Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by Tori Pines
Before we start off on our journey for day 3 of my Italy Travel Journal, I want to start with a few general notes. Italians, amazing, kind wonderful people, and then they get in their car or on their Vespa and become crazy people! But seriously I am in love with the people here. Truly the kindest I have met. They are not always immediately friendly but usually the second you start talking to them you can see how kind and gentle they are. I love them so so so much. Makes the country 10 times better than it was already.
Another note, we have been using Apple Maps for our walking directions and the directions themselves have been great, it sometimes has trouble knowing exactly where we are and which direction we are going but we are slowly figuring it out. Lastly, bring a collapsible water bottle to fill up at the fountains. It’s good for the environment, easy to fit in your purse and you can fill it up, drink and put back in your purse and not have to carry in your hand all day! It’s been so great.
Now onto our day!! I unfortunately got 3 hours of sleep last night, as my brain would just not stop running, and made today extremely tough. I think I was just wired from an incredible day yesterday and could not get my mind to turn off. Maybe I should have had another glass of wine with dinner!! But in true Tori style, I powered through anyway, no time to miss out on a thing!!
We took a taxi to the Vatican Museums and arrived at 7:45, we had a “Breakfast at the Museums – Admission ticket and Breakfast at the Museums”, 45 minutes for breakfast with museum entrance at 8:30, right as it opened. There were definitely people there but it was so minimal, quiet and peaceful and made it so enjoyable. Breakfast was held right in the middle of the courtyard, which was a super unique location and very beautiful. The food was not great, but nice to be fed and get a much needed cappuccino.
The museums are massive. And while we are not huge museum lovers we really really enjoyed this one a lot. We did the Rick Steves audio tour again and it was the best one yet. Not boring at all and moved at a great pace. We saw every room in the museum including the Sistine chapel in an hour and 45 minutes. It actually did not feel long or boring at all! Going early is the way to go.
After, we walked around to the front of Vatican City to get in line for St Peter’s Basilica. The line was wrapped around the circle of the piazza in front and took 45 minutes from the time we got in line to the time we got through security. It continuously moved but still took a long time. Security was quick and easy and then we went in. It is SO much bigger inside than you can imagine.
You see the one big room in the center but then there are a million others along each side filled with art, and so beautiful. We wandered around about 15 minutes and then left. I’m so glad we waited in line. It is so worth it. I’m sure if we had gone before the museum when it opens at 7:30 we could have walked straight in, so that would definitely be the move if you don’t want to wait in line, but we were too tired to get up before 6:45!!
After we were done at the Vatican, we headed over to Bonci’s Pizzarium, a very famous street pizza place that I had heard about a million times. But I am so sad to say, we did not like it. We tried 4 flavors and didn’t really like any of them! It was sad because I was so excited to try, but made us want Casa Manca again, the one we had the first day.
We rushed back to the hotel, packed up, checked out and lugged everything back to the train station to pickup our rental car. A recap on the hotel: We absolutely loved staying at the St. Regis Rome. It was extremely close to the train station, but in the clean and safe areas. Some of the areas by the train station can be not quite as nice, but this area was gorgeous and safe and quiet!
The hotel was so intricately designed, the lobby and the rooms were beautiful. The place was immaculately clean and the bed was extremely comfortable. Best of all was the service. All of the staff was kind, friendly and did everything they could to help, without us even asking! It was luxury at its finest. We will definitely be staying here again one day, and I definitely recommend that you do too!
The rental cars are located on the street nearest to the platform 24 at Roma Termini. It took a while to find but eventually found it after following signs and looking at the map posted on the wall of the train station. It took about 15 minutes to check in, then about 15 minute walk to the parking garage and another 15 or so to get the car. It was a long process but they were so nice that we weren’t mad.
After asking several questions about the ZTLs, they assured me we would not be a charged (yeah right) so we will see how that goes. If you don’t know what ZTLs are, google them, all I know is they basically charge you for driving in local areas that are restricted just to locals to lower the traffic in the downtown areas.
My final notes for Rome, it is a busy city with many tourists and many locals. There is so much to do and see, which keeps it interesting at every moment. The food was good, but not as incredible as I had expected. 99% of the locals know English, which makes it incredibly easy to communicate and even a lot of signs and ads were in English. It’s easy to get around but huge, so lots of walking.
Every single building is beautiful. Covered in graffiti? Still stunning. Dirty and in a bad neighborhood? Beautiful. I think you get the point. Overall, I love it here. It truly takes you back to another time. Takes your breath away at every turn and reminds you how brilliant and talented humans are and have been for so many thousands of years. Be sure to read my post about the best things to do in Rome to help you plan your trip!
We started driving north to Tuscany for a 3 hour drive to Saturnia. Leaving Rome was a little wild but really not bad. Just be sure to keep your eyes peeled because people will walk out into the street and cars will cut you off in a moment’s notice.
Within about 20 minutes we hit the countryside. And I am not ashamed to admit, I started bawling. It FINALLY hit me. We made it. After years of planning and dreaming of this place I knew I belonged in, I really was here. I was so content riding through the country and passing through tiny hilltop towns along the way. I was so blissfully happy.
It was very gloomy today and we had misty rain the whole way there. It made a good photograph very hard to get but I have the beautiful views seared into my brain forever so it’s okay. Around 6pm we made it to our hotel for the night, Villa Acquaviva just outside of Saturnia. We will be going to the Saturnia hot springs, Cascate del Mulino, in the morning so I wanted to stay close by.
I found this little gem of a hotel with just some googling and it’s even more adorable and picturesque than I thought. We have a balcony that looks over the vineyard and up at the most charming hillside town I’ve ever seen. (I’m sure I’m biased, but it’s adorable).
We checked in, Austin took a quick nap and then we headed to dinner at the hotel restaurant, La Limonaia. Wow they blew us away! We walked just across the property to the quaint little restaurant and ordered two appetizers to share, two entrees, a bottle of wine and 3 (don’t judge us!!) desserts to share. Every. Single. Thing. Was. Devine. So so so so perfect. Our best meal yet by far.
Our server amazing woman who was basically running the whole place, she was sweet and funny and we enjoyed her company. There was a big table of locals eating next to us and it made us feel even more at home listening to their melodic Italian conversations. With the help of our bottle of wine, we laughed a lot and discussed our exciting plans for the coming days.
We are going to bed now, full, happy and in the most silent countryside you can imagine. Our cute little hilltop town looking out over us, and the sound of rain pattering on the terracotta roof.
We are exploring Tuscany tomorrow and I hope you’ll join us! Make sure you read the Day 4 Daily Journal next, and please be sure to read through all of my Italy travel resources to help you plan the perfect vacation.
