Bustinwheels Travels for Adventure

What to see in Rome

Tour the Vatican, go inside St. Peter's Basilica, visit the Colosseum, go inside the Pantheon, make a wish and throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, sit in the Piazza Navona, walk the Gianicolo Hill (Passeggiata del Gianicolo) for spectacular views, visit the oldest church in Rome - Santa Maria in Trastevere, tour the Castle of Sant Angelo, climb the Spanish Steps, visit the Piazza del Popolo, go inside my favorite place - Archbasilica of St. John Lateran (Laterano) There's so much more to be discovered!

If you want to see some fantastic live music performances then you must go to the Teatro Arciliuto, located in the Piazza di Montevecchio, 5, 00186 Roma RM, Italy Phone: +39 06 687 9419. You can have drinks upstairs and you will be led downstairs below ground level to listen to a concert by some wonderful Italian performers. I highly suggest you do this!

There are so many interesting facts about Rome that most people don't know. Such as, Rome was built in 753 BC on seven hills. Romans invented concrete and was used on the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum over 2100 years ago! There is a law in Rome that allows cats to live without disruption in the place where they were born. If you look carefully, you will see hundreds of wild cats climbing the walls of the Colosseum, and sleeping among the ruins of the Forum. At the Largo de Torre de Argentina you can see a cat sanctuary amongst the ruins of four Republican temples.

Before you go
Make sure you have an excellent pair of walking shoes. Your major method of transportation will be walking or by taxi!

Wifi, Internet and Cell Phones
There's plenty of wifi and Internet everywhere.

Food and Water
Water is totally safe to drink from the tap in Rome! As far as food goes; there are so many incredible places to eat in Rome. I would eat at a different place every night. Don't be afraid to ask for a meat and cheese plate for dinner either along with a glass of wine!

What to Purchase
Scarves, sunglasses, Pope items, wine and cheese!

The Vatican

How to see the Pope at the Vatican
Brian and I saw the Pope and it was not as difficult as I thought it would be. It was a true delight and so surreal.

Tickets to see the Pope are FREE! When planning your trip to Rome, check the Pope's schedule on this official site: Papal Audience

Click on the month of your visit. Pope Frances has four General Masses per month, outside in St. Peter's Square.

You will have to fill out a ticket request form that you'll find on the Papal Audience website and fax it in. You can pick up tickets at the Vatican, see this map. All this information is on their website. It's so exciting and you can get some great video and photos while you are there. The entire visit is quite an experience and it made me very emotional.

What to do at the Vatican City, other than see the Pope?
Tour the Vatican, but make sure you purchase your ticket before you go to Italy! The lines are tremendously long even with a ticket. Visit the official Vatican website for your tickets and select your museum tours. For non-guided tours, which I don't recommend because you miss so much go to this Vatican webpage.

Before You Go
Entry to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Gardens is permitted only to appropriately dressed visitors. Low cut or sleeveless clothing, shorts, miniskirts and hats are not allowed.

Medium and large umbrellas (or standard non-telescopic umbrellas), sticks (apart from those used for walking), tripods and stands for photography, video cameras, banners and signs of any type must all be left in the cloakroom. NO SELFIE STICKS.