Rome - To Stay
Rome - To Do
Rome - To Eat
Rome - To Do
Rome - To Eat
Italy Multiple Hop Holiday Starting from Rome
11April2017
Basilica Papale Di Santa Maria Maggiore
Click here for ABBA location of Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore, 42, 00100 Roma, Italy
One of the largest Catholic Mariah church in Rome. Free to enter. A beautiful church that's dedicated to Mary. Each of the various basilicas have their unique charm.
Click here for ABBA location of Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore, 42, 00100 Roma, Italy
Click here for full write up on the tour. "Skip the line tours" or regular queuing.
The skip the line tours, 'seemingly by scalpers' go for €30euro and they offer up to €3 discount. Regular retail tickets are priced at €12 and both ticket offered grants one entry to the Roman forum as well as Palatine on the same or subsequent day.
Normal queuing started at 1235hrs and we got in by 1300hrs. Only 25mins! The lines seemed long but it really isn't as it branches out to, ticket purchasers, Pre-bought and 'scalper' tours. So, just queue for tickets and save yourself the money!
Only an Additional €9 official tour by the Colosseum ticket desk, grants one excess to the underground section and the top tier which is 100% worth it! Scalper tours has no excess to these places.
Dinner at Spiriti E Forme
Click here for original review of Spiriti E Forme
Ordered On:
11April2017
Rigatone pasta bacon cheese artichokes and pepper €12
*The artichokes didn't really add that much. It brought a light freshness to the dish and went well together with the salty bacon.*
Extra large maccherone tomato sauce and oxtail €12
*This order was really good. A hearty serving of oxtail meat, which pairs well with a tomato sauce to help cut thought the richness.*
Trevi Fountain
Click here for 2day walking itinary for Rome to hit most of the attractions!
Shopping Street
Spanish Steps
Giolitti Ice cream
Tea Break at Giolitti
Click here for full review of flavors served at Giolitti and the bests ones to get.
Calzone at €5
*Pretty alright. The pastry is a little thick for my liking as I was expecting a light fry casing.
The filling is very flavorful though. Its not worth for the sit down meal.*
Regular Sundae at €7
*Regular sundae entitles you to 3 flavors. The premium that one has to pay for place to sit down. You're better off sticking to the take away which are cheap and you get a larger serving and an edible ice cream cone!*
Click here for ABBA location of Da Francesco
Dinner at Ristorante Target again!
Ordered On:
14April2017
*Review above. The risotto is spot on. Cooked with purple cabbage hence the purplish hue, with the sprinkling of speck over. Creamy, rich and lovely flavored. The pizzas are pretty good as well with a generous supply of ingredients. For the asking price, service and ambience, this place is a steal for a sit down dinner*
Fed2 at 35.75Euros
Day 5 Continued with 4Day3Night
Itinerary in Florence (part2of3)
0950Train from Roma Termini to Firenze S.M.Novella 11:22 Arrival 47Euros total for 2.
Entire Trip
5Day4Night Itenary Rome (part1/3)
Train to Florence
4Day3Night Itenary Florence (part2/of3)
Train to Naples
4Day3Night Itenary Naples (part3/3)
Flight From Naples To Milan and back to Singapore.
5Day4Night Itenary Rome (part1/3)
Train to Florence
4Day3Night Itenary Florence (part2/3)
Train to Naples
4Day3Night Itenary Naples (part3/3)
Flight To Milan and back to Singapore.
Train to Florence
4Day3Night Itenary Florence (part2/3)
Train to Naples
4Day3Night Itenary Naples (part3/3)
Flight To Milan and back to Singapore.
11April2017
SQ366 01:55 Departure/ Arrival 08:10
Internet connection
Internet needs were settled with data roaming with M1. Charges were at 25SGD for 1month in all of Italy with Voda phone Carrier. The package uses your existing data package. One could hot spot the internet and share the connection with traveling companions.
Moving around in Rome
ABBATip: Keep small bills and coins for taking the public train/bus. The ticketing
machine dishes out a max change of €6. Alternatively, where available, you can buy
tickets from nearby shops (often tobacco selling kiosks) with larger notes.
Day 1 11April2017(Tue) Internet needs were settled with data roaming with M1. Charges were at 25SGD for 1month in all of Italy with Voda phone Carrier. The package uses your existing data package. One could hot spot the internet and share the connection with traveling companions.
Moving around in Rome
ABBATip: Keep small bills and coins for taking the public train/bus. The ticketing
machine dishes out a max change of €6. Alternatively, where available, you can buy
tickets from nearby shops (often tobacco selling kiosks) with larger notes.
