When in Rome

Rome is full. Full of ginormous buildings, full of Selfie-sticks, full of human beings.
One of my first thoughts was ‘These Romans had too much money’.
There were so many antique and weather - beaten buildings in such a good condition if you remember how long they lasted that I do believe that the Romans were ahead of the competition two-thousand years before us. Nowadays ugly white blocks are being built which can be used for about fifty years before it is in danger of collapsing. Those architects should have a look at the colosseum.

Now, here's a list of places to visit when you're in Rome:

• The Colosseum. Obviously. 
  
• The Foro Romano/Forum Romanum.  Also quite obvious but I warn you it is a huge area, so plan in a lot of time. But there are many sitting accommodations (as in big comfy stones). You get the Forum Romanum and the Colosseum in a combi-ticket and they're quite close, so better do both of those things on one day. 
• The Pantheon. A very nice building with a wonderful light and the entry is free.
• The St. Peter's Basilica. The queue is very, very long but it moves quite quickly and it's absolutely worth it. We waited about 45 minutes. It is so so so so huge and gold and intimidating and I really think that money could have been used for much better things but that's the Catholic church for you. Remember, not to take any sharp objects as there is a security check in front of the basilica. Plus, entry's free again. And if you're up to climbing lots of stairs and pay extra money you can go right up to the top of the basilica to the copula. The view is absolutely stunning. 

• The Musei Capitolini. Hm. There were a LOT of paintings of LOTS of famous artists and at one point it started to become a little bit tiring. 
• The Spanish Steps. Very nice but unfortunately they were closed off.
• The Via del Corso. The BEST shopping street. I found two new shops were I spent lots of money: doubleagent and Sophie Charlotte. SO amazing.
• The Piazza Navona. A very picturesque piazza with three fountains.
• St. Angelo Castle. Again, lots of paintings and a nice view. 

Forum Romanum

When we went: October - a very good time, on a few days a bit rainy and grey but the temperatures were perfect at around twenty degrees.

by: aeroplane - easyjet - flight was fine

accommodation: The Romoli Hotel - nothing luxurious but fine. Rooms were fine, food was fine and location was fine too. Five minutes to the next bus stop and about ten to fifteen minutes to the metro stop.

length: six nights - I think it was a wee bit too long. There comes a point where you just can't take it in anymore because it's too much. That happened to me at the end a bit.

Tips:

1. Learn a few words before you go. It'll help you so much and people will like you for trying at least.
2. If you're staying for a few days at least, get the Roma Pass. Transportation tickets are included and you can save a lot of money. Check if the things that you want to do are actually included in this Pass.
3. Bring good walking shoes! If you're up to seeing a lot then your feet will be awfully sore anyhow but you can keep the pain to a minimum.
4. Don't give in to the temptation of buying a Selfie stick. You don't need one. Really. 
5. If you're getting stamps for your postcards: Be careful not to get ones by Friendpost. You'll probably won't find any letterboxes that send them and hotels won't send them either.
6. Find a balance between planning your stay and enjoying it. Personally, I love planning things but it is also wonderful just to stroll through the city and soak it all in.

all in all, it was a wonderful holiday and somewhere where you can come back to after a while! (Tbh, I am going back again next year with my latin course which is unfortunate but better than staying at home^^ and I'll see even more and update this post^^)

Au revoir, little biscuits (*cheering on a gladiator*)