From Fountains to Forums: Jodie’s 72 Hours in Rome

My Three Nights in Rome

Back in March, I whisked myself away to Rome for a three-night break with a couple of friends. We flew out of Bristol with EasyJet and checked into the cutest little spot, the Anaheim Boutique Hotel. The best bit? It was right around the corner from Piazza del Popolo, which is such a pretty square packed with cafés, bars, and restaurants.

First Stop: Vatican City

We kicked things off with the Vatican City. On the way, we passed Castel Sant’Agnello, then headed straight for the Vatican Museums. Luckily, we’d pre-booked tickets (seriously, do this the queues can be crazy!). Wandering through was amazing, but stepping into the Sistine Chapel… wow. It gave me goosebumps.

Piazzas & Markets

On our way back, we strolled through Piazza Navona (so cute with its coffee shops) and ended up at a market in Piazza del Biscone. Here we snacked on cheese, truffles, and limoncello when in Rome, right?

TikTok Famous Sandwiches

Okay, I have to talk about All’Antico Vinai. If you’ve seen it on TikTok, you’ll know what I mean. The sandwiches are HUGE. Everything’s in Italian, so I just picked a random number from the board and it turned out to be incredible. We queued for about 15 minutes, but it moved quickly, and it was hands-down the best sandwich I’ve ever had.

Spanish Steps & Trevi at Night

That evening, we wandered to the Spanish Steps, then over to the Trevi Fountain. Honestly, if you’re going to see the Trevi, do it at night. It’s lit up, way less crowded, and makes for the perfect photo spot. Plus, just off the fountain we found Taberna, a little bar serving giant takeaway cocktails for €5. Absolute bargain!

The Colosseum: Two Ways

One of my favourite moments was stumbling upon the Colosseum at night while walking through Monti. It was glowing, quiet, and stunning. We went back the next day to see it in daylight but skipped going inside. Instead, we splurged on a horse-and-cart ride from the Spanish Steps down to the Colosseum (€180 between three of us). So much fun and such a pretty way to get around!

Evenings in Monti & Trastevere

We spent another night in Monti, which felt much quieter and more traditional perfect for sipping Italian wine and soaking up the local vibe. But my absolute favourite neighbourhood was Trastevere. With its cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and buzzing squares, it was everything I wanted from Rome. If I go back, I’d definitely stay there.

Wrapping It Up

Three nights wasn’t nearly enough, but we packed in so much Vatican treasures, giant sandwiches, €5 cocktails, and magical moments at the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. Rome has such a mix of big landmarks and hidden gems, and it completely won me over.

💡 If Rome is on your bucket list, let me help you plan it. I know all the little tips and tricks (like where to find those giant sandwiches and cocktails!) to make your trip unforgettable.