Italy Itinerary

Italy Itinerary   

Here it is: the second and final travel guide for my Europe trip. Italy was an amazing time but I did learn quite a few things in my time there so I'm here to share them with you. First of all we stayed in two different locations: Naples and Rome. First up, Napoli! We flew from Barcelona to Naples and used it as a home base to do some day trips. Naples itself is not a beautiful place to be honest. It is dirty, gritty and the people are rude, but that is what some people find so charming about it. Leon and I quickly learned that the touristy area, which is more well-kept, is along the water, which is where we stayed. From Naples we did a day trip to Pompeii and one to Positano, which makes them the first two things on our to-do list.

1. Pompeii 

This was a huge MUST for me. I grew up learning about ancient civilizations due to my mom's love for history. What i did not realize about this city is that it is expansive. It took us a whole day to walk only two streets in the whole place. My one major piece of advice for this day if you choose to go is wear comfy shoes!! I went with my go-to Skechers. A lot of people make fun of this brand, but they have some adorable styles and memory foam soles! I will link them below because I am obsessed (also this is not an ad, I wish it was, Skechers hit me up). Some extra fun: if you go super early there's a bus that will take you over to Mt. Vesuvius. You can then hike all the way up to the caldera! 
We got there by: Circumvesuviana

Shop my daily outfit:

2. Positano   

There was no way we were going to Italy and not visiting the Amalfi Coast! My one complaint was that it was not easy to get to from Naples. I would recommend staying in the town for maximum time. We woke up nice and early to get in a full day and were very content. The landscape is stunning, the food is delicious, the shops are quaint and the sun is hot. Make sure you try the limoncello if you visit (ask a local where the best is). 
We got there by: Circumvesuviana & Bus

Shop my daily outfit:

I included the jumpsuit in multiple patterns, it is my favorite piece in my wardrobe at the moment! 

After We left Naples we took a train to Rome. I highly recommend this method of transportation. It was relaxed and enjoyable. Check out what to do in Rome Below:

3. Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain & Villa Borghese   

We took the first day to simply explore. These were the main three points we made it to. We stayed in Piazza del Popolo which was a great location. Nothing was more than a 30 minute walk. We headed off to Piaza Navona (incidentally passing the iconic Spanish steps) where I swooned for beautiful paintings and architecture. On our way back we stopped by the iconic Trevi Fountain. We tossed in coins, made our wishes and quickly escaped the crowds. For a prime photo opportunity, arrive at Trevi before 6 am. If that's too early for you, opt to cut everyone out like I did. 

Our last stop was Villa Borghese. After climbing about 100 stairs, you'll get a full view of the city. Wander into the gardens and bring food for a lovely picnic. The villa is huge and you would need hours to get through all of it. We settled for a spot about 15 minutes in.

We got there by: Walking

Shop my daily outfit:

4. Pantheon, Roman Forum and Colosseum 

These things are so easily done in one day! We walked to all of them because the city is too beautiful to miss. Get your tickets to the Colosseum and Roman Forum in advance, they are available as a combo and you'll be stress free from fake ticket scalpers. This day is a lot of walking if you truly want to explore the Forum so wear comfy shoes!

We got there by: Walking

Shop my daily outfit:

5. Vatican City   

A very, very relaxed day for us. We showed up, wandered the plaza and waited in line to visit Saint Peter's Basilica. The church was impressive and massive. It took a few hours to do all of that. Make sure you arrive in appropriate attire. Clothing must reach below the knees and cover your shoulders. It is also possible to visit the museum and the Sistine Chapel, which Leon and I opted out of. If you choose to do these things, buy your tickets in advance and arrive early! Another cool possibility is the Scavi tour, a highly coveted excursion below the basilica. In order to score a spot, you must contact the Excavations Office at least 90 days in advance of your tour. I'm keeping this in mind for next time!

We got there by: Walking

Shop my daily outfit:

6. Trastevere & Aventine Hill   

We spent our last day wandering around Trastevere, the more bohemian, less touristy side of the city. The streets are windy and covered with vines. The shops are small and welcoming, the restaurants that speckle the streets are all fun and delicious. Take your time to find cute spots and get a little lost in the city's charm. Around sunset we headed over to Aventine Hill, a spot known for its view of the city. As you walk down the park's path you'll see the skyline from above. The magic does not stop there. Keep walking past the park to the dead end. You'll most likely come across a line of people waiting to look through a keyhole. Wait your turn to get the most stunning view: a perfectly framed look at Saint Peter's Basilica down a row of neatly trimmed hedges. The view is famous for a reason, do not miss it!
We got there by: Walking

 Shop my daily outfit:

Places to Eat and Drink

Pastasciutta - Fresh hand made pasta...TO GO!
 Armando Al Pantheon - Potentially our best meal. Opt for the cacio e pepe. Make a reservation in advance!

Giolitti - An old school gelato shop with a million flavors

Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè - Best coffee I have ever had. Hands down.

Freni e Frizioni - The best drinks in Trastevere. The place is hip-happening and there's a buffet!

Pico's Taqueria - I know, why am I putting a Mexican restaurant on this list? Because it was delicious and fun! They will hand out shots to take all together throughout the night. The place is bright and exciting and the food was to die for.

That's it for my Europe trip! As always feel free to ask any and all questions!