A WEEKEND IN
Rome, Italy
Despite having gone to Rome four months ago now, I still can’t believe I’ve been. It has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember, and my passion and excitement to visit only increased as my love for ancient history and architecture grew.
As I am interested in photography, I finally bought a digital camera, which arrived a few days before our trip, so hopefully my photos will be better quality now!
We spent a weekend in Rome in mid May, just a few weeks after the death of Pope Francis I, so the city was bustling. There was also a jubilee celebration of the church, and the new pope John was due to be visiting St Peters cathedral the day after we left.
To make the most of our time, we arrived in Rome late Friday night, and got up early to explore on Saturday morning.
The Spanish Steps
We started at the Spanish Steps, which in all honesty, were a bit underwhelming. I think I was expecting them to be bigger and more grand, but they were just steps. They were built between 1723 and 1725 to connect the Piazza di Spagna at the base with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. Designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi, the steps were funded by a French diplomat — hence the connection to the French church above, despite the name “Spanish,” which comes from the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See located in the square below.
The Trevi Fountain
Next, we headed off to the Trevi Fountain, which was already packed. We managed to squeeze our way to the front and met a lovely Australian couple, who took our photo. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any coins to toss to wish for our return to Rome, but it was still amazing to see the fountain in person.
Built at the junction of three ancient roads (“tre vie”, hence the name), it marks the terminal point of an ancient aqueduct that once supplied water to the Roman baths. The fountain as we see it today was completed in 1762 and features the sea god Oceanus riding a shell-shaped chariot pulled by seahorses.
The Pantheon
After this, we made our way to the Pantheon. We had booked an audio guide, but didn’t realise headphones weren’t provided. Nonetheless, we still enjoyed looking at the grandeur of the building and the intricacy of the design. It features a 9-metre-wide circular opening (oculus) to symbolically connect the temple to the heavens. The Pantheon also serves as a tomb — most famously for the Renaissance artist and architect Raphael, whose grave is marked with a poetic inscription “Here lies Raphael, by whom Nature feared to be outdone while he lived, and when he died, feared she too would die.”
The first version was built in 27 BCE by Marcus Agrippa, a close ally of Emperor Augustus. You’ll still see his name inscribed on the front. The structure was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 118–125 CE, after the original was destroyed by fire. Hadrian kept Agrippa’s inscription out of respect.
The Colosseum
Next stop: The Colosseum. Having studied classical history in high school, it felt surreal to finally see it in person — and it was so much bigger than I expected. Standing in front of such a vast and iconic structure, knowing it once echoed with the roar of crowds and the clash of gladiators, was honestly mind-blowing. Even more incredible is that it was sometimes flooded to stage mock naval battles — a true feat of Roman engineering. The Colosseum has truly stood the test of time, and walking through its arches was incredible.
We booked a self guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill as a combined ticket, which took up most of our day.
After the Colosseum, we headed to a nearby restaurant for lunch. I had the most amazing pasta called 5 Flavours Pasta – would recommend to pasta lovers!
The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Next we explored the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — two of the most important historical sites in ancient Rome. Walking through the Forum felt like stepping into a living history book: crumbling temples, stone arches, and columns that once framed the heart of Roman political and public life. Just uphill, Palatine Hill offered not only a peaceful break from the crowds but also stunning views over the city. It’s said to be the birthplace of Rome. According to Roman mythology, Rome was founded in 753 BCE by Romulus, who became its first king. The story begins with twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, born to the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia and the god Mars. Fearing the power the twins might hold, a jealous king cast them into the Tiber River. Miraculously, they were saved by a she-wolf, who nursed and raised them in a cave on Palatine Hill.
As adults, the brothers decided to build a city together — but a dispute over its location led Romulus to kill Remus. Romulus then founded the city of Rome, naming it after himself, and the rest is history.
