From the Renaissance to the Eternal City: Florence to Rome

Itinerary:

Hotel - Rome Hotel: Antica Locanda dell'Orso

• Breakfast

  • Ala Grande Caffe - Via San Gallo 29/31R

• Train - Florence to Rome

  • Business Base. Seats Selected

• Aperitivo: Options

  • Gusto

    • Piazza di S. Apollinare, 41 – Via Zanardelli 14 (Piazza Navona)

• Spanish Steps

• Trevi Fountain

• Pantheon - ticket starts at €15.00

• Gelato - Günther

• Piazza Novona

  • Dinner:

    • Er Polpetta 1987

• Dessert - Tiramisu - Two Sizes via del Governo Vecchio, 88 - closes 10P

Rome, the capital of Italy, is a city rich in history, culture and architecture. Known as the Eternal city, it's ancient ruins, Renaissance art and vibrant Piazza make it a must visit destination.

With just half a day left in Florence, I wanted to make the most of our time before catching the train to Rome. The night before, I checked the weather forecast—clear skies meant a perfect opportunity to revisit Florence’s iconic landmarks. One of them was the Ponte Vecchio, a historic bridge known for its medieval charm and vibrant gold and jewelry storefronts.

After breakfast, we set out, crossing the Arno River and soaking in the last moments of Florence’s Renaissance atmosphere. With a few minutes to spare after our walk, we opted to relax in our hotel lobby, rather than waiting at Santa Maria Novella Train Station until departure. The hotel’s proximity to the station was a convenience—rain or shine, we were ready to walk with our luggage.

The Train Ride to Rome

Our train to Rome was 20 minutes late, though we didn’t realize it until Darwin asked a conductor. I later noticed email notifications about the delay, but by then, it didn’t matter. The train was packed with travelers arriving from other cities, and when it finally pulled into Florence, it was already crowded with passengers.

Luckily, our reserved seats guaranteed us a place to sit, but space for our large suitcases was limited. Fortunately, we managed to find room for them. The ride itself was comfortable, but we ended up seated facing backward, which wasn’t ideal. I had high hopes for scenic views between Florence and Rome, expecting rolling hills and picturesque countryside. Instead, the landscape was surprisingly flat and unremarkable—not quite the cinematic journey I had envisioned.

Navigating Rome Termini Station

Upon arriving at Rome Termini, Darwin instinctively headed for the elevators, and I followed—hauling suitcases made the stairs a non-option. However, instead of leading to the main hall, the elevators dropped us into the parking garage. Attempting to backtrack seemed like the best solution, but a station employee redirected us toward an exit at street level. Unfortunately, we emerged on the side of the train station, away from the usual taxi queue. Despite the less-than-ideal location, we managed to flag down a taxi.

Reality vs. Expectations: Our Rome Hotel

I chose our Rome hotel carefully, basing my decision on location, reviews, and photos from Expedia and TripAdvisor. It looked like a great deal, but reality was different. The room was small, with limited space—our luggage barely fit when opened. The TV was awkwardly mounted near the ceiling. The door had an old-fashioned key lock, but the real issue? It didn’t lock from the inside without using the key, which raised concerns in case of an emergency.

On the plus side, the hotel provided daily cleaning, keeping things tidy. The customer service was excellent, making it a functional option for travelers needing a simple place to sleep and shower.

Travel Companion: Expectations vs. Reality

Having visited Rome multiple times, this trip wasn’t about sightseeing for me—it was about ensuring Darwin had a good first visit to both Rome and Italy. In hindsight, I should have had him plan most of this part of the trip, since his interests seemed to focus only on locations he recognized from movies.

Despite multiple requests months in advance for him to review the itinerary, provide suggestions on places he wanted to explore, or familiarize himself with key landmarks and dining spots, it became clear he made very little effort. As a result, he had no sense of why the itinerary was packed with so many stops while also dealing with the long walks between them. Ultimately, the itinerary reflected my interests alone, making the trip feel less like a shared adventure and more like a solo journey.

Why I Came Back to Rome

Three key factors led me to revisit Rome: 1) The Vatican City Jubilee Celebration – A historic event drawing countless pilgrims to Rome, held only once every 25 years. 2) Rome as a Central Base – An ideal hub for exploring other cities in Italy. 3) Exploring Lesser-Known Areas – I wanted to visit hidden corners of Rome I hadn’t explored before.

This time, I also focused on a structured Roman food experience. On past visits, dining had been random, but with a deeper understanding of food and culinary traditions, I was determined to seek out authentic Roman dishes at traditional trattorias and well-reviewed eateries.

📍 Follow along for more recommendations and insights into Italy’s most captivating destinations!