All Roads Lead to Rome: For 5 Fantastic Days

After settling into your accommodations, likely afternoon for check in, start your time off with a golf cart tour around the entire city. This is a beautiful way to see the main highlights and get your bearings of the layout of the city without doing 50K steps.

I can find a tour that incorporates food and wine, and you will be all set for a first night of excitement and sights that will really “WOW” you!

Morning

OK, I’m throwing this out there, but I highly recommend getting up at 5 am and going to the Trevi Fountain. It is the best time to view it without the crowds.

Grab a pastry and coffee at Regoli Pasticceria. The cream puff pastry is delightful!

Afternoon

There are some great tour groups that go to the Holy Churches that have relics of Christ’s time on Earth. There are usually 4–6 churches included on these tours, and are enjoyable for even non-Christians. The history and the beauty cannot be matched. They usually last about half of a day and provide transport between sights with a knowledgeable guide.

Try lunch at I Vaccinari with one of the famous pasta dishes in Rome. The carbonara is my absolute favorite.

Take a quick 5 minute walk to St. Peter’s in Chains to see the Moses statue and the chains that were wrapped around St. Peter right above on display.

Evening

Finish this day off with a late-entry tour of the Colosseum. I can book this tour with an aperitif on a nearby rooftop, and you can opt to stay for dinner with a view of the Colosseum. There are many rooftops that serve food and drinks that should not be missed for the views alone!

• If you are interested in history, start this day off with a tour of the crypts and catacombs. Be sure to book one that goes to Basilica San Clemente. This is three layers of history in one Church.

• You cannot miss eating at Roscioli. You can order anything on this menu and will not regret one bite. (PS: Always get the house wine!)

• Take a stroll by Mamertine Prison to see where Peter and Paul spent many days writing the Bible. You can do an iPad tour here that takes about 20–30 minutes. It is very interesting.

• The Pantheon is also a building to tour, with or without a guide. You can use audio guides or a tour guide, whichever your preference. This building in just so unique, it should be explored and admired. It is a place of worship, so make sure knees and shoulders are covered.

• Treat yourself to another rooftop meal, this time at Cielo. You will certainly need reservations here, and can make them about five months out. The Filetto di Wagyu will melt in your mouth and the view will melt your heart and soul.

The Vatican & St. Peter’s

Today we will go the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. I recommend a private tour for this. I would book a tour company that provides tickets and transportation with a knowledgeable guide.

• Go early morning, and plan on spending a half day here.

• You should get a tour that allows entrance to St. Peter’s without waiting again in line.

• Be certain to have your knees and shoulders covered to enter.

Afternoon & evening eats

Grab lunch at Pizza Zizza, then skip on down the road and see Castel Sant'Angelo. This can be done with or without a guide as well, depending on preferences.

Finish this night with a foodie tour, and make sure it is in Trastevere. This is the “party” place of Rome and has the best food! A food tour will allow you to taste many different restaurants, provide a walk to sightsee, and a full meal. Most come with free-flowing wine, and that is the one I would book for my clients.

Day trip to the countryside

OK, we are getting out of the city and going into the Roman countryside. I highly recommend a tour of Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio. They are a slower pace from the hustle and bustle of Rome, and by now, you will need this. I would book a tour that includes a winery and farm-to-table lunch.

Evening

Have your tour guide drop you off at 5 pm to La Chiesa del Gesu for the Macchina Barocca. This is a live altarpiece transformation that feels almost theatrical. It happens daily and is a hidden gem that should not be missed. It blends light, art, and sacred architecture in a way that’s unique to the city’s Baroque heritage.

Finally, take a quick walk to Pancrazio for your last meal in the Eternal City. You will need reservations and can make them about four months out. This is a restaurant housed in ruins and is magnificent. There is literally nothing on this menu that isn’t just the best! We all ordered different things and just shared, lol!