Rome in December

[RomeHols2021]

Aaaaah, as COVID is no longer so crippling to our freedom, I’m travelling to Rome with my super hot girlfriend for a week in Dec. Any recommendations, tips, advice to make best use of our time?

A Bank heists in a small iconic English car given, anything else?

Walk down the Spanish steps very carefully, it bloody hurts if you trip and hit every one on the way down

Other than that, I regret not going into the colosseum. Check the dress code before queuing for the Vatican (although less likely to have an issue in winter).

Try going down back streets to get pizza it’s way cheaper.

The hop on hop off bus was good value

Have fun I loved Rome and long to go back.

Ps. The Italians have cottoned into the mini, so a different car may be less conspicuous but you need the heist to afford the pizza.

Book everything online in advance. Colosseum, Vatican etc.
St. Peter's doesn't require a Covid pass but other churches might. (Florence Duomo, Pisa Duomo and Siena all did this summer, but St. p didn't)
Pantheon queue was the longest in August, as there's no priority entrance as it's free, and of course it's not as manned as St. Peter's. Best pasta I've had in a long while (and I've lived in Italy since 1994 on a side street near the Pantheon)
You'll need your Vax pass to go inside anywhere, restaurants, museums, bars if you sit down. Masks are obligatory almost everywhere.
Eating out generally cheap as chips. Much cheaper than where I live (south)

The Appian Way is a nice walk and much quieter once you get past the first mile or so. But there’s nowhere to eat further along ng.

See if the archeologists are still doing tours of the excavations of Nero’s palace.

Definitely do the underground tour of the Colosseum. It means you skip the queues but also get to see all the bits not on a normal ticket. As they are some of the most interesting bits ( the stage, where the slaves were held and the highest viewpoints ) it’s worth the €15. Go with the official site Coop culture.

Rome is very small. You can do that tour at lunch and still have time to walk up to the Vatican have a look round and walk to Piazza Narvona, the church with Caravaggio’s and the Panethon and see the Trevi fountain ( all free).
However as someone said anything you pay for book in advance. Honestly the cruise ships are back in business and you won’t stand a chance against them.

I’ve stayed in a couple of apartments over the years but I liked the Hotel Ponte Sisto. Good location for everything , easy to find ( by the river, some of the streets are like warrens) and nice rooftop view,

If you're travelling on the 8th be aware it's the feast of the immaculate conception - a Bank Holiday. So certain things will be closed. I realised this not long after booking so our Sunday and Monday weren't as activity filled as they could have been.

The hop on hop off bus is well worth the money and we used it lots to go around.

Do the Spanish Steps at night if you want a good photo op. I've got a fab photo of me totally alone on them. 🥰

Go up into Quadraro to see the graffiti murals & tiramisu at Bar Pompi is unmissable.

Yes avoid L'Immacolata Concezione unless you've already booked for that date. In which case, there's loads of stuff you can see for free - Trevi fountain, Spanish Steps etc.

Hop on bus is great way to get around and well worth the money , eat lots of ice cream , Rome is fab

@Billybagpuss

Walk down the Spanish steps very carefully, it bloody hurts if you trip and hit every one on the way down

Other than that, I regret not going into the colosseum. Check the dress code before queuing for the Vatican (although less likely to have an issue in winter).

Try going down back streets to get pizza it’s way cheaper.

The hop on hop off bus was good value

Have fun I loved Rome and long to go back.

Ps. The Italians have cottoned into the mini, so a different car may be less conspicuous but you need the heist to afford the pizza.

Aaaah, Fiat 500 it is then, ski masks in winter should be inconspicuous 👍

Thanks all, really useful stuff

What are the Covid requirements for Rome?

I'm so jealous! Go up the castel Sant Angelo. Fabulous views from the top, and a cafe too (or at least, there was - I need to go back and check)
There might be an ice rink in the park next door. Rome is lovely in December.

@JayAlfredPrufrock

What are the Covid requirements for Rome?

Masks indoors, and outdoors where SD isn't possible, so if you're queuing for an attraction etc. Or sitting at the Trevi fountain they'll come and tell you to put a mask on. Covid pass (NHS one is fine) to get into most places, and if you go on interregional public transport.

Thanks.

But do you need to test before you go?

Oh right, yes I think so.
(I live here)

Damn.

More expense.

Agree with posters about pre booking everything. Coop tours sell out fast... But definitely worth it... We missed underground tour tickets (they'd gone for the day I needed within an hour) but got one that took us up in the Gods... Great tour and fab to jump queues

We went this time of year and it was great

Have an 8course taster meal at restaurant Crispi. Incredible.

Go to Trastevere for food. It’s so much cheaper than the more tourist areas and its gorgeous.

Go to Tonnarello and order polpette cacao pepe. Amazing dish. tonnarello.it/ Get there early, queues are long because the food is incredible.

Cacio* stupid autocorrect