Getting to our hotel:
Suite Dreams
Suite Dreams
Free wifi and daily breakfast at €10 provided.
*Rooms are nicely sized, modern looking and clean.
A Standard train rides (1hr) from the airport to the Roma Termini go for €8 and the train express train rides (35min) go for €14. This brings you to the main train station which would require another change on the public train, system at an additional €1.50 per pax.The airport had shuttle services provided by CON.CO.RA by the counter which offered
fairly reasonable charges for direct hotel drop off at €35 total for 2pax. The caveat is
that it's a shared transport with other holiday makers. For the slight premium of
€6 total for the reduced travel time and hassle, fairly worth it and time saving.
€6 total for the reduced travel time and hassle, fairly worth it and time saving.
Basilica Papale Di Santa Maria Maggiore
One of the largest Catholic Mariah church in Rome. Free to enter. A beautiful church that's dedicated to Mary. Each of the various basilicas have their unique charm.
Click here for ABBA location of Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore, 42, 00100 Roma, Italy
Lunch at Rosette
4.6 rating on google out of 49 Reviews. A nice hole in the wall place which serves gourmet sliders. A great stop over along the way from Santa Maria basilica to the Colosseum.
Ordered on:
11April2017
Cod Fish Balls €3.50
*Upmarket fillet O fish*
Baked Escarole with dried mozzarella cheese €3.50*I think its a sort of local vegetables, but it does taste good thou*
Svea - Smoked Salmon, jacket potatoes, mustard and dill sauce. €3
Lady Godiva - Beef Meatballs cooked in tomatoe sauce €3*Nice marinara sauce with a meaty patty.*
Ham, baked zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and pesto €3.50
*One can really taste the flavorful pesto. The seasonal favorite for myself.*
Their breads are nicely toasted. Crispy and light. Paired together with their beautiful ingredients. Quick bites in this gourmet slider bistro. Cheap and good and come in small portions allowing you to try a variety of flavors besides the standard pizzas and pastas.
Interestingly, they've got tiramisu prepared the same way too.
Total €16.50 fed2.
Colosseum Tour
11April2017
11April2017
The skip the line tours, 'seemingly by scalpers' go for €30euro and they offer up to €3 discount. Regular retail tickets are priced at €12 and both ticket offered grants one entry to the Roman forum as well as Palatine on the same or subsequent day.
Normal queuing started at 1235hrs and we got in by 1300hrs. Only 25mins! The lines seemed long but it really isn't as it branches out to, ticket purchasers, Pre-bought and 'scalper' tours. So, just queue for tickets and save yourself the money!
*The Colosseum tour last for 80mins and grants access to other wise restricted access in the Colosseum. Definitely not to be missed.*
Dinner at Spiriti E Forme
(Located right beside the trevi fountain)
Click here for original review of Spiriti E Forme
Ordered On:
11April2017
Rigatone pasta bacon cheese artichokes and pepper €12
*The artichokes didn't really add that much. It brought a light freshness to the dish and went well together with the salty bacon.*
Extra large maccherone tomato sauce and oxtail €12
*This order was really good. A hearty serving of oxtail meat, which pairs well with a tomato sauce to help cut thought the richness.*
Still just as enjoyable after having last been here 4years ago. Italy tends to serve pasta a little too al dante style and a little on the salty side. However, its still a good dish in a lovely setting. Don't be fooled by the portion size as its quite filling.
Fed 2 at €31 total
Trevi Fountain
11April2017
Click here for 2day walking itinary for Rome to hit most of the attractions!
Day2 12 April (Wed)
Part2 of Colosseum tour which the ticket grants you entry into the
Forum and Palatine Hill
The Roman forum is the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the
Truth Stone
Part2 of Colosseum tour which the ticket grants you entry into the
Forum and Palatine Hill
Remember, tickets from the Colosseum/Forum, grants you entry into either. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are co-located. Catering about 2hours for a visit here is just nice.
Roman Forum
center of the city. The remnants of beautiful colossal structures that have stood the test
of time.
With clearly marked routes (indicating level of difficulty to traverse) and excerpts, these
really help shed light on the enjoyable visit and casual stroll on the grounds.
Palatine Hillof time.
With clearly marked routes (indicating level of difficulty to traverse) and excerpts, these
really help shed light on the enjoyable visit and casual stroll on the grounds.
Palatine Hill is the center most of the seven hills of Rome. It stands 40m above the
Roman forum and has a beautiful aerial view of Circus Maximus.
Cater about 2hours total to cover both attractions. We enjoyed the roman forums more
over palatine hills. There are loads of drinking water points and easy route markings
within the compound.
