AHHH ITALY… the food, sights, history, language, lifestyle! I could go on and on for days, months, years… seriously!
Everyone asks us why we chose Italy to get married. My answer is of course, “well, why not?” I mean, there’s so much history and culture, so many amazing places to visit, and so many delicious food dishes to discover.
Yum!
LOL. Hence, my crash diet to lose the weight I knew I would put on enjoying Italian food and wine for two weeks.
With SOOO MUCH to share, wedding photos and blogs included, let’s start with Rome where we began our holiday and pre wedding travel.
To me, Rome is the heart of Italy. It’s where it all began with Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus!
I am a total nerd when it comes to history so I won’t bore you with the details. But let me just say walking around the city at any time of day or night is incredible. Around every street corner you can easily discover a new ruin, city gate, Egyptian obelisk, forum or fountain.
I recommend you begin your journey at the Vatican on day one in Rome, after a good night’s rest. There’s just so much to see, you’ll be saturated with information if you include anything else! Start day two with the Coliseum and work your way through the main roman forum, the infamous forum where Julius Caesar was murdered, and on to the Pantheon. If there’s time, on day three include a trip to the Via Appia and the catacombs.
(Careful if you’re claustrophobic like me because you have to go quite a few meters underground on the catacomb tour).
As you can see, my outfits vary according to the sites we viewed! I’m definitely not the blogger covered head to toe in perfect designer fashions and makeup hahaha. I wish I could but I just don’t have it in me when I’m touring. I want comfort with some style and simplicity! Dinners are different- dress to impress when you want to!
For the Vatican, visitors who enter need to have their shoulders and knees covered. Flat shoes are easiest for the long walk so I chose my favorite flat Tory Burch flip flops (see, I managed to squeeze in a designer there lol). They’re super durable and comfy for an all day sightseeing extravaganza. My skirt is an oldie but goodie from Nordstrom (I’d thought about throwing it out on more than one occasion, I guess there are some noteworthy fashion pieces we should definitely save in our closets)! I chose a white top and sweater because white seemed an appropriate color entering a very holy place.
As for our Ancient Roman ruins tours, we walked A LOT. Hence, my Lululemon attire and another revolve.com sweater with my turquoise sneakers LOL. Nothing glamorous but everything matched and hey, athleisure wear is very IN, right?!
Anton and I love to stay active on our vacations so it only makes sense that we walk everywhere we can while touring a new city. Not only do you get an amazing workout, but you really get to feel the vibes of the new city and see more than just the crowded tourist spots and your hotel. My word of advice: get lost in Rome. It’s an amazing experience.
As for our dinners, I knew we were heading to Positano where I was going to have to get dressed up and fancy each night, so in Rome I pretty much played it cool and casual. I braided my hair during the day so it would curl at night when I let it out. I chose white jeans or simple, casual dresses and a stylish sweater courtesy of revolve.com (my fave online clothing store incase you hadn’t noticed!). For makeup, I used a bit of highlighter, a dab of powder here and there, mascara and some chapstick.
Again, since we like to walk as much as possible and choose local venues we find off the beaten path, I stayed casual in flat sandals and loafers every night. The roads are pretty uneven so heels are super impractical, I’m just saying!!
In regard to our tours, I am such a HUGE FAN of private tours. I know it sounds spoiled, but seriously, I work my butt off before each vacation so we can do them.
First off, I hate waiting in lines. Remember me and efficiency? Well, I am not one to stand around or waist time. I love having a tour guide who picks me up, takes me directly to the front of the line with my reserved tickets and gets me right in.
Oh yeah- Anton too haha!
Then it’s just us (and sometimes our friends we travel with from time to time) with our very own guide. We tour uninterrupted and get to ask as many silly questions as possible. I think it’s the best! And so worth it. We learned so much about Michaelangelo, the Vatican and Ancient Rome. The money is so well spent. Plus with our American Express Platinum card, their travel experts really do their research and know which guides to recommend. A first class experience every time!
To just briefly touch on all of those sights we toured, the Coliseum is by FAR my favorite! I mean every time I’m in Rome I have to go inside, close my eyes, and pretend I’m in Ancient Rome awaiting the performance of some famous battle the Romans won. I know, kinda crazy aren’t I? But then again, you already knew that LOL.
The Pantheon is incredible because of it’s dome structure and how well preserved it is- probably the most well preserved ruin of ancient rome.
The Vatican is of course beautiful, intriguing and inspiring!
The Catacombs were not my favorite because I’m kinda afriad of closed spaces underground :(. But I really did love the famous road, Rome’s Via Appia! The homes and estates there are gorgeous and on the road you can still make out the wheel tracks from chariots when they were coming back from battles afar and into the heart of Rome for their grand entrances!
SUCH HISTORY! DRAMA! I LOVE IT!
As for our hotel, AMAZING. Rome is definitely full of great hotels for all budgets, but if you can make it work ,stay at the Hotel De Russie. By far one of my favorite hotels in the world, the De Russie is so beautiful. The service is impeccable, the rooms are large and have this unique garden view. The hotel sits adjacent to a park and has a large private courtyard so you don’t hear traffic. Their award winning cuisine is delicious and the dinner ambience is superb. We grabbed a drink outside in the courtyard each night!
It’s really quite exceptional and just minutes away walking from the Spanish Steps and shops.
Did you check out the hotel’s Turkish baths? I definitely should have come here more often!
Oh and the breakfast is to DIE FOR! And included in your stay. 🙂
A lot of information, I know! Did I miss anything? Does anyone have a favorite restaurant or hotel in Rome they absolutely love?! Our favorite local places to check out for dinner include the Ristorante Tre Scalini and Hosteria Romana Da Pietro. But I don’t think you can ever go wrong in Rome when it comes to dining, everything is spectacular!
BTW if you’re planning a trip with your Amex card, ask for Barbara Katz, she’s phenomenal and knows Italy sooo well!
Okay, now I’m off to organize my thoughts to share with you our Pompeii experience next!
xx Shanna