Travel Is Back : Travel Fast, Travel Smart, 10-Minute Travel Tips

140. Italy - Rome - Overview - Start Here

Italy Tours Johnny Mac recommends: vi.me/VBRoA

We are the first to admit there are other great podcasts about touring Rome and Italy. For this epsiode, we provide our usual eye-level tour suggestions for regular people. So before yo take those masters degree courses on those other podcasts, kickstart your Italian adventure with Journey Joe's practical guide to Rome!

Get real tips about what to pack (yes, bring those sneakers no matter what you hear!), where to eat authentic Roman pasta, and how to navigate the Eternal City like a pro. Learn why you might lose weight even while eating pizza twice a day, discover which tourist traps to avoid, and get the truth about dress codes and speaking Italian. Perfect for first-time visitors who want the real deal without the fluff.

This begins our Italy series which will continue for several episodes.

TOURS: https://selector.viator.com/wishlist/Italy/W-51199040-93ee-4075-953c-3affdd67355d

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Duration:: 12m
Broadcast on:: 30 Oct 2024
Audio Format:: other

But there's only one feeling like knowing your banker personally, like growing up with a bank you can count on, like being sure what you've earned is safe, secure, and local. There's only one feeling like knowing you're supporting your community. You deserve more from a bank. You deserve an institution that stood strong for generations. Bank of Colorado, there's only one member FDIC. At Sprouts Farmers Market, we're all about fresh, healthy, and delicious. That's why you'll find the season's best local and organic produce handpicked and waiting for you in the center of our store. Visit your neighborhood Sprouts Farmers Market today, where fresh produce is always in season. Caleroga Shark Media. Bongiorno, fellow travelers. This is Journey Joe Mitchell, and you're listening to Travel Is Back, your guide to amazing destinations for regular folks like you and me. Today, we're kicking off something really special, a journey through the magnificent cities of Italy. Over the next few episodes, we'll be exploring Rome, Florence, and Venice, and Mamma Mia. Do we have some incredible adventures in store for you? Let's start our Italian adventure in the Eternal City Roma. Rome isn't just a city, it's like stepping into the world's biggest open-air museum, where history comes alive around every corner and trust me, the food. Oh, the food! I'm already dreaming about the pasta ala carbonara. First things first, getting to Rome is pretty straightforward. First International flights land at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, also known as Fumicino. From there, you can take the Leonardo Express train directly to Roma Termini, the main train station in about 30 minutes. Just walk right across the street and buy a ticket from the kiosk. Once you're in the city, you've got options. The Metro is fantastic for hitting the major sites, but honestly, Rome is best explored on foot. Just wear comfortable shoes, because those ancient Roman cobblestones can be quite the workout. Now let me share some real talk tips from my recent visit. First off, let's talk about what to wear. You know, I read all these blogs about dressing up in Rome and sure, the Italians do dress beautifully. You can spot them a mile away from the American and British tourists. But here's the truth. Wear what's comfortable. I brought my trusty sneakers and thank goodness I did. You'll see plenty of locals in nice sneakers too. And trust me, you'll need them. Would you believe I actually lost 4 pounds during my trip? And this was while having pasta or pizza for 2 meals every day. One day, my step counter hit 48,000 steps. That's what exploring Rome on foot does to you. Those Roman hills and cobblestones give you quite the workout. So don't feel guilty about that extra scoop of gelato. Speaking of walking, definitely download an offline map app before you go. The tiny side streets can get confusing, but that's part of the fun. Some of my favorite discoveries happened when I was lost in the best possible way. Now, about speaking Italian. Look, I know some travelers get anxious about the language barrier, but here's the deal. You don't need to be fluent. Just be friendly. A cheerful bonjourno in the morning, bona sera in the evening, and scoozy when you need to squeeze past someone will get you far. Add a smile in your golden. Most people in tourist areas speak some English and when they don't, pointing and hand gestures work just fine. And let me be straight with you. There are some fantastic podcasts out there that dive really deep into Italy's history and culture. I listened to several while preparing for my trip, and they're great. But you know what we do here on travel is back. We keep it real, eye level and practical for regular folks like us who just want to have a great time without getting overwhelmed. Let me throw in a few quick money savers. Water fountains are everywhere in Rome and the water is great. Bring a refillable bottle. For coffee, drink it at the bar, standing, rather than sitting down. It's usually half the price, and don't feel pressured to do every single paid attraction. Sometimes just wandering the streets and soaking in the atmosphere is the best part of the trip. The must see sights. Let's talk about the heavy hitters first, the places that make Rome. Well, Rome, the Colosseum, Prago. This massive amphitheater is even more impressive in person than in photos. Pro tip, book your tickets online in advance. There's a link in our show notes to the tours we recommend, and try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds. Right next door, you've got the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. These ruins were once the beating heart of the Roman Empire. As you walk through, you're literally stepping in the footsteps of Julius Caesar. How cool is that? I recommend getting a guided tour here. There's so much history that you might miss without someone explaining it all. Now let's talk about another country within the city. That's right, Vatican City. The smallest country in the world packs a mighty punch with St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. The Sistine Chapel, Mamma Mia, Michelangelo's ceiling will leave you speechless. Again, book those tickets in advance, folks. The lines here can be longer than a Roman holiday. But you know what? Some of my favorite spots in Rome are the lesser known places. Take the trust of very neighborhood, for example. This is where you'll find the real Roma narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings