Listen to Tara’s blog here.

After living six weeks in the city of Rome, I have come to the conclusion that no matter how much time you have here, there will always be more to see and do. This is my first time in Europe and first time in Italy. 

With some of the most iconic places being located in Rome, here are some of my favorite places and things to do when traveling! 

Colosseum 

The Colosseum is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is an amphitheater that was used for hosting gladiator games and fights. When coming to Rome, this was the historical sight I was most excited to see and learn about. Now, it remains my favorite place to visit and walk around in the city. 

There are many tour options available for the Colosseum. Whether you do a guided walking tour, a self-led tour, or read the information spread throughout the Colosseum, you will have an experience that takes you back to the ancient Roman times when the Colosseum was built in CE 70. 

Because the Colosseum is so massive, it can be seen from many places across Rome. For me, it is a ten minute walk from the CIEE building. On most days, I find myself walking for fresh air, grabbing a bite to eat, or refilling my water bottle with an amazing view of the Colosseum in the background! 

Each day I am more and more amazed by the Colosseum. Here are some of my favorite facts about it! 

• The Colosseum was completed in 80 AD.
• There was an underground area where animals, a network of tunnels, chambers, and even prisoners were stored before the games began. 
• The Colosseum can hold over 50,000 spectators. 
• Many animals were used for staged hunting or executions. At one point, lions, tigers, wolves, elephants, hyenas, buffalo, hippopotamuses, wild boar, leopards, and even giraffes were seen in the Colosseum. 
• A series of earthquakes destroyed the structure of the Colosseum in the fifth century CE. 
• Since the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, there has been an interest in preserving the Colosseum. Restoration projects have been happening ever since.

If you ever find yourself in Rome, you will not be disappointed by the Colosseum or all of the facts about it! 

Vatican City 

Did you know that the smallest country in the world is the Vatican City? It is the home to the Pope and has a population of less than 1,000 people. Every day when I walk to the school, I pass this beautiful area which holds one of the most famous rooms in the world: the Sistine Chapel. 

Like the Colosseum, there are many ways to tour the Vatican City. Some choose to go in for tours, while others go on with their day walking around the sacred place. I would suggest booking a guided tour through a site like Trip Advisor. This ensures that your tickets are valid and you will have an informative tour with an expert.  

Within the walls of the Vatican City, you can tour the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Additionally, every Wednesday the Vatican holds a Papal Audience. Just last week, I was attending this ceremony where the Pope blesses locals and visitors in the crowd. 

The Vatican City is a beautiful place to tour and experience during your time in Rome. Simply walking around the area to view the statues on top of the building or admiring the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica will take your breath away. 

 

Here are some facts about the Vatican City! 

• The Pope is protected by Swiss guards who were first hired in 1506.
• Michael Angelo completed paintings in the Sistine Chapel in four years. 
• St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world. 
• St. Peter’s Square is an elliptical space that is made up of 284 columns. 

Tara’s Travel Tip: Make sure you are wearing appropriate clothing for the Vatican. You are required to cover your knees and shoulders at all times and are not allowed to wear a hat inside. 

Walking Tours of Rome 

No matter where you walk in Rome, you will find yourself stumbling upon ancient ruins or old churches. So, take a day to walk around! Start at your hotel or wherever you are staying and let yourself wander, as I say in many of my blogs. 

Because I have been here for six weeks, I have explored as much as possible. This exploration led me to the Roman Forum, the center of daily life in ancient Rome. Here, there are ruins of temples. Some of these temples only have remains like stairs, while others stand tall. 

On the same day, I decided to enter a church that I pass almost every day. There are numerous churches in Rome that go back centuries. Therefore, I decided to walk inside. Immediately, I was captivated by the stained glass, paintings on the ceilings, and statues that decorated the interior of the church. From the outside, this church looks like a regular building on a busy street. But, after entering and taking time to appreciate what was around me, the inside was anything but ordinary. 

Talking yourself on a walking tour is a great way to get to know your way around the city. From doing this just a few times, I was able to find my way to school and home effortlessly. And, along the way, I found some hidden gems that are in the city of Rome. 

Trevi Fountain

Do you want to make a wish in the most famous fountain in the world? You’re in luck! The Trevi Fountain is located in Rome and is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit. 

The fountain was built during the Renaissance and was designed by Nicola Salvi. To this day, it is a place to throw coins and make wishes. 

According to legends, if you throw one coin into the fountain, you will return to Rome. If you throw two coins into the fountain, you will return to Rome and fall in love with an Italian. And, if you throw three coins into the fountain, you will that marry that person. 

Because there are so many coins that are thrown into the fountain everyday, in 2001 the Mayor decided to donate the coins. So, almost everyday, the coins from the Trevi Fountain are collected and donated to charity. 

 

Here are some facts about the Trevi Fountain! 

• The fountain is one of the oldest sources of water in Rome. 
• Trevi Fountain appears in many films like Roman Holiday and the Lizzie McGuire Movie. 
• The fountain is built from Travertine stone, which is the same material the Colosseum was built with. 

As mentioned previously, it is almost impossible to see everything in Rome. Within my six weeks here, these places are some of my favorites. Though they are tourist attractions, they are well worth the visit! It is amazing to learn and see the work from ancient Roman times. 

 

If you ever find yourself in Italy, specifically Rome, check out these locations! Thank you for reading this week’s blog and following along with my travels in Italy! Stay tuned for my next blog: what I have been reading while being abroad. 

 

 

 

 

Hi friends! My name is Tara Roumes and I am a junior here at URI. With a double major in journalism and English, you can always find me writing! When a pen isn’t in my hand, a fresh cup of coffee and a book often replace it. My love for books can be found on Instagram, @taras_littlelibrary, where I post reviews and connect with other avid readers. If I am not reading or writing, I am definitely claiming a front-row seat at any athletic event on campus, playing with my two dogs, or listening to Harry Styles. This is my second semester blogging for Inside Rec and I am so excited to share my experiences, thoughts, and opinions with you! Right now I am studying abroad in Cape Town then I head to Sydney and Rome!