So sad the Piazza Venezia and its' surrounding area was under construction during the time of our…read morevisit. This is one of the most iconic and central squares in Rome, and I can even see some of its' elegance peeking out from behind the construction area.

A must stop if you're looking for free things to do. There are options to pay like they have a…read moremuseum and some other stuff otherwise you could totally walk through the piazza completely free. Many picture areas and has bathrooms, though it was crowded.

The tour is maybe 30 minutes long and our guide shared lots of interesting facts regarding the…read moreconstruction and history of the area. It is not at all like the Paris catacombs, so if you are looking for and expecting that, don't visit. You are also not allowed to take pictures inside as it is active holy ground burial site. These catacombs are out of the way, so you either need to uber/rent a car or join a tour group. We rented a car and drove out to this area; we ended up visiting a few catacombs out in this area.

I had a wonderful experience taking a guided tour here. The guide offered insight about the…read morediscovery of the catacombs and the different shapes of individual tombs. There was also the very unique opportunity to see ancient graffiti in the tombs as well as old paintings of religious scenes. This experience helped me see Rome in a different light.

You know what they say.."Rome more, worry less" ;) and this is exactly what we did (my hubby and I)…read morewhile staying in the Ostiense district when visiting Rome (Sept. 29,2023 - Oct. 4,2023) for the 1st time. We stayed at an Airbnb located on Via Del Porto Fluviale & just wanted to share a few helpful tidbits of the nearby sights - 1.) street art & murals - There are so many awesome murals painted on nearby buildings including the "Wall of Fame" by JB Rock, which is one of the most photographed street art in Ostiense. There are walking tours to see all of the murals/street art. The "Wall of Fame" mural is located behind Via Ostiense (see videos included in this review) 2.) Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls (Basilica Papale di San Paola Fuori Le Mural) - Ancient basilica from 4th century, w/ the tomb of Saint Paul. This is a must-see basilica! (See pics in this review of this beautiful site) and it is free to visit 3.) Centrale Montemartini - Ancient sculpture museum located inside a former power plant...very budget friendly & away from the crowds (see pics included in this review) 4.) best gelato! - Gelateria La Romana - Via Ostiense This neighborhood felt safe at all times & was located very close to many restaurants & even the train station. To sum it up, would definitely recommend for others to stay in and/or visit the Ostiense Street Art District. Till next time, Rebecca visiting from Austin, Texas (United States)

I love finding little hidden spots in new cities; the things which you could so easily miss but are…read moreworth seeking out. So, on my last night in Rome, I made sure to pass by this street art on Via Galvani. It's striking, and if you're nearby, worth wandering over to see. Still, if you're staying farther out, make a day of it; there is lots to do in the Testaccio 'hood. I stayed there for the duration of my time in Rome and really loved the area. The MACRO Museum of Contemporary Art is really nearby if you're feeling hungry for more creativity, and local hotspot Porto Fluviale is a great place to eat and drink. Awesome!

Any student of history will appreciate the Roman forum which was the center for the majority of all…read morethe official and major activities that incurred in ancient Rome to include speeches, debate, gladiator fights in some instances, and even the return of victorious armies and new Caesars that you see in so many movies. When I saw the ruins and what was left of the forum I had assumed that this magnificent epicenter of old Rome had been ransacked and destroyed when the Roman empire fell. In fact and unfortunately, it's slowly fell into disrepair and ruins the direct result of lack of maintenance and care by the Roman people and government over time. In addition to the remaining structural ruins and statues that currently reside here you will find placards scattered about these ruins that explain the history of the forum and what each significant ruin stood for and was used for. Very educational and not to be missed as this clearly was one of the most significant ancient centers of the old world.

So much history here. It was hard for me to imagine what once was an empire to be neglected into…read moreruins but that is what happens when empires fall and there is no money for maintenance. People pillaged and plundered these buidings and repurposed the material to build other things elsewhere. This is located right next to the colosseum and you can get a combined admission ticket to see both. FYI that there are metal detectors and scanners at the security checkpoint. I got a lot of steps in that day! Many of the paths here to not connect so need to double-back much of the time. Five stars!