covered in ivy, and some of the best trattorias in the city. Speaking of which, let's talk food. Diomeo, the food in Rome. Listen up, because this is important. There are four classic Roman pasta dishes you absolutely must try. Carbonara, made with eggs, pecorino cheese, guanciale, and black pepper. Caccio e Pepe, pecorino cheese and black pepper, amatriciana, tomato sauce with guanciale, and grecia, like carbonara but without the egg. And please, perfavore, don't eat at the tourist traps near the major attractions. Walk a few blocks away, look for places where the locals are eating. If you see a menu in eight different languages with pictures of the food, that's your cue to keep walking. One of my favorite spots is… well, I probably shouldn't tell you this, but there's this little place called de Enzo in Trastaveri. It's tiny, and you might have to wait, but they're carbonara. Mamma Mia. Just remember to eat dinner late like the Romans do, showing up at 7pm marks you as a tourist faster than wearing socks with sandals. Here's something special about Rome. It's not just about checking sites off your list. It's about embracing la dulce vita, the sweet life. Take time to do as the Romans do. Enjoy a leisurely aperitivo, pre-dinner drinks and snacks, in compote fiori, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, over your left shoulder with your right hand, very important. Stop for gelato at least once a day. It's practically a rule. There's only one feeling like knowing your banker personally, like growing up with a bank you can count on, like being sure what you've earned is safe, secure, and local. There's only one feeling like knowing you're supporting your community. You deserve more from a bank. You deserve an institution that stood strong for generations. Bank of Colorado, there's only one member FDIC. When you need meal time inspiration, it's worth shopping king supers for thousands of appetizing ingredients that inspire countless mouth-watering meals. No matter what tasty choice you make, you'll enjoy our everyday low prices, plus extra ways to save, like digital coupons worth over $600 each week, and up to $1 off per gallon at the pump with points. So you can get big flavors and big savings, king supers, fresh for everyone, fuel restrictions apply. When I enlist in the army, I swore an oath to this country, not any political party. That's why I'm interested in citizens' ballot measures around the country to reduce the power of political parties. Colorado votes on 1-2. Right now, election rules allow political insiders to hand-pick party nominees. That's the reason we're usually stuck voting for the lesser of two evils. Colorado's plan creates an open primary where all candidates appear on one primary ballot. Every voter has the freedom to vote for any candidate, no matter which party. The Colorado plan advances four candidates to the general election, not two. That means more choices for voters in the primary and general election. Get the facts. Elections belong to the voters, not political parties. Paid for by veterans for all voters, Anthony Haas registered agent. The use of military rank and job titles does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense of this ballot measure. Now let me share some practical tips. Rome can be overwhelming, so I recommend spending at least four days here. The best times to visit are spring, April, May, or fall, September, October, when the weather is perfect and the crowds are a bit smaller. Even in October 2024, I found 75 in Rome's sun to be pretty darn hot. For accommodation, I suggest staying in the historic center if your budget allows. The area around the Pantheon or Piazza Navona puts you within walking distance of most major sites. If you're looking for something more local and cheaper, consider the Monty neighborhood. It's hip, central, and full of great restaurants. Rome is generally very safe, but like any big city, keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded tourist areas. And remember, when visiting churches, shoulders and knees should be covered. This is especially important at the Vatican. As we wrap up our introduction to Rome, I hope you're as excited as I am about exploring this incredible city. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and you can't see it all in a day either. Take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and don't forget to do as the Romans do. Enjoy life. In our next episodes, we'll dive deeper into specific attractions. Before we go, let me remind you that if you'd like to receive these episodes without commercials, head over to caloroga.com/plus. There's a link right in the show notes. And don't forget to check out any tour links I mentioned. They're also in the show notes. This is Journey Joe Mitchell signing off. Until next time, happy travels. If you're listening to travel is back, you must love traveling as much as I do. We have deals for you that'll make your next adventure even more exciting and affordable. Whether you're planning a trip to a bustling city, a tranquil beach, or somewhere in between, we've got you covered. Some of the popular destinations in our travel recommendations and deals include Orlando, Seattle, Vancouver, Palm Springs, and Montreal. But that's just the beginning. To check out all our exclusive offers and insider tips, head to vietter.com/partner-shop/travelisback. We know that's a long URL, so don't worry. Just look for the easy-to-click link in our series description. Your perfect getaway, complete with amazing deals, is just a click away. Don't miss out on making your travel dreams a reality while saving some cash in the process. If you like long URLs, it's vietter.com/partner-shop/travelisback. But you can just click on the link in the series description. Happy travels. There's only one feeling like knowing your banker personally. Growing up with a bank you can count on, like being sure what you've earned is safe, secure, and local. There's only one feeling like knowing you're supporting your community. You deserve more from a bank. You deserve an institution that stood strong for generations. Bank of Colorado, there's only one member FDIC. When you need meal time inspiration, it's worth shopping King Supers for thousands of appetizing ingredients that inspire countless mouth-watering meals. And no matter what tasty choice you make, you'll enjoy our everyday low prices. Plus, extra ways to save, like digital coupons worth over $600 each week and up to $1 off per gallon at the pump with points, so you can get big flavors and big savings. King Supers, fresh for everyone, fuel restrictions apply. [BLANK_AUDIO]