By Stuart Forster
With direct flights from Newcastle, a wealth of visitor attractions and a reputation for good food and drink, Rome is an attractive destination for a city break.
Gazing towards the Colosseum while sipping an Aperol Spritz in the afternoon sunshine felt like vindication for selecting the Italian capital for a four-night getaway.
The rooftop terrace of the Caffetteria Italia al Vittoriano offers fine views of the Roman Forum. The café is part of the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, which rises like a stepped wedding cake to dominate the heart of Rome. Built to honour the country’s first king and the Risorgimento movement, which spurred the unification of Italy in 1861, the monument provides vantage points ideal for orientating. Sipping in the views was just as enjoyable as slowly downing one of Italy’s signature cocktails.
City breaks are all about sampling local flavours and seeing top attractions while enjoying moments of reflection and appreciation of the destination. Pausing for a gelato, an espresso or a glass of something stronger represents an opportunity to observe people and soak up the rhythm and buzz of surroundings.
In a city such as Rome, it is easy to remain constantly on the go. It has so much to see and do. Typically, people want to pack in as much as possible. Contrarily, travellers’ desires to work through lists of major sights and museums can be detrimental to enjoying a destination, as the compulsion to ‘make the most of a trip’ can create pressure that results in failing to take time to embrace a place’s essence. With that in mind, pre-booking tickets for just one major attraction a day provides a framework for experiencing highlights and helps combat the risk of sightseeing fatigue.
It’s easy to lose track of time rambling around the ruins of the world’s largest-ever amphitheatre and then on to the Roman Forum, where 1,900 years ago citizens may have chuntered about the ramifications of the emperor Hadrian constructing a wall in distant Britannia. Surely it would be too much to combine that with a visit to the Vatican in a single day?
Prebooking a visit to the Vatican Museums helps minimise time spent queuing to enter. Choosing a slot early in the day provides a reason to head to the Vatican ahead of the crowds and opportunities to snap selfies on the still-deserted piazza in front of St Peter’s Basilica.
The variety and breadth of artefacts and artworks in the Vatican Museums is mindboggling. With Ancient Egyptian mummies, rooms painted by the Renaissance master Raphael and gems such as Vincent van Gogh’s Pietà, even a half-day visit can feel a tad rushed. Be prepared to crane your neck at spectacular ceilings, the most celebrated being the Sistine Chapel – where photography is not permitted.
Yet another of Michelangelo’s works, the Porta Pia, an ornate gate next to the British Embassy, is one of multiple landmarks in Rome that people might photograph unaware of their provenance and heritage. In many cities, the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the Art Nouveau Galleria Sciarra would be virtuoso attractions but they are simply part of the orchestra in Rome.
The Borghese Gallery displays paintings by the likes of Caravaggio and sculptures by Bernini. Hiring a buggy and pedalling around the vast park surrounding the world-famous art museum is an enjoyable way of exploring before dropping into the city and strolling to the Piazza di Spagna, the location of the Spanish Steps, and on towards the Trevi Fountain.
Chucking a coin into the fountain reputedly means that you’ll return. There are certainly plenty of reasons to plan a trip to Rome.