The Colosseum is one of those rare places that somehow lives up to the hype…read more The exterior alone is breathtaking, but once inside, it's hard to fully comprehend the scale, history, and engineering of what you're looking at. Walking through the structure and surrounding grounds, I found myself imagining what it must have been like nearly 2,000 years ago. Thousands of spectators filling the stands, roaring crowds, and gladiators stepping into the arena knowing they were the main event. What fascinated me most was learning that the arena was even flooded for certain spectacles. It's incredible to think about the level of ambition and ingenuity involved in creating entertainment on that scale so long ago. I also enjoyed spending time exploring the areas around the Colosseum, which are beautiful in their own right and filled with layers of history. This isn't a place to rush through. Give yourself several hours, take your time, and let your imagination do some of the work. A must-see when visiting Rome and one of the most memorable historical sites I've ever experienced.

The Colosseum is the most incredible thing I've ever seen on this planet. Nothing prepares you for…read morestanding in front of it in real life. The scale, the power, the history, everything about it is absolutely breathtaking. You can feel the history the moment you step inside. Knowing what happened there centuries ago gives you literal shivers. It's emotional, intense, and awe-inspiring all at once. Every stone tells a story, and it makes you feel so small in the best way possible. This is not just a landmark, it's an experience that stays with you forever. If you come to Rome and don't see the Colosseum, you missed everything. Rating: 10/10 -- unforgettable, unreal, legendary

Trevi Fountain is a large Baroque fountain is known for its detailed sculptural composition,…read moredramatic water flow, and dense crowds gathered in the small piazza surrounding it. The fountain sits embedded into the facade of a building, creating a stage like setting where the architecture and water structure feel tightly integrated into the urban environment. The fountain itself is highly detailed, with layered stone figures and strong water movement that draws attention immediately toward the center. The viewing area is limited by surrounding barriers and the narrow square, which creates a constant flow of people shifting positions to get a better view or photo. I found myself squeezing between groups just to find a clear sightline. The experience changes depending on timing and access. At busier times, like when I visited, the space felt compressed with limited room to pause directly in front of the fountain. There is also a regulated lower viewing area that requires a small entry fee. I decided to pay it, and that brought me closer to the base of the fountain, changing the perspective of the sculptures and water completely. From down there, the details in the stonework and the force of the water felt much more immediate. Early or late visits shift the atmosphere noticeably. I imagine with fewer people, the fountain would allow for a quieter, more reflective view of the structure.

The Trevi fountain was crowded...super crowded...for good reason. The fountain is extremely…read moredetailed, with cascading water and towering statues. Visitors and locals took part in the tradition of tossing a coin over their shoulder into the fountain for good luck. Trevi Fountain encapsulatesits beauty, drama, and romance of Rome. Absolutely spectacular...one of our favorite Rome landmarks!

The Pyramid of Cestius was an odd sight when I first saw it from the Ostiense railway station in…read moreRome. Sitting among apartment houses that ring the Piazzale dei Partigiani, it looked like it was built to advertise the Piramide stop on the Metro B line. But its history is more interesting. Just outside Porta San Paolo on the Aurelian Wall, the Pyramid dates from around 15 BC, built during a period entralled with everything Egyptian. It is the last remaining pyramid standing in Rome. Visiting the Pyramid today is like stepping into 1st century BC Rome.

We didn't expect to see a pyramid in Rome! We only appreciated it from the outside as part of our…read morevespa tour. Looks to be in great restored condition.

Vittoriano, also known as the Altar of the Fatherland. The Monument…read moreto king Victor Emmanuel II was built starting in 1885, designed by Giuseppe Sacconi, and inaugurated in 1911 to commemorate the 50th. See it as you walk around downtown Rome.

This building was right down the road from our hotel and we passed it a number of times. It is…read morebeautiful with nice statues on the front and back of building. I climbed up the back of building and caught the sunset.

Should have posted previously…read more.. A darling neighborhood to stroll and should be added to any Tiberina itinerary since it's so close. Wonderful history to explore.