Cater about 2hours total to cover both attractions. We enjoyed the roman forums more
over palatine hills. There are loads of drinking water points and easy route markings
within the compound.
Circus Maximus
Lunch at Vinando
Click here for Full review of Vinando
Ordered On:
12April2017
Caprice Salad €8
*Simple fresh flavors with tomato and fresh Mozzarella cheese. Good ingredients
coming together for a delicious appetizer.*
Amatriciana Style Pasta €10
*Pretty simple fare and nicely done.*
Prawn Carbonara Style €10
*An off menu pick that they add prawn to the carbonara pasta. A reorder from four years
ago which came recommended by the waiter. Still good, but the shrimp seem to have
shrunk in size and serving.*
Click here for Full review of Vinando
Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara coeli
Click here for Full review of Vinando
Ordered On:
12April2017
Caprice Salad €8
coming together for a delicious appetizer.*
Amatriciana Style Pasta €10
Prawn Carbonara Style €10
ago which came recommended by the waiter. Still good, but the shrimp seem to have
shrunk in size and serving.*
Click here for Full review of Vinando
Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara coeli
Altar of the Father Land
*The Altare della Patria, also known as the Monumento Nazionale a
Vittorio Emanuele II or Il Vittoriano, is a monument built in honor of
Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, located in Rome,
Italy.*
Shopping Street
Spanish Steps
Tea Break at Giolitti
Click here for full review of flavors served at Giolitti and the bests ones to get.
Calzone at €5
*Pretty alright. The pastry is a little thick for my liking as I was expecting a light fry casing.
The filling is very flavorful though. Its not worth for the sit down meal.*
Regular Sundae at €7
*Regular sundae entitles you to 3 flavors. The premium that one has to pay for place to sit down. You're better off sticking to the take away which are cheap and you get a larger serving and an edible ice cream cone!*
Pantheon
Dinner at Ristorante Target
4.2/90reviews on google located beside Suite Dreams
At a glance the reviews just indicate that their salads are really good. The rest are average standing. However having been here twice, the food serve and service speaks otherwise.
Ordered On:
12April2017
Bresola salsad with arugula lettuce, mushrooms lemon oil
and layers of parmean 9Euros
*Simple ingredients made great together. The cured beef slices were nicely accented by the quality olive oils and fresh mushrooms. I never realized mushrooms could be had that way and would incorporate that in home salads in future. The peperish flavors from the arugula really accents the dish. The lemon oil wasn't present though. Good salad and as from online reviews, will come back to try the rest of them.*
Octopus soup with squid, mussels, prawns and croutons 13Euros
*Beautiful broth with loads of ingredients. Each spoonful brings the taste of the sea in a large serving. Its well worth the order.*
Linguine Pasta DOP with shrimps and leek 13Euros
*The serving of pasta is huge here! The sauce is light with some cheese, and there's only a hint of leek. They could have reduced the serve of pasta, else its a pretty okay dish.*
Total 48.20Euros Fed 2 with Beer and Coke ordered.
Dinner at Ristorante Target
4.2/90reviews on google located beside Suite Dreams
At a glance the reviews just indicate that their salads are really good. The rest are average standing. However having been here twice, the food serve and service speaks otherwise.
Ordered On:
12April2017
Bresola salsad with arugula lettuce, mushrooms lemon oil
and layers of parmean 9Euros
Octopus soup with squid, mussels, prawns and croutons 13Euros
Linguine Pasta DOP with shrimps and leek 13Euros
*The serving of pasta is huge here! The sauce is light with some cheese, and there's only a hint of leek. They could have reduced the serve of pasta, else its a pretty okay dish.*
For the asking price on the menu, together with the service, ambience, I'd say that Ristorante Target is a steal! The prices on the menu is pretty much the standard prices that one is charged at other sit down eateries.
The only thing here is they slap on a 10% service charge but its still well worth it and would return here for another meal if within the area as its a little aways from many attractions.
We did return on the last night (reviewed further below)
The only thing here is they slap on a 10% service charge but its still well worth it and would return here for another meal if within the area as its a little aways from many attractions.
We did return on the last night (reviewed further below)
Day3 13April (Thur)
Vatican City
Lunch at Ducentogradi
(Best Panini located just outside of Vatican City and Museum)
Ordered On:
13April2017
Margana
- smoked wild boar, scamorza, smoked cheese, rocket salad, 4 cheeses sauce,
pumpkin cream €8
SFORZA CESARINI €9
- smoked salmon, robiola cheese, rocket salad, avocado
*Still cheap good eats. Italy does their preserved meats and fishes the best and are again showcased beautifully with the combination of these simple fresh ingredients. Cheap and great!*
Scalpers tour VS queuing? In general the Skip the line tours go for €30 there abouts
and comes with a guide. Off course if the queue is really long and you're short on time,
that'll probably be your only option. The queue tends to thin out after lunch period and
you might want to plan your visit around that time.
