Roaming Through Rome: Our Two-Day Summer Adventure

Rome has always had a way of drawing us back—and this summer marked our third visit to the Eternal City. What made this trip different was the time we had carved out: two full days dedicated solely to exploring the heart of Rome without rushing through as we had in the past. Though we had high hopes for efficiency and discovery, as travel often goes, not everything unfolded as planned.

We arrived on an early train and immediately activated our strategy: the classic hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Starting right from the station, we took in the full loop without getting off, just to orient ourselves and decide on our must-see stops. It turned out to be a smart move, giving us a big-picture view before diving into Rome’s layered history and vibrant streets.

That said, the summer heat and early start began to wear us down by early afternoon. We opted to head to our accommodations to drop bags and regroup. Unfortunately, the location was a bit off-route, and getting there ate into our precious time. Once we got back on track, we managed to check off a few more monuments before deciding to slow down for the evening.

We made our way to Piazza Navona and sank into our chairs with some refreshing drinks in hand—soaking in the Roman life around us. It was a peaceful pause before one of the culinary highlights of our trip: dinner at Alfredo alla Scrofa, the legendary birthplace of our family favorite, Fettucine Alfredo. Let’s just say, the original did not disappoint. With full bellies and satisfied hearts, we called it a night to rest up for our second and final day.

The next morning had a different vibe. This time, it was all about shopping and exploring the fashionable neighborhoods, with the Spanish Steps serving as our scenic finish line. The day was a bit more leisurely, allowing us to absorb the elegance and energy of modern Rome.

Getting back to the train station, however, was anything but elegant. We were caught in full-on Roman rush hour—crammed into packed trains with the full experience of pushing and shoving. Then, as if on cue, our train home was delayed by a full hour. It was a first for us in our European train travels. Still, we took it in stride, found a bite to eat, and made the most of the unexpected downtime.

Reflecting on the whirlwind two days, it’s clear: even three visits in, Rome still holds so much more to offer. We skipped lines, passed on stairs, and admired several landmarks only from the outside. There’s a certain magic in knowing you’ve only scratched the surface of a place. Rome may call us back again someday—and honestly, we wouldn’t mind answering that call.