Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by Tori Pines
Hello again friends! Continue reading my Italy travel journal for day 2 of our adventures.
We started the day walking to the Colosseum. We stopped at the first bar we found for a cappuccino and pastry! I ordered “Un cappuccino por favore” and the guy loved that I was trying my hardest to speak Italian! What was cool was that the whole place was filled with locals! They were standing at the bar talking very loudly and animatedly, having a good time before heading off to work. It was only 6 euro for two drinks and a croissant which we thought was great.
We got to the Colosseum for our entrance time at 9:15 and it was actually pretty empty there that early! By the time we left it was packed so going early is definitely key. We walked straight in, and had a lot less people in our photos than what most people encounter.
The colosseum itself was grand and beautiful and crazy to think how they built it so many years ago. We did the Rick Steves free audio guide again and it was perfect for us. We like to be able to learn and get info on what we are looking at while also getting to be on our own timeline and not get bored with too much detail.
We bought the ticket that included the arena floor, which I definitely think is worth the cost. It’s not necessary and only adds one extra place to see, but pretty neat to stand on what used to be the arena floor.
We really wish we could have seen the underground but tickets sold out basically the moment they went on sale and I wasn’t able to get them later that morning. We could have paid for a separate guided tour of the underground but would have been like 4 times the cost, and we just weren’t interested in doing that this trip. We figured we will definitely be back so we can do some more unique tours the next few times we come.
After that we went to the Roman forum and Palatine Hill which we loved. It is huge and we didn’t even get to walk the whole thing in the two hours we were there. We did the audio guide again and loved it. We would have stayed and just wandered and people watched so much longer but we were starving and already tired from all the walking.
Side note about my attire. I LOVE wearing dresses on vacation, especially these long flowy ones (bonus points if they’re floral printed!) You can buy the dress I’m wearing on Amazon! I also wear shorts underneath for extra comfort, and for shoes I wear Keds sneakers with Vionic arch inserts! This combo set me up for success and I was comfortable for 11 days straight!
We then walked about 25 minutes back to the center of town to have lunch at a place I was so excited for, Pane e Salame and it was honestly so much better than I expected. We each got the medium cutting board (which they combine into one large board) and shared a sandwich. We also each had an Aperol spritz (first one of the trip, yay!) and it was the perfect refreshment for the middle of the day. The total cost for lunch was about 45 euros.
We later went back to the Pantheon to actually go inside this time. The line was long, wrapped around the piazza but took all of about 3 minutes to get in, it was so fast! The Pantheon was almost as stunning and surprising inside as it was out. I love that building so much. I think it’s the sheer size and perfect condition, having been built almost 2,000 years ago.
Afterwards, we checked out the Spanish Steps for the first time and I was so excited to see that the flowers were out! I felt lucky to be here in the spring when they are there, and I had forgotten that they would be there. That might sound silly, but after researching this place for years, I knew that the flowers were a long upheld tradition, and something very special to get to see.
It was very busy but we managed to get some space for a quick photo. Remember, you can’t sit on the steps! There was even someone there policing that rule, blowing her whistle at people. We walked back to the hotel to rest and Austin took a two hour nap, he was exhausted. I took some photos around our pretty hotel.
After the nap we went shopping at some places on via del corso, but we still haven’t bought anything yet! A local told us about a place for aperitivo, a rooftop bar at the Hotel Cesari, and it was perfect!! So quaint and beautiful and peaceful.
There were a bunch of people on one side but we had the whole other side to ourselves and we got to hangout, drink, eat pizza and reflect on the day.
Austin said it was the best part of the trip so far for him. It was a little expensive, wine was 9 euros a glass and the mixed drink was like 13 I think. Pizza was okay and 12 euros. Definitely worth the money for the quality of drinks and the experience.
We walked over to the Colosseum to get some photos of the beautiful structure lit up at night, then walked to Roscioli for our reservation, you have to have a reservation to eat there.
We sat in the wine cellar (highly recommended you ask on your reservation to sit there) and had a wonderful and kind server, insanely delicious burrata and tomatoes, and shared two pastas. Everything was great and even a little better than last night at Da Enzo.
We took a cab home and are ready to sleep!!! We actually called the cab this time because I downloaded the “Free Now” app and it was so fast and easy. Just like calling an Uber, and allows you to pay with Apple Pay, straight through the app.
Overall thoughts for the day, not only do I love this place, I am so in love with the people. They are the kindest and friendliest people and I just love talking to all of them. All of the people we have met seem genuinely happy to have you there, and are always willing to help. They also all speak English, most speak it extremely fluently.
A very important note to all people planning to visit Italy, STAY AWAY FROM THE TOURIST AREAS!!! Let me say it again for the people in the back…stay away, just don’t be tempted!!! The area by the Trevi Fountain tonight was a madhouse and everything looked so cheap and touristy and terrible compared to the local places. Everywhere else has been so peaceful especially in the evening and we love it everywhere else. It’s okay if you want to pick a random place to eat, just please walk away from the tourist attractions before you do so.
I think that is all I have for today. Today we walked 35,000 steps and 16.6 miles, so we are tired. Tomorrow we go to the Vatican and then rent a car and head to Tuscany. Buona Notte!
Make sure you read the Day 3 Daily Journal next, and please be sure to read through all of my Italy travel resources to help you plan the perfect vacation.
