When in Rome: A Whirlwind 48 Hours of Carbs, Cobblestones & Colosseums

Day 1 – The Grand Intro (a.k.a. The Day You Take 300 Photos of a Fountain)

Morning kicks off with a quick stroll, fuelled by something flaky and espresso-based. You don’t need a map...just follow the golden light and the sound of church bells and mopeds.

If this is your first time in Rome, the Colosseum is non-negotiable. You might think, “It's just a bunch of old rocks,” but trust me- it hits different when you're standing inside. The history, the heat, the crowd drama... it’s all part of the show. Same with the Roman Forum next door. You’ll squint at ruins and pretend you understand what you're looking at, but that’s part of the charm.

Don’t rush. Look up, down, and all around.

Because in Rome, the real magic is between the big moments.

Turn a corner, and there's a centuries-old church with a Caravaggio hiding inside. Walk a little further, and you're passing a leather shop where the scent alone will have you reaching for your wallet. Glance to your right and did you just spot a tiny museum tucked into a side street? Probably. And just when your feet are about to give up? Boom.....gelato. Always gelato. Always worth stopping.

Lunch isn’t about a plan...it’s about your nose. If it looks good, it smells good and there’s a line out the door, extend the queue and get in it. You’re in Italy. Eat like you're filming your own episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. If the place looks too pretty to walk past, sit down. If the pasta looks homemade and the waiter shrugs when you ask for a menu, you're exactly where you need to be.

Afternoon means fountain-hopping. Trevi Fountain is majestic chaos. Elbows will be thrown, tourists will fight for coin-tossing space, and you’ll pretend it’s not dramatic when you throw yours in. One coin to return, two for love, three for... well, you know.

Then wander more. No directions, just instincts.

Evening = golden hour stroll. No destination, just vibes. Every alley is a movie set. Every piazza has someone singing Pavarotti off-key. And when your feet can’t carry you anymore, find the nearest restaurant with twinkly lights and just order something. You’re not here for Michelin stars. You’re here for flavour, charm, and carbs.

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Let’s set the scene. You’ve just landed in Rome. You’ve got two days, a suitcase half-full (for now), and you’ve checked into Hotel Valadier...your Roman home away from home.

Tucked in a quiet little alley that no car dares enter (don’t worry, the hotel staff are always magically waiting for you just before you arrive like concierge fairies), Valadier is one of those rare finds that checks every box: prime location, amazing price, and the kind of old-school charm that makes you feel like you’re in Rome and not just visiting it.

My husband? You'll find him glued to the rooftop restaurant with his laptop and espresso in hand. Me? I’m already mentally mapping out how I’m going to greet Via dei Condotti like an old friend. Because the best part about staying here? You’re one good cappuccino away from Rome’s most iconic shopping street. Buongiorno, Valentino. Ciao, Prada.

Day 2 – Vatican Views, Solo Wanders & a Rooftop Reunion

Today starts a little differently.

My husband, after yesterday’s heroic 20,000-step pilgrimage through ancient ruins and cobblestone streets, announces that his feet are officially out of office. Also...he’s got “important meetings and emails” to catch up on (sure, sure). No biggie. I’ve got this.

I’ve got my comfiest shoes, a bottle of water, and a vague plan powered by Google Maps and good vibes.

First stop: Vatican City.

Walking through Rome is never just a walk. It’s a series of “Wait, what’s that?” detours, cobblestone mindfulness, and the constant temptation to stop for a cappuccino.

Honestly? The internet is your best travel buddy in foreign lands. You’ll get there....eventually. For me, it took about an hour to reach the Vatican, give or take a few photo ops and marble-staring pauses.

I explore St. Peter’s Basilica, soaking in the scale and silence. Then I climb the dome...yes, solo. And yes, still worth every breathless step and slightly questionable selfie from the top.

But instead of heading straight back to the hotel afterward, I let my feet choose. I walk slowly. I duck into random churches, eye off hidden museums, and follow the scent of freshly baked pizza like a cartoon character drifting on air.

Eventually, I find myself in a familiar alley. A place I’ve visited before, many times. Not a café, not a monument, but a mood.

Her name? Madame Via dei Condotti...because she’s too elegant to be basic and too timeless to be trendy. Think of her as your glam Italian bestie, always dressed to kill and ready to drain your wallet with a wink. I say Buongiorno like we haven’t just seen each other yesterday.

We spend some time together. Window shopping, actual shopping, and a little strut for no one but myself.

And when I’m ready to head back.....where else would I go?

I climb up to Hotel Valadier’s rooftop and there he is: my husband, still “working,” coffee in hand, scrolling something important-looking. I join him, drop my bags with a sigh and a smirk, and he looks up like he hasn’t just been hanging out with Rome’s best skyline all afternoon.

“Did you get everything done?”
“Almost,” he says. “But I think you had the better day.”

He’s not wrong. ღ #bekind