The admission tickets go for €12. Don't be coned by the Scalpers who say that there's
another queue to enter the basilica after having visited the Vatican Museum. The entry
ticket grants access to the Vatican museum, Sistine Chappell and Basilica( Only the
Basilica is free to enter). When reaching the Sistine Chappell, one can either return to
the Museum section, or exit to the basilica.
There's no returning to the Vatican museum once exiting the Sistine Chappell.
Click here for full review of Vatican Museum Visit.
We arrived at 8.15 and Vatican museum ticketing starts only at 9am. The moment doors
open, we were in the Vatican Museum within 15mins (short queue). The skip the line
tours said they were already allowing people in from 8 onward. The queues tend to
dissipate in the later afternoon which might be a better time to visit the Vatican
Click here for full review of Vatican Museum Visit.
and comes with a guide. Off course if the queue is really long and you're short on time,
that'll probably be your only option. The queue tends to thin out after lunch period and
you might want to plan your visit around that time.
The admission tickets go for €12. Don't be coned by the Scalpers who say that there's
another queue to enter the basilica after having visited the Vatican Museum. The entry
ticket grants access to the Vatican museum, Sistine Chappell and Basilica( Only the
Basilica is free to enter). When reaching the Sistine Chappell, one can either return to
the Museum section, or exit to the basilica.
There's no returning to the Vatican museum once exiting the Sistine Chappell.
We arrived at 8.15 and Vatican museum ticketing starts only at 9am. The moment doors
open, we were in the Vatican Museum within 15mins (short queue). The skip the line
tours said they were already allowing people in from 8 onward. The queues tend to
dissipate in the later afternoon which might be a better time to visit the Vatican
Click here for full review of Vatican Museum Visit.
Lunch at Ducentogradi
(Best Panini located just outside of Vatican City and Museum)
Ordered On:
13April2017
- smoked wild boar, scamorza, smoked cheese, rocket salad, 4 cheeses sauce,
pumpkin cream €8
SFORZA CESARINI €9
- smoked salmon, robiola cheese, rocket salad, avocado
*Still cheap good eats. Italy does their preserved meats and fishes the best and are again showcased beautifully with the combination of these simple fresh ingredients. Cheap and great!*
Dinner at Colline Emiliane
(Booking is a must! Michelin 2017 Recommended
800m form SuiteDreams hotel)
(Booking is a must! Michelin 2017 Recommended
800m form SuiteDreams hotel)
Click here for ABBA location of Colline Emiliane
From online recommendation for top eats in Rome. *The menu is rich in egg-based home pasta like pumpkin pasta with butter and sage and tagliatelle Alla Bolognese. Save room for meaty mains including bollito mistro and fried liver. Book well in advance!*
We showed up in the evening at doors open and they were booked till the next day, with the only timing available that night and the next to be at 930pm. Reservations were made for two days after. The lunch timing could be easier to get a seating.
From online recommendation for top eats in Rome. *The menu is rich in egg-based home pasta like pumpkin pasta with butter and sage and tagliatelle Alla Bolognese. Save room for meaty mains including bollito mistro and fried liver. Book well in advance!*
We showed up in the evening at doors open and they were booked till the next day, with the only timing available that night and the next to be at 930pm. Reservations were made for two days after. The lunch timing could be easier to get a seating.
Ordered On:
13April2017
Milk-Braised veal with mashed potatoes 18Euros
Milk-Braised veal with mashed potatoes 18Euros
*Well it taste much better than it look. The mash is super smooth and the meat was very tender. It was advertised by the waiter that they were the only ones who prepare the meat like that and we went with the order. Its okay, but not great, especially at the asking price.*
Assorted boiled meats (beef, tongue, veal head , stewing hen)
with homemade green sauce 22Euros
Traditional Tuscan dish.
Assorted boiled meats (beef, tongue, veal head , stewing hen)
with homemade green sauce 22Euros
Traditional Tuscan dish.
*Taste like it looks. Boiled, dull and boring. For fear of the string of pizzas pastas to come on this Italian trip, I went for the recommendation as per the website quote above. The desperation to try something other than pizzas and pastas back fired. The green sauce is pretty good, but the tomato/pear preserves were horrendous. Spicy and firm and having no idea how it goes with the dish. Its not the first time that non-pizza/pasta dishes in Italy have failed miserably (with the exception of pricey Florentine steak), and this was a pricey reminder.*
Homemade Tagliatelle Bolognese 15Euros
*The add-on order that definitely saved the day. Their Home made tagliatelle is top notch and by far, the best tagliatelle had to date. Not too firm, with a lovely texture and bite to it. You could taste the egg I believe mixed in to make the noodles. The portion serve is just nice to coat the sauces.
