I am often asked, “What is your favorite city?” and it’s a question I cannot answer. I find likable, laudable traits of every place I visit. But when asked, “What European city would you recommend most?” the answer comes easily, and it’s Rome, Italy. The Eternal City has so much to offer for all, from budget backpackers to luxury cruisers, from solos to couples to groups of friends. Particularly if you only have time to visit one city and/or this is your first international or European experience, Rome is my #1 recommendation because it is foreign without being uncomfortably exotic, English-language enough, easy to get to and around and has something for everyone.
Trastevere (pictured above) on the west side of the Tiber River, is considered the hip, artsy neighborhood of Rome. It’s either a longish walk or a bus ride from the City Center and worth the trip for its shopping, its vibe and its authenticity.
International but English-Friendly
One of the most intimidating aspects of foreign travel is language, and rightfully so. Although Italian is obviously the official language and you’ll hear plenty of it in Rome (Roma), English is widely understood and accepted, if not sometimes a bit witheringly if, for example, you are holding up the line/queue at a busy espresso counter. Tourist attraction signs are usually in both Italian and English, and a lot of words are easy enough to figure out.
That said, I definitely recommend learning a bit of the beautiful Italian language. Buongiorno or buonasera start nearly any exchange or conversation, and ciao is a sufficient salutation and is more often heard here than arrivederci. Per favore and grazieare musts, and scusa mi is helpful since other foreign travelers might assume you’re local and actually get out of your way if you ask them to in Italian.
Even though it’s English-language friendly, Rome is absolutely foreign and therefore a great way to accustom oneself to international travel. In fact, I took my first international trip here over a decade ago. You WILL feel the frustration of being a foreigner, the discomfort of disorientation, the muddle of misperception, and all of those things are paradoxically pleasing about being in a different country. Those are the things that make travelers out of vacationers, the growing pains of greater experiences. But Rome has plenty of comforts we expect in a city and therefore, first-timers aren’t exactly throwing themselves to the wolves. It’s more like being thrown to the she-wolf that cared for Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome according to legend.
Really Easy to Travel To and Around
Most of us from the U.S. are used to and even dependent on using cars daily, but you definitely do not need one in Rome. The Metro system is remarkably simple for a city of this size (2.627 million, 2012), with Lines A and B basically forming an “X” across the city and giving access to nearly all main tourist destinations. Line C won’t be complete until later this year and is more useful for eastern suburban dwellers than visitors, but there will be a total of 68 stations for all lines. To compare, Paris, France has a smaller population (2.244 million, 2010) but its Metro has 16 lines and 303 stations. Chicago, Illinois, with a slightly larger population than Rome (2.719 million, 2013) has eight lines and 145 stations. I always enjoy taking subways, but I have to admit that it’s a lot less likely to get lost among two lines than 16.
The Roman buses are fairly easy to navigate, and there plenty of cabs and scooters for hire, as well as the most reliable form of transit: your own two feet. Practically all the main tourist stops are within walking distance of each other assuming you are appropriately shoed, and the best way to feel a city is to walk it. How else can you stumble upon the sweetest gelateria or most unique antique store, let alone ask for directions from locals or be invited to dinner by some?
It is very simple to get from the airports to the City Center, which is where I absolutely recommend basing your lodging. Being close to Termini Station (Stazione Termini) where national and international trains as well as the metro are based is so helpful. You can also get cabs, money, groceries and pharmacy items here, and there are very inexpensive buses to/from both airports plus a rail line to Fiumicino–Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (always, always known by locals as Fiumicino). Just a few blocks east of Termini is one of the best hostels ever, Alessandro’s Palace. The staff is helpful and friendly, the Rome After Dark pub-crawls are a great deal and the rooftop terrace is an absolute haven in the city, walled by honeysuckle bushes. I met so many dear people working and/or staying at this hostel, I cannot recommend it enough.
Something for Everyone
Some travelers come to Rome for religious reasons, specifically hoping to see the Pope and Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter in Chains Church, The Holy Stairs, Catacombs, etc. Other travelers come more for the historical value of places like the Colosseum and the Forum and for the aesthetics of Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. All of these attractions will make your trip plenty full, but Rome is a thriving metropolis with modern museums, musical performances, sports, beaches accessible by public transit, shopping and multi-cultural gastronomy.
The hustle-and-bustle of Rome is remarkable, especially if you are in traffic or in a throng of tourists at the main destinations. Yet, I always seemed to find a park or shaded spot in which to get my directional baring or have a picnic. Having these peaceful, green places brought some balance to the chaos of city- and hostel-dwelling.
Other than this one time when I took a scooter ride and got taken for a ride, I felt quite safe as a woman traveling alone in Rome. The many nightlife options are best enjoyed among friends, whether you’ve known each other for years or just met an hour ago. I’ve also visited Rome as part of a couple and found that it can be a very romantic city… whether you’ve known each other for years or just met an hour ago!
This is a budget travel bonus. Ever been walking around a city, completely parched but not finding a place to purchase an overpriced bottle of safe drinking water? Not in Rome! The city has 2,500 or so taps called nasoni (big noses) dispensing delicious potable water. Just keep an eye out for the pipes or for others filling water bottles or rinsing their hands underneath these.
There is even a nasoni or two beside the Trevi Fountain, but don’t drink from the fountain itself since it’s full of coins. Legend has it that tossing one in means you’ll return to Rome. Having been to the Eternal City five times now, it’s funny that I didn’t even go to Trevi on my first trip. As of the publishing of this post, the fountain is currently empty and surrounded by fence for renovation. It closed just a few weeks after my latest visits.
The free water throughout the city is a truly refreshing treat on a continent where you don’t even usually get a free glass of water with your entrée as we do in the U.S. But, it is considered rude to bring your tap water to the table, in Italy so keep that water bottle in your bag at supper. You know, do as the Romans do.
If you spend any length of time in Rome, you will get eye-rollingly tired of hearing three idiomatic expressions: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and “All roads lead to Rome.” The first, “When in Rome…” works wherever you visit, as in, make the effort to experience the local culture, to fit in, to be respectful and appreciate your time there. The second expression is not literal but feels very logical for a Euro Trip. Whether you are on a Mediterranean cruise, a honeymoon, a budget backpack trip or a Eurail pass train tour, Rome should absolutely be a featured stop or even a standalone destination if time is limited. It has something for everyone, and its languages and transit systems make it a relatively easy place for first-time international travelers while still providing a truly foreign and truly fantastic urban experience.
P.S. As the third idiom goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and neither is a travel savings account. It took me a decade to save up enough to take a travel sabbatical, however unintentional mine was! So if reading about foreign travel makes you wish you could do it too, take a moment from daydreaming and look at where in your budget there is room for frugality. Save on daily life now to have the experience of a lifetime later.
Your voice matters!