During this visit to Rome, we had a very limited amount of time, so we planned our sightseeing carefully. After visiting Piazza Navona and Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena, we continued on foot toward two of Rome's most famous landmarks: the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.
WALKING THROUGH THE HEART OF ROME
The historic center of Rome is made up of narrow streets and pedestrian areas, and many of the sights are close enough together that walking is often the easiest way to get around.
We started our walk at Piazza Navona and continued toward the Pantheon. From there, we made our way through the narrow streets to the Trevi Fountain.
If you're planning to visit several of these sights, I recommend mapping out your route ahead of time. It is easy to underestimate how much time you'll spend walking, stopping for photos and simply looking around.
One thing we learned during our visit was not to depend completely on our phones.
We had four phones with us, from different carriers, and none of them could get a signal in this area. I'm not sure if the narrow streets and tall buildings were responsible, but our phones had worked perfectly well during our visits to Barcelona and Malta.
Having a map or your route saved ahead of time is a good idea.
TREVI FOUNTAIN
The Trevi Fountain is probably the most famous fountain in Rome, so of course it was on our list of places to see.
One of the things I remember most about visiting the fountain is the way it suddenly appears as you make your way through the narrow streets. You can be walking along what looks like an ordinary Roman street and then turn a corner and suddenly — there it is.
Unlike Piazza Navona, where there is a large open piazza surrounding the fountains, the Trevi Fountain is tucked into a much smaller space surrounded by buildings.
That makes the fountain feel even more dramatic, but it also means the area can feel very crowded.
The day we visited, however, the crowds weren't too bad and there was plenty of room around the fountain.
AND THEN THERE WERE CANNOLI
One of my favorite memories from our visit to the Trevi Fountain actually has nothing to do with the fountain itself.
We stopped at a little restaurant or bakery near the fountain and bought cannoli.
I don't remember the name of the business, and there weren't any obvious signs identifying it, but if you're facing the fountain, I remember it being a few doors down on the left.
Don't they look delicious?
They tasted even better than they looked!
The cost of a bottle of water and the cannoli cost us around €2.50. Of course, prices have changed since then, but at the time we thought it was a great little bargain in such a popular tourist area.
It's memories like this that remind me that travel isn't always about the big attractions. Sometimes it's the little things you discover along the way that you remember most.
THE PANTHEON
The Pantheon is one of the most impressive ancient buildings in Rome, and it is remarkable to think about how long it has stood here.
The building we see today was completed during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. It was later converted into a Christian church, which helped preserve the structure through the centuries.
Today, the Pantheon remains both a historic monument and an active church. When we visited, there was no admission charge for visitors. That is no longer the case. The Pantheon now requires an admission ticket for ordinary visitors, although access rules can differ for worship and religious services.
So if you're planning your own visit, be sure to check the current visitor information before you go.
LOOK UP!
The first thing most people do when they enter the Pantheon is look up.
It's hard not to.
The enormous dome is one of the building's most remarkable features. At the center is the oculus, a circular opening approximately 8.9 meters (29 feet) in diameter.
The oculus is the only major source of natural light in the interior, creating a dramatic effect as sunlight moves across the building throughout the day.
And yes, when it rains, rainwater can come through the oculus.
The floor is slightly sloped and contains drainage openings to allow the water to escape.
[INSERT INTERIOR PHOTO]
Standing inside and looking up at that enormous dome is one of those moments that really makes you stop and think about what you're seeing.
This isn't a modern recreation or a recently restored attraction. You're standing inside a building that has survived for almost 2,000 years.
[INSERT PANTHEON MAP/PHOTO]
OUR ROME WALKING ROUTE
Our route through this part of Rome looked something like this:
Piazza Navona → Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena → Pantheon → Trevi Fountain
The distances between these attractions are manageable, but I recommend allowing more time than you think you'll need.
Rome is not a city I would want to rush through.
There are too many beautiful buildings, little streets and unexpected discoveries along the way.
For us, however, time was running out. This was toward the end of our very short visit to Rome, and we still had a plane to catch.
That's why we took a taxi to Piazza Navona rather than spending time figuring out the bus system. Once we arrived, we walked from one attraction to the next.
Even with our limited time, we were able to see several places that had been on my Rome wish list for years.
A FEW THINGS I LEARNED
If you're planning to explore this part of Rome, here are a few things I would keep in mind:
Plan your walking route ahead of time. The attractions are close together, but it helps to know where you're going before you start.
Don't depend entirely on your phone. We had four phones from different carriers and couldn't get a signal in some of the narrow streets. Having your route saved or carrying a backup map is a good idea.
Wear comfortable shoes. You'll be doing more walking than you may realize.
Allow time for the unexpected. Some of our favorite moments came from things we hadn't planned to see.
And most importantly, look around while you're walking. The famous landmarks are wonderful, but Rome itself is the attraction.