The clear star and in my opinion the only reason to come back for and try their other Pasta dishes! The asking price maybe steeper than other places, but for the quality pasta they serve here, its definitely worth it! Will return for their pasta selection and because of it, fitting of the Michelin recommendation. *
Fed 2 at 59.50Euros total.
The clear star and in my opinion the only reason to come back for and try their other Pasta dishes! The asking price maybe steeper than other places, but for the quality pasta they serve here, its definitely worth it! Will return for their pasta selection and because of it, fitting of the Michelin recommendation. *
Fed 2 at 59.50Euros total.
Damn, I should have just passed on the meats. Just stick to their home made pasta selection and you'll be having a great time. By far, this is the best fresh pasta had to date and its worth to come back! End of the day, it was a wrong selection choice order.
Castel Sant' Angelo (9am-7.30m daily)
€12 for entry for adults
From a historical standpoint, much of it has been kept intact and still in its original
condition, which really gives one a feel for the place.
Click here for ABBA lcoation of Castel Sant'Angelo
Lunch at Da Francesco
Located between Castle Saint Angelo and Piazza Navona is Da Francesco, which
dishes out authentic Italian cuisine.
Ordered On:
14April2017
Linguine Pasta with Scampi €22
*The scampi was super sweet but for the asking price for just one scampi is steep. The recommendation online was originally for the vongole (clam) pasta but they didn't have any. Good order but too steep an asking price.*
Spaghetti with egg, bacon, ewe's cheese, black pepper, black truffle €20
*Good but heavy. I love the salty fried bacon together with the cheese like sauce. The truffle flavors are definitely there and the flavors balance each other out. Worth the order and a fair asking price!*
Mixed Salad €5
*A simple salad as most Italian meals go without vegetables.*
Total 49Euros fed 2 with Aqua still.
€12 for entry for adults
Click here for ABBA lcoation of Castel Sant'Angelo
The whole structure In itself is the main attraction. As the building has undergone several changes in its usage, there isn't really a flow to the whole structure. In fact, there's several nooks and crannies for interesting discoveries. Of course the view from the top is at its best, with a Birdseye view of the city and of Vatican city. Stunning!'
The whole structure In itself is the main attraction. As the building has undergone several changes in its usage, there isn't really a flow to the whole structure. In fact, there's several nooks and crannies for interesting discoveries. Of course the view from the top is at its best, with a Birdseye view of the city and of Vatican city. Stunning!'
condition, which really gives one a feel for the place.
Click here for ABBA lcoation of Castel Sant'Angelo
Piazza Novona
Lunch at Da Francesco
Located between Castle Saint Angelo and Piazza Navona is Da Francesco, which
dishes out authentic Italian cuisine.
14April2017
Linguine Pasta with Scampi €22
Spaghetti with egg, bacon, ewe's cheese, black pepper, black truffle €20
Mixed Salad €5
Total 49Euros fed 2 with Aqua still.
Another researched joint that recommended the clam pasta, but unfortunately there weren't any in stock on arrival. The reviews had said authentic Italian eats with cheaper prices. Perhaps a dated review as their courses were around the 12-15Euros range, so I'd say pretty standard pricing.
Their premium/seasonal selection is a different story though.
Their premium/seasonal selection is a different story though.
The scampi dish would have been better with more than a single serve, but that truffle bacon cheese pasta was divine and superb. Steep on the price but the combination of flavors and textures was really good. A good stop by place to try their other pastas or as recommended by others, for their pizzas as well.
Dinner at Ristorante Target again!
14April2017
*Review above. The risotto is spot on. Cooked with purple cabbage hence the purplish hue, with the sprinkling of speck over. Creamy, rich and lovely flavored. The pizzas are pretty good as well with a generous supply of ingredients. For the asking price, service and ambience, this place is a steal for a sit down dinner*
Fed2 at 35.75Euros
Day 5 Continued with 4Day3Night
Itinerary in Florence (part2of3)
0950Train from Roma Termini to Firenze S.M.Novella 11:22 Arrival 47Euros total for 2.
Entire Trip
5Day4Night Itenary Rome (part1/3)
Train to Florence
4Day3Night Itenary Florence (part2/of3)
Train to Naples
4Day3Night Itenary Naples (part3/3)
Flight From Naples To Milan and back to Singapore.
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