By Olivia Bennett for Wonders of the World
Early in the morning, I stepped off the ship in Civitavecchia — the true launchpad for Rome. I didn’t expect the morning to be this chilly, and I was very glad I had pre-booked the full-day sightseeing tour on GetYourGuide. A few people tried taking the train into Rome — it took them almost two hours. Moments like this always remind me why it’s worth listening to Victoria.
Our first stop took us straight to the Vatican. Vatican City is not only a pilgrimage site but also home to some of the world’s most breathtaking architectural and artistic treasures: the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and the Sistine Chapel were all waiting to be explored. One day? Absolutely not enough — and I already knew I’d have to return someday.
From here, our route led us to Piazza Navona. Nicola, our tour guide, told us that if you asked any Roman which square is the most beautiful in the city, they would immediately say Piazza Navona. At its center stands the Fountain of the Four Rivers, created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, while the façade of Sant’Agnese was designed by Francesco Borromini. The square itself is unique: long and stadium-shaped, it was once used as the Stadium of Domitian in ancient Rome. And because it’s already November, the square hosts Rome’s oldest Christmas market — a moment where past and present meet perfectly.
Next, we visited the Pantheon, an architectural marvel nearly two thousand years old. As soon as I stepped inside, I looked up at the dome and saw the single opening that lets the light in — the oculus. The dome is the second largest in Italy and one of the great engineering achievements of the Roman era.
A slice of pizza while walking? Absolutely mandatory, because Rome simply doesn’t allow you to stay hungry.
From there, we headed toward the Spanish Steps. In the center of the square stands the Barcaccia Fountain — a beautiful creation by Bