Rome. The Eternal City. If this city is not on your bucket list, it should be. When you wander around this very walk-able city you understand why it is called The Eternal City. If you took your pictures in black and white, it would be hard to tell in what decade they were taken. Around every corner is another piece of history waiting to be enjoyed. But despite all the layers of history, it is also a very modern and stylish city. There is a little bit for everyone in Rome and you will be glad you went. Here is a roundup of my 5 favourite reasons to visit Rome and what will be drawing me back again!
1. The Colosseum
The Colosseum (Photo by Katherine Ballem)
The obvious choice for Reason #1, yes, but it is the iconic representation for Rome and is a must see. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, London has Big Ben, Rome has the Colosseum. Best idea is to organize an early morning tour so you can see it without the big crowds. I will be honest and tell you that I did not actually go on my tour… I blame Reason #2.
2. Abbey Theatre Irish Pub
Best strawberry daiquiris at the Abbey Theatre Irish Pub (blurry Photo by Katherine Ballem)
The Abbey Theatre Irish Pub is a little piece of Ireland in Rome and a reminder of how much of a melting pot this city is for people from all over the world. Great atmosphere, friendly staff (many from Ireland), and the best strawberry daiquiris around. That would be why I missed my Colosseum tour… and why I will have to return to Rome someday! It is also very close to Piazza Navona which is a great place to visit on your way to the Abbey for a pint, which brings me to…
3. All the Piazzas
Piazza Navona (Photo by Katherine Ballem)
Piazzas are found everywhere in Rome and each has its own flavour. These are the town squares used for public gatherings, markets, concerts, political rallies, and for just relaxing and taking in the street culture. Many have fountains or statues, like Campo de’ Fiori which has the statue of Giordano Bruno on the exact spot where he was burnt alive for heresy on February 17, 1600. His statue even stands defiantly facing the Vatican, one of the many striking contrasts of culture in this city that draws so many visitors each year.
4. The Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica
Piazza Navona (Photo by Katherine Ballem)
No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. You do not have to be religious to be in awe of the marvels of these two immense attractions. The sheer size of St. Peter’s Basilica is awe-inspiring and the incredible collections of the museums are worth the visit. Just like the tour of the Colosseum, it is best to try to skip the lines by booking an early morning tour in advance with one of the many tour operators. My favourite company was Dark Rome.
5. Gelato
Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash
Roman gelato. This creamy delight is like ice cream but not. You will find a shop nearly on every corner. My particular favourite was pistachio from Grom Gelateria near Campo de’ Fiori. There are literally dozens of gelaterias though so wander around and find your favourite – it will be the best treasure hunt ever.
Those are my 5 reasons to visit Rome. There are a million more though, so tell us in the comments what are your favourite reasons!
Before you go:
Check out these books, movies and shows to remind yourself why Rome has such an allure.
Angels & Demons
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- Great product!
![Rome: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41m2TD4J5lL.jpg)
Rome: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]
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- ROMA
- HBO
- Blu ray
The Early History of Rome
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- Penguin Classics
