The Perfect Three-Day Break in Rome🧳

By Laura Honan

Although the Irish weather might not reflect it, summer is fast approaching which makes now

the perfect time to book that summer break. Rome is the perfect spot for a break with plenty

of historical sights and only being a short distance from the sea-there’s something for

everybody to see.

This summer with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Celebration, Rome is sure to be jam

packed-so I’ve designed the perfect itinerary for you to see the best of everything the city

has to offer.

Before you head off to Rome make sure you pick up an International Student Identity Card.

Visit https://www.isic.org/ for more information on how you can access thousands of

discounts and offers globally.

Day 1

The first day will start with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. Entrance to the

Basilica is free and mass is offered every half an hour. After exploring the basilica head on

over to the Vatican Museum. Ticket prices vary throughout the year (but you can obtain a

student discount with the International Student Identity Card). It is best to have your tickets

pre-booked online to avoid even longer queues. The museum boasts a wide range of history

beginning with Ancient Egypt and ending in the Sistine Chapel. While you're there check out the Vatican gardens, a gorgeous place to take a break and soak in the Roman sun- just remember your factor fifty.

For dinner this evening I recommend dinner at Naumachia Ristorante (especially the

carbonara and chocolate mousse). After dinner, it is only a short walk to see the Colosseum

lit up at night, an amazing opportunity for some photos.

Day 2

It was so nice we had to see it twice. Today will start with a tour of the Colosseum (student

discounts available again with the ISIC). For all tours I would recommend pre-booking tickets

to guarantee access and avoid queues. A guided tour is best as they can tell you all about

the history and you get access to inside the Colosseum. From there walk to the Roman

Forum, a site of the ruins of many important government buildings in Ancient Rome, some of

the surviving structures include the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Caesar and the Arch of

Septimus Severus.

The Trevi Fountain is our next spot, it’s a great place for photos- just be mindful of

pickpockets. After managing your way to the front of the crowds follow the tradition of

throwing a coin into the fountain to be brought back to Rome.

Round your day off with a visit to the Spanish Steps

A lovely nearby spot for food is Grano Trattoria.

As today was a busy day it is only right to end it with ice cream. Visit the Gelateria

Frigidarium for homemade gelato (I highly recommend the pistachio).

Day 3

It's summertime and the Roman city is busy and hot. Today is going to be a chill day. In the

morning take the train from Roma Termini to Santa Marinella, a seaside town close to the

city and popular spot for tourists and day trips. The beach is only a ten-minute walk from the

train station. The beach is free with perfectly clear water and a small bay enclosed by

clusters of rocks- a lovely spot for swimming.

If you're feeling up to it later Santa Serva Castle is only a short distance away and is a

gorgeous place to explore. The castle has a rich historical background tracing back to the

tenth and eleventh centuries and is a perfect place to explore to round off your trip.

Accommodation

For the best and most affordable prices for students use either hostels or Airbnb. An Airbnb

off the main streets of Rome will work out to be quite affordable when split between a group.

Other Attractions

There is so much to see and do in Rome. I genuinely believe you couldn’t see it all in a

month. So, if you are staying longer in Rome here’s a list of things to do and see

- St Mary Major Church

- St John Lateran Church

- St Paul’s Outside the Walls

- The Pantheon

- Campo de’ Fiori

- Galleria Borghese

- Piazza Navona

- Trastevere

- Piazzo del Popolo

- Sunset from Terazza del Pincio

- Spaccio restaurant is an amazing place for pasta (highly recommend the pistachio

pesto and the lemon butter ravioli)

And remember to check out the International Student Identity Card website to see what

discounts and offers you can get on your trip to Rome.

Buon Viaggio!