europe until the 1930s, however, it is is still a heavily Jewish neighborhood with their own culture, cuisine and even dialect (Giudeo-Romanesco). But we are here for one reason only, the Jewish artichoke. The Jewish artichoke is a delectable dish of fried artichoke and our favorite is at Sora Margherita. Sora Margherita is a restaurant that exemplifies what we love about Rome. It is loud, brusque, chaotic, filled to the brims, and serves up delicious food. They do not speak English here and the menu is all in Italian so look carefully for “Carciofi all Guidia” aka our Jewish artichoke. The artichoke is served up fried and you must eat it with your hands if you don’t want to be chastised. This restaurant has more than just their artichokes, though. Their menu is filled with classic dishes like cacio e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper), polpette al sugo (meatballs in sauce), and pasta carbonara. Expect to wait as this place is always packed! *You can get two types of artichokes in Rome - the Roman artichoke which is braised in white wine and the Jewish artichoke which is fried. Afternoon to explore Centro Storico After all that delicious food, it is time for a walk through the Centro Storico or the Historical Center (not like all of Rome isn’t historical…). From Sora Margherita, cross into Campo dei Fiori. If you are early, the daily farmers’ market may still be going on or take in the statue of Giordano Bruno who scowls at the Vatican (since they were the ones responsible for executing him on that spot). After the bustling Campo dei Fiori and maybe a coffee at Bar Farnese (106 Via Dei Baullari) head to Piazza Navona, perhaps the most famous plaza in the world. After marveling at the intricate artistry of Bernini and studying all the art for sale, be sure to head to the back of the Piazza on Piazza di Tor Sanguigna to catch a glimpse of the Roman ruins beneath the piazza. Piazza Navona was originally the Stadium of Domitian, constructed for foot races in Ancient Rome, and the stadium gave Piazza Navona its oval shape. Your final stop will be at the Pantheon, my favorite building probably anywhere…. The building you see now was built by Emperor Hadrian in 126CE however, there was an earlier temple on the spot built by Marcus Agrippa which is what you see on the dedication on the front. The Pantheon is most known for its dome and oculus. The IN PURSUIT OF ADVENTURE Pantheon’s dome is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world and even Michelangelo decided not to out do it with the dome of Saint Peter’s. Then on top of it, the dome has a giant hole in it, the oculus. To this day, archaeologists still do not know how the dome was constructed. So not only is the Pantheon one of the best-preserved buildings in all of Ancient Rome but we have no idea how they did it! All you have to do is enter the building and take it all in! If you happen to be in Rome during Pentecost make sure you head to the Pentecost Mass (as the Pantheon is now a church). Even if you aren’t religious it is worth a visit as at the end of mass they throw red rose petals from the oculus! Grab a Glass of Wine at Bar del Fico Bar del Fico is a calming oasis near Piazza Navona which will welcome you in after a day of sightseeing. There is a lovely patio outside tucked away in a medieval alley with fig trees and a circus themed interior that still has a shabby chic feel (but not trying too hard). The bar has recently undergone a revival but still maintains its effortless cool that it has always had. Join the locals for an afternoon glass of wine or cocktail and embrace la dolce vita! Dinner at Pizzeria da Baffetto or Osteria del Pegno Depending on what you are feeling for dinner, there are a few different options close to each other. Pizzeria Baffetto 114 Via del Governo Vecchio For something casual and typically Roman we would suggest Pizzeria Baffetto. This is a very popular pizza place and exemplifies loud and chaotic Romans. Plus it has some of the best pizza in Rome. There is usually a line outside but the wait is not that long as the restaurant is three stories tall and everyone is sat family style. My personal favorite pizza is the pizza ai fagioli, pizza with white beans. It sounds weird but it is delicious! IN PURSUIT OF ADVENTURE Osteria del Pegno 8 Vicolo di Montevecchio For a more upscale night out I would suggest Osteria del Pegno. Located around the corner from Pizzeria Baffetto this restaurant specializes in Roman cuisine and is amazing! This is the one restaurant we tell everyone to go to. It is a perfect place for a romantic evening out but it is still casual. The restaurant has a casual elegance and it is really the cuisine that is the star. We would suggest the sea bass pasta with cherry tomatoes if it is in season or the ravioli with zucchini flowers in an orange cream saffron sauce. For the mains, the sea bass topped with thin layers of potatoes and then roasted in the oven is sublime or opt for the hearty and savory rabbit in a tomato sauce. Really anything you get here will be unbelievable. Top off the meal with a fantastic bottle of wine and you just had a perfect Roman meal! *One thing to note is that they can be very busy and I would make reservations beforehand! Drinks at the Jerry Thomas Project 30 Vicolo Cellini If there is a phenomenal speakeasy in Rome then you know we are going to recommend it and the Jerry Thomas Project fits that bill. This is a true speakeasy where you have to discover their password on their website (and we aren’t telling) and make a reservation. But it is well worth it. This 1920s themed bar is hidden by a door down an alleyway in Central Rome and once you are inside you are transported back in time. Their cocktails are sublime by the way and so don’t come here just for the atmosphere! Just don’t stay up too late, even though they are open until 4 am, you have a busy day tomorrow! It is time to explore Renaissance Rome! Day 2 Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica It is time to tackle the Vatican today! You can go two routes: Either book your tickets online or book a tour. I would highly recommend booking your tickets in advance so you do not have to wait in the interminable line and be hassled to book a tour. And whatever you do DO NOT BOOK a tour from the people who hassle you in line. It is not worth it. IN PURSUIT OF ADVENTURE If you decide to book a tour, you will have the benefit of both skipping the line for the Vatican Museums and St.