Jews have lived in Rome for over two thousand years. Their presence in Rome predates Christianity…read more It is probably the oldest continuous Jewish community outside of the Israel and the Middle East. Written records trace the Jewish community as early as 161 BC when Judah Maccabee sent envoys to Rome. For hundreds of years, Jewish families coexisted with their neighbors. They worked as bakers, butchers, physicians, money lenders and craftsmen. As the friction between the papacy and the Jewish community in the 1500s escalated, walled off Jewish ghettos were created following the model in Venice. The Roman Ghetto was established as a result of Papal bull Cum nimis absurdum mandated by Pope Paul IV on 14 July 1555. The bull required that the 2,000 Jews who lived in Rome at the time to live in the ghetto, which was not only walled off, but the gates were also locked from the outside at night to keep them in. The Jewish community was also forced to pay 300 Roman scudi for the construction of the wall and gate. The location was prone to flooding and quite undesirable. By the late 1580s, roughly 3,500 inhabitants were living in inhuman conditions. During the plague of 1656, 800 of the ghetto's 4,000 inhabitants died. The bull revoked almost all the rights of the Jewish community. It placed many restrictions on Jews including prohibition on property ownership (even within the ghetto), not being allowed to provide medical care to Christians and compulsory Catholic sermons on the Jewish Shabbat. Life in the ghetto was harsh filled with poverty, epidemics, such as plague, cholera and malaria, diseases due to lack of fresh water and overcrowding. Roman Jews were limited to unskilled jobs such as pawn brokers, fish mongers or ragmen. Many Christians hated the Jews because they were allowed to "lend" money throughout Rome and Europe. Jews had to wear a yellow cloth if they left the ghetto. The yellow veil worn by Jewish women matched the color worn by Roman prostitutes. During Christian feasts they were forced to run naked or be ridden by the Romans as a way to entertain the Romans. They had to petition for the privilege annually to live in their homes and swear loyalty to the Pope at the Arch of Titus which celebrated the Roman sack of Jerusalem in 70 AD. As in most of Rome, there was no fresh water in the ghetto. When the Pope decided to use the old aqueduct system to provide fresh water via a series of fountains designed by Giacomo della Porta, a fountain was due to be placed at Piazza Giudea, the site of a market, inside the ghetto. However, Muzio Mattei used his influence to have the fountain, the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Turtle Fountain), located in the Piazza Mattei instead in front of his residence. Outraged, della Porta changed the design of the fountain so that it provided a small trickle of water to the Mattei family. In 1888, the ghetto walls were torn down. In 1904, the Great Synagogue of Rome and a number of apartment buildings were erected on the site. The Roman Ghetto was the last remaining ghetto in Western Europe until ghettos were reintroduced by Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Today, the Jewish Quarter is a thriving community filled with delicious Kosher restaurants, street musicians and shops. The Great Synagogue in Rome has a very visible square dome and a Jewish Museum. Look for the stumbling stones scattered along the cobblestone streets that remember Roman Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust and a tribute to Stefano Tache Gay who was murdered at the age of two as the synagogue was attacked on Shabbat in 1982. Sit at a sidewalk cafe for lunch or dinner. Try the Jerusalem artichokes and pistachio crusted sea bass at Renato al Ghetto and the pizza and pasta at Ba'Ghetto Milky. Delicious! Thank you to Mircea from GURU Tours who shared the rich history and secret sites of the Jewish Quarter during an amazing, and free, night tour. Highly recommended if you like history and cultural insights.

Galleria Doria Pamphilj is one of Rome's most breathtaking hidden treasures--an aristocratic…read moresanctuary of art, history, and elegance tucked just steps away from the bustling Via del Corso. Visiting this gallery feels like stepping into a private world where centuries of beauty have been lovingly preserved. The moment you enter, the atmosphere shifts. The palace itself is a masterpiece--ornate ceilings, shimmering gold accents, and hallways lined with mirrors and marble. Each room carries the quiet grandeur of a family that collected art not for prestige, but out of genuine passion. That intimacy sets it apart from Rome's larger, more crowded museums. The collection is extraordinary. You'll find remarkable works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Bernini, Raphael, and Titian, each displayed in lavish, beautifully lit rooms that feel more like a lived-in palace than a museum. Caravaggio's "Rest on the Flight into Egypt" and the haunting "Magdalene" are highlights, while Velázquez's portrait of Pope Innocent X is nothing short of astonishing--an encounter that lingers long after you leave. What makes the experience truly special is the ability to wander the gallery at your own pace, taking in masterpieces without the rush or crowds. The audio guide, narrated by a member of the Pamphilj family, adds a personal touch and deepens your appreciation for the collection and its history. Whether you're an art lover or simply someone seeking a quiet, immersive cultural experience, Galleria Doria Pamphilj is a must-visit. It's a rare blend of elegance, intimacy, and artistic brilliance--a place where Rome's noble past comes alive in the most captivating way.

What an awesome view into the extravagant wealth of these families. We enjoyed exploring the palace!read more