Our Rome Adventure: Colosseum, Wine Breaks, and Coin Tosses
“Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)” Julius Caesar
8/20/20257 min read
Rome always feels like stepping into a giant outdoor museum. This is our third time coming here, and every time, we see or learn something new. We were leery of what we were cautioned would be massive crowds everywhere due to the Year of the Jubilee. However, a slight drizzle in the sky and, although we were fine walking in it, it kept most people at bay and our trek was less crowded.
On this visit, we started our walking tour at the Colosseum, and even though we’ve seen it before, it still impresses. Last time we were here, we booked an organized tour inside, which we highly recommend. Not only do you skip some of the long lines, but you also get little nuggets of history about how the arena was used for gladiator fights and public events.
Right next to the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum, where you can wander among the ruins of what used to be the heart of the Roman Empire. It’s one of those places where it helps to slow down and imagine the crowds and politics of ancient Rome, which is easy when we recall all the Hollywood movies set in this area.
One of our favorite stops on this trip was Michelangelo’s “Moses” at the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli. It’s tucked away in a quiet church that doesn’t usually make the top-10 lists, but it should. The statue that Michelangelo completed in 1515 is powerful, detailed, and much easier to enjoy without the massive crowds you find elsewhere. While there, you are also able to see the "Chains of St. Peter"!
Of course, no trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Trevi Fountain. Tradition says tossing a coin ensures your return, and since we’ve done it on our other two visits, maybe it really works! Just be prepared for big crowds and keep an eye on your cellphones and wallets—pickpockets are known to work the area. In the heat of the summer, this is a great place to enjoy some gelato, which is easily found around this area.
We also stopped by the Spanish Steps, though part of them were under renovation. Even so, it’s a fun spot to sit for a bit, people-watch, and enjoy the energy of the city. We grabbed some local wine (when in Rome!), some snacks, and had a chance to rest our feet while watching Rome go about its day. Sometimes those simple breaks end up being the best memories.
And then there’s the Pantheon, which is still one of the most impressive buildings in Rome. It started as a Roman temple almost 2,000 years ago and later became a church. The dome, with its open skylight in the center, is an incredible piece of architecture that still amazes us every time we go. You do have to pay to enter, but it is only a couple dollars and well worth it. You don’t need to book online ahead of time. Just enter the queue on the left to buy your tickets.
Overall Recommendations:
If you’re heading to Rome:
First-timers should make time for the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain.
Repeat visitors might enjoy finding less-crowded gems like Michelangelo’s “Moses.”
For Vatican visitors (we didn’t go this trip but did last time): book tickets or a guided tour ahead of time. That’s the best way to see the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums without spending hours in line.
Rome is one of those cities we’ll always come back to. Whether you’re into history, art, and people-watching, there’s something here for everyone. As many people begin to travel, note that Rome can get super expensive if you eat and drink around the main attractions. Opt for off the beaten path restaurants or cafes.
Rome always feels like stepping into a giant outdoor museum. This is our third time coming here, and every time, we see or learn something new. We were leery of what we were cautioned would be massive crowds everywhere due to the Year of the Jubilee. However, a slight drizzle in the sky and, although we were fine walking in it, it kept most people at bay and our trek was less crowded.
On this visit, we started our walking tour at the Colosseum, and even though we’ve seen it before, it still impresses. Last time we were here, we booked an organized tour inside, which we highly recommend. Not only do you skip some of the long lines, but you also get little nuggets of history about how the arena was used for gladiator fights and public events.
Right next to the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum, where you can wander among the ruins of what used to be the heart of the Roman Empire. It’s one of those places where it helps to slow down and imagine the crowds and politics of ancient Rome, which is easy when we recall all the Hollywood movies set in this area.
One of our favorite stops on this trip was Michelangelo’s “Moses” at the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli. It’s tucked away in a quiet church that doesn’t usually make the top-10 lists, but it should. The statue that Michelangelo completed in 1515 is powerful, detailed, and much easier to enjoy without the massive crowds you find elsewhere. While there, you are also able to see the "Chains of St. Peter"!
Of course, no trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Trevi Fountain. Tradition says tossing a coin ensures your return, and since we’ve done it on our other two visits, maybe it really works! Just be prepared for big crowds and keep an eye on your cellphones and wallets—pickpockets are known to work the area. In the heat of the summer, this is a great place to enjoy some gelato, which is easily found around this area.
We also stopped by the Spanish Steps, though part of them were under renovation. Even so, it’s a fun spot to sit for a bit, people-watch, and enjoy the energy of the city. We grabbed some local wine (when in Rome!), some snacks, and had a chance to rest our feet while watching Rome go about its day. Sometimes those simple breaks end up being the best memories.
And then there’s the Pantheon, which is still one of the most impressive buildings in Rome. It started as a Roman temple almost 2,000 years ago and later became a church. The dome, with its open skylight in the center, is an incredible piece of architecture that still amazes us every time we go. You do have to pay to enter, but it is only a couple dollars and well worth it. You don’t need to book online ahead of time. Just enter the queue on the left to buy your tickets.
Overall Recommendations:
If you’re heading to Rome:
First-timers should make time for the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain.
Repeat visitors might enjoy finding less-crowded gems like Michelangelo’s “Moses.”
For Vatican visitors (we didn’t go this trip but did last time): book tickets or a guided tour ahead of time. That’s the best way to see the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums without spending hours in line.
Rome is one of those cities we’ll always come back to. Whether you’re into history, art, and people-watching, there’s something here for everyone. As many people begin to travel, note that Rome can get super expensive if you eat and drink around the main attractions. Opt for off the beaten path restaurants or cafes.
