June 11, 2013 (Updated March 1, 2023)

Italy Highlight: Rome!

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

40 comments

If you missed any of the previous Italy vacation adventure recaps, check them out first!

IMG_2994

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you great content every week!

Save Recipe

The first pit stop on our Italy adventures was Rome! I’ve been to Rome before but Matt hadn’t, so we decided to spend a few days checking out the sights. Here are some of the highlights in photos!

The Spanish Steps + a beautiful blue sky. The steps were insanely crowded but still pretty.

IMG_2996

IMG_2998

IMG_3169

IMG_2999

The Trevi Fountain – my favorite spot in Rome – again, very crowded but so pretty.

IMG_3001

IMG_3006

IMG_3009

The Pantheon:

IMG_3014

IMG_3015

IMG_3016

IMG_3017

Walking over to the Colosseum:

IMG_3024

IMG_3025

IMG_3026

IMG_3027

The Colosseum:

IMG_3034

IMG_3037

IMG_3040

IMG_3043

IMG_3047

IMG_3046

On our last day in Rome, a Sunday, we decided to go check out the Vatican. We had lunch and then arrived at the Vatican in the early afternoon. When we arrived, we were greeted with this sight:

IMG_3056

Um… what the what?! “Jeez,” I said. “I remember the Vatican being crowded last time I was here, but it was nothing like this!”

There were so many people we couldn’t even get anywhere near St. Peter’s or any of the other touristy areas, for that matter. We were so confused. What on earth was going on?!

IMG_3054

We wandered around looking confused for about 20 minutes until we found someone who spoke English. “The Pope is coming!” they said.

Tourist fail. I guess we should have looked online at schedules first. So much for sightseeing at the Vatican! 🙂

IMG_3057

It was wild – apparently it was some big special appearance (not a weekly thing), so there were thousands of people around. It was seriously like being in downtown D.C. on Inauguration Day or the 4th of July or something. Matt and I hung out for awhile waiting but eventually figured out that he wouldn’t be appearing for a few more hours, so we decided to walk over to Castel Sant’Angelo instead.

We had some lovely views along the way!

IMG_3062

IMG_3064

IMG_3065

There it is!

IMG_3061

IMG_3066

Views from the top of the castle:

IMG_3069

IMG_3072

IMG_3074

Stay tuned – more Italy recaps to come! Next up: Pisa & Lucca, the two towns we stopped in on our drive north to Cinque Terre.

- anne

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

you might also like:

leave a comment

40 comments
  • Jane @ Not Plain So Jane
    Something is so special about Rome! I love your leather jacket! I regret not getting one in Italy, expensive but would have lasted forever. I was at the Vatican on Easter, that was insane too!
    Reply
  • Suzanne C.
    Were you there on a Wednesday? When I was in Rome a few years ago, the Pope would do a weekly Wednesday audience. It was like a pep rally for the Pope, people from all parts of the world screaming for the Pope, holding signs! So funny!
    Reply
    • Anne
      No, a Sunday! Apparently it was a big special appearance so everyone was out for it!
      Reply
  • Elizabeth
    Ah! Your photos brought back so many memories. I was an exchange student in Rome in high school and passed by many of these places going to and from school. I think a return trip soon is a must! xo
    Reply
  • Lindsay
    The Pope gives a weekly address on Sundays from the balcony in St. Peter's. That looks a little more crowded than I rememer, but I wasn't there in the height of tourist season like you, with a very new pope! That being said, it's never a good idea to arrive in St. Peter's square in the middle of a Sunday! Definitely arrive earlier rather than later, if possible, especially considering that St. Peter's is still a functioning church and holds extra mass times within the basilica on Sundays.
    Reply
    • Anne
      Yes, live and learn! Apparently it was a special appearance - not a standard weekly thing. That's why it was so crazy crowded!
      Reply
  • Emily @ Life on Food
    That blue sky is amazing. I was so amazed about the ruins in Rome. So, so old. Hard to wrap my mind around.
    Reply
  • Pat Elsberry
    The pictures are amazing, as always!! You really take the best photos!! :) We are heading back to Italy in October and struggling with one thing - driving while there. What was your experience?
    Reply
    • Anne
      It was an adventure - if you want to check out smaller towns and the countryside and have more flexibility, a car was nice. But if you're sticking to main cities, you won't want it. It was a big pain in Rome and Florence.
      Reply
  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
    Rome is one of my favorite places I've ever visited. There's beauty everywhere you turn! Great photos. Looks like you got lots of sunny skies.
    Reply
  • Angela
    I just love Italy!! So many great memories from my own trip there looking at your photos!
    Reply
  • Renie
    Beautiful, Anne. My dream is to visit the Vatican. Thanks for sharing
    Reply
    • Anne
      Nice, in the 70s and low 80s!
      Reply
  • LM
    These photos are amazing! What camera did you use? They're super crisp & vibrant.
    Reply
    • Anne
      I used my Canon DSLR with the standard kit lens - there's a link to the specific one on my FAQ page! http://www.fannetasticfood.com/faq/
      Reply
  • Suzanne
    Ah Roma!! It is such a beautiful city with so much history. Are there still tons of stray kitties hanging around the colessium?
    Reply
    • Anne
      I didn't see many, no!
      Reply
  • Bamscat
    Superb photos, as always. Thanks for sharing. Brought back great memories. The Pantheon is my favorite building in Europe.
    Reply
  • Victoria @ Reluctantly Skinny
    Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! We almost booked Italy for our honeymoon...definitely want to get over there soon!
    Reply
  • Lauren @ The Highlands Life
    Isn't Rome beautiful? Not related to Rome but when I visited the UK, they cleared the streets and we were able to see the Queen drive by. It was the coolest. Hate y'all didn't get to see the pope in person.
    Reply
    • Anne
      Well, when we came back after Castel Sant'Angelo we could see him on the steps of St. Peters, but he was like an ant. :) He was up on the big screens, though!
      Reply
  • Rebecca
    Just joined the 21st century and got my first smartphone....I wanted to download some good healthy eating / recipes / food apps. Any suggestions?
    Reply
    • Anne
      I actually don't really know many! Maybe others will have some ideas? Anyone?
      Reply
  • Olivia @ Liv Lives Life
    You take such gorgeous photos! Wow. The Vatican looks crazy. I wonder what it would have been like to be there on the day the new pope was announced! And I love your shirt! Where did you get it??
    Reply
    • Anne
      Thanks! It's from Nordstrom but at least a couple years ago!
      Reply
  • Nicole
    Great pics! Roma is such a wonderful place to visit and explore.
    Reply
  • Mom
    Che bellezza!
    Reply
  • Anel Perez
    Great pictures! So much to see!! That's a whole lot of people there!
    Reply
  • Paula C. Wilkes
    Oh the wonderful Italy! I like all your photos in this blog. Is there a restaurant which you can recommend if I visit Rome?Thanks
    Reply
    • Anne
      For restaurant recs, check out the comments on this post - lots of great ideas! http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2013/05/16/free-outdoor-dupont-circle-yoga-sushi-italy-bound/
      Reply
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
    When I did Rome they were fixing the colleseum up on the inside so you could only see the outside. I went years ago but seeing your Italy recaps makes me want to go back and do so much more :)
    Reply
  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action
    Wow- your pictures are beautiful!! Rome is definitely on my list of places to go and visit! Especially after seeing your pictures!
    Reply
  • Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life
    Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous trip! It is my dream to visit Italy and your pictures are making me more and more antsy to go! :)
    Reply
  • Ja @Ja on the RUN
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics. Hubby and I are off to Italy too next month. Both our first times soooo excited! :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      You will love it! :)
      Reply