GETTING FROM CAPRI TO ROME // FERRY -> BUS -> TRAIN
Our second stop on our Italy tour was Rome. We left Capri mid-morning and took the ferry back to the Naples Port, from there we took the bus to the Naples Train Station and took the high-speed train to Rome. When we arrived in Rome, we got a subway ticket and walked about 10 minutes to our Airbnb. This was our first experience on a train in Italy, and it went surprisingly well.
ACCOMODATIONS //
We found a B&B for $77/night. Honestly, it felt a little sketchy, more like we were staying in someone else's home and putting them out on the couch. The hosts were helpful, but it didn't feel like a B&B. It ended up being okay for a two days stay since we were out all day anyway. We booked the place because it was so close to the Colosseum, which meant we walked past each morning and night. We tried to take advantage of it and would find somewhere to sit for a bit each time we passed through. One of my favorite memories is just sitting outside the Colosseum one night and talking with Coty about all the history. It was pretty incredible.
THINGS TO DO //
COLOSSEUM - You can't visit Rome and not see the best-preserved monument of Ancient Rome. I'd suggest taking a private guided tour of the iconic landmark. If large crowds aren't your thing, you can grab a seat nearby and just relax. We didn't realize, but we were there on a free Sunday, and the lines were exceptionally long. If you want to beat the lines at the entrance, get there early.
The Romans have obviously done a spectacular job at preserving this beauty over time. There was a lot of construction at the time we were there, and there was tons of scaffolding up. Sadly it wasn't that the made this experience a bit disappointing, it was people. Everywhere we turned there were people selling selfie sticks. It felt like we couldn't escape them. They approached us time and time again and would stick them right in front of our faces. It's a shame they allow this at such a place.
ROMAN FORUM - Wander around these well-preserved ruins and try to take it all in. I'm usually not one for tours but looking back I wish we would have done a guided tour of the ruins to understand and appreciate all the history..
PANTHEON - When we stepped into this former Roman Temple, now church my jaw just dropped- party because we just happen to wander into not knowing where we were going to see. Not only is the architecture insane but the scale of everything is pretty unbelievable. The light coming through the 142-foot dome above creates quite the atmosphere. After almost two thousand years it's still the largest unsupported dome in the world. The Oculus at the top of the dome and the entry doors are the only source of natural light. It's hard to think about all the skill involved in creating such a building and then thinking about how long ago it was built. Tourists are expected to treat this as a place of worship; therefore, it's very serene once inside. Entry is free, and I think it's worth the visit.
TREVI FOUNTAIN - One of the most iconic fountains in the world. Legend has it that whoever throws a coin in the Trevi will one day return to Rome. We saw many breathtaking fountains while in Rome, and I was so excited to see this one. Unfortunately, it was under construction during our visit which meant scaffolding, wire fencing, and harsh construction lighting. Not the ideal scenario but we quickly saw what we could and moved on.
PIAZZA NAVONA - One of the most lively squares in Rome with three sculpture fountains. Sit at one of the open-air cafes or take your drink to go and enjoy people watching. It's easy to jam your schedule full when traveling. Sometimes we just need to sit for a bit, and people watch!
CAPUCHIN CRYPT & MUSEUM - Here you can tour the museum and see the crypts where thousands of skeletons and bones have been displayed in a unique way. They are posed, stacked and hung from above. We skipped through the museum part pretty quickly and saw the crypts in about 20 minutes. I'd advise you not to try and take photos. We realized the staff was standing in the gift shop watching from a mirror to see if anyone was taking pictures. They will demand to see your camera or phone and make you delete photos which I find hilarious!
WHAT I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN //
I wish we would have planned to stay here another day or two. Because the city is so large and spread out there just wasn't enough time to see everything. With the extra time, I would have liked to see some of the monuments up close or have taken a tour.
HELPFUL TIP //
The rule is to walk in Rome. So be prepared and only wear the most comfortable shoes with support.. A lot of the roads are uneven coblestone which is hard on your feet. Know where you are going so you can cut time using the Metro if possible.
WHAT WE SPENT //
BUDGETING: A general idea of what we spent in USD.
Airbnb for 2 nights - $154 total - $77/night
Meals for 2 - Breakfast $10 (pastry and a cappuccino), Lunch $20-30 (Usually pasta or pizza), Average Dinner $50 (Usually bread, an appetizer, two mains, wine, and dessert)
Tickets for Capuchin Crypt & Museum - $6
Ferry ticket - High speed from Capri to Naples Port - $20
Bus ticket - From Naples Port to Naples Train Station - $10
Train ticket - High speed from Naples to Rome - $70 each