The next morning, we got up at 6am to make the most of our final day. We started at St. Angelo Bridge, before walking to Vatican City. The area was being set up for the arrival of the new pope.
We had booked a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, and even with a guide, the sheer scale of it all was overwhelming. Every inch of space — walls, ceilings, corridors — was adorned with centuries of art, from ancient sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces. Some ceilings were painted so masterfully they looked three-dimensional, as though carved from marble rather than brushstrokes — a true artistic illusion.
Eventually, we arrived at the Sistine Chapel, which felt like a sacred pause in the tour. Cameras weren’t allowed, and the silence was strictly enforced, which made the moment even more powerful. Seeing Michelangelo’s ceiling with my own eyes — The Creation of Adam, the Last Judgment — was surreal. The scale, detail, and emotion in his work are incredible. You truly have to stand beneath it to feel its effects.
Stepping into St. Peter’s Basilica was unforgettable. Without a doubt, it was the most magnificent cathedral I’d ever seen. The scale is hard to describe — the soaring ceilings, towering columns, and colossal sculptures made me feel as though the space was built for giants.
Next, we wandered through the lively Campo de’ Fiori Market, one of the oldest and most colourful markets in Rome. We were quickly convinced by a friendly vendor to buy a bottle of pistachio liqueur — a deliciously sweet souvenir we couldn’t resist. The market itself is bustling and full of character, offering everything from fresh meats, cheeses, and fruit to local wines, liqueurs, handmade pasta, clothing, and gifts. It’s a great spot to sample authentic flavours and soak in the energy of everyday Roman life.
After this, we visited the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, tucked among the ancient ruins in the heart of Rome. It was amazing to learn about their mission to reduce the city’s stray cat population through a dedicated spay-and-neuter program. Thanks to their efforts, over 90,000 cats have been desexed — one of the key reasons you don’t see stray cats roaming the streets of Rome today. The sanctuary not only provides medical care and shelter but also allows cats to live safely among the ruins, making it a unique and heartwarming place to visit.
As we wandered through Rome, we passed the massive white monument with towering columns and bronze statues — the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland). It was built in honour of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a unified Italy, and also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by eternal flames.
For our last evening in Rome, we headed to Trastevere. Unbeknownst to us at the time, there was a massive televised Church Jubilee celebration going on, so it took us a while to make it over to the roman suburb due to the number of people in the streets watching the parade.
On our way there, we stopped at the Baths of Caracalla, one of the most impressive ruins in Rome. Built between 212 and 216 CE under the reign of Emperor Caracalla, this vast complex wasn’t just a place to bathe — it was a full-blown social hub for ancient Romans. At its peak, the baths could accommodate up to 1,600 people at once and included not only hot (caldarium), warm (tepidarium), and cold (frigidarium) baths, but also gymnasiums, gardens, libraries, and even art galleries.
The engineering behind the baths was ahead of its time. A massive underground system brought in water via the Aqua Marcia aqueduct, and furnaces heated the floors and water through a clever underfloor heating system. Many of the walls were once lined with marble, mosaics, and ornate sculptures, traces of which still remain.
Standing among the towering ruins today, it’s astonishing to picture the sheer scale and opulence of a place that once symbolised the power, wealth, and sophistication of Imperial Rome.
We arrived in Trastevere and joined a street food tour that turned out to be a real highlight. We savoured a delicious variety of local flavours — from cured meats and cheeses to classic Roman pizza and Roman-style arancini called suppli. To top it all off, we finished with creamy gelato. It was such a fun and authentic way to experience the city’s vibrant food scene, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a different kind of Roman adventure.
I’ve been fascinated by Ancient Rome since I was young, and studying it in classical studies during high school only deepened that interest. Finally walking through its ruins felt almost surreal — to stand where emperors, gladiators, and citizens once lived their daily lives. Beyond the history, the food, the atmosphere, and the rhythm of the city made it an unforgettable experience. There’s truly nothing like Rome, and I can’t wait to return one day.