My Guide to The Eternal City

For the most popular sites like Vatican City and the Colosseum, you want to book tours (preferably a skip-the-line during busy seasons) well in advance.

You can’t miss the exquisite Trevi Fountain - avoid the crowds and visit at night to see its illuminated splendor.

I also love visiting the old Pantheon and walking around the famous Piazza Navona. It is a busy square with beautiful churches and restaurants on the sidewalk. It's great for watching people.

If you’re a foodie, plan a visit to Rome’s massive Eataly grocery store, where you’ll find the most authentic Italian specialties, from coffee to pasta to wine.

Rome is also home to several tranquil gardens for those wanting to escape the bustle of the city center. I love walking through Savello Park (Orange Garden), adjacent to Aventine Hill. A lesser-known attraction in this area is the Aventine Keyhole - where you’ll see people lined up to peek through the tiny keyhole of a church door. I won’t spoil the surprise of what you’ll see - but it’s worth the wait.

Rome is world-renowned for its unparalleled food and wine scene - enjoy pasta, pizza, wine, fresh vegetables, gelato, paninis, and delicious espresso to your heart’s content. Some of the best local pasta dishes include cacio e pepe, amatriciana, carbonara, and pasta gricia. Another unique Roman dish (in season) is fried artichokes, also known as carciofi alla giudia. My favorite place for fried artichokes is Nonna Betta, in Rome’s Jewish Quarter.

Coffee:

You can’t go wrong starting your day with a cappuccino and cornetto al bar at two of the city’s oldest coffee bars: Sant Eustachio and La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro. Both are close to the Pantheon.

Pizza:

While it’s hard to find bad pizza in Rome, Antico Forno Roscioli, Forno Campo de' Fiori, and Panificio Bonci are just a few places that take one of the world’s most popular foods to the next level.

Pasta:

For mouthwatering fresh pasta dishes paired with the finest Italian wines, book a table at one of these faves: Armando al Pantheon, Da Enzo, or Flavio al Velavevodetto.

Gelato:

It’s no secret that I could eat gelato for every meal in Italy, and there are fantastic gelaterias on almost every street corner. You’ll find some of the creamiest and most flavorful gelatos you’ve ever had at Otaleg and Fior de Luna. Another dessert-centric discovery I made on my last trip was Mr. 100 Tiramisu (near the Pantheon), which features more than 100 tiramisu offerings, along with local wines and cheeses.