Travel · June 11, 2026

Rome in a Day

A few hours in Rome, from the first Aperol Spritz to the last glimpse of the city.

We had just a few hours to explore Rome, but we squeezed every bit of sightseeing out of that quick stop. After a fast change and refresh at the hotel, we headed straight to our first incredible meal at Roscioli. It was the perfect welcome to Italy — Aperol Spritzes, Negronis, our first Italian wine, and of course an espresso to keep us going.

We dove into charcuterie and pastas that were so good they set the bar high for the rest of the trip.

Scott and I had a scheduled tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, and even though we moved quickly — about two hours to make our way through the galleries and halls — it was absolutely incredible. Everywhere we turned, there were centuries‑old artifacts, intricate details, and artwork that didn’t even seem possible for the time in which it was created.

Our last stop at the museums was the famous Sistine Chapel. Scott managed to sneak a quick photo of the ceiling, which Michelangelo painted in the 1500s, and even seeing it through a camera doesn’t do it justice. You could truly feel the holiness of this space – even with the crowds and the whispers, there’s an undeniable sense of reverence that makes you pause and take it all in.

Next up was St. Peter’s Basilica — the largest church in the world by interior measure and built directly over the tomb of Saint Peter, the first Pope. Walking inside felt like stepping into a masterpiece of faith and history. It’s one of those places that leaves you quiet for a moment, just taking in the sheer beauty and significance of it all.

We met up with Ben and Stephanie for dinner at Felice a Testaccio, where we dove straight into more incredible food and toasted the night with our first limoncellos.

The big finale to our day in Rome was a nighttime scooter tour of the city led by Ben. I’ll admit, I got off to a rocky start, but once I got the hang of it and got off the major highway, I was good. It was very surreal to be riding through the streets of Rome at night!

We cruised past the Altare della Patria, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain before finishing at the Pantheon. Steph tossed a few coins into the fountain for good luck, and it felt like the perfect way to wrap up our whirlwind Roman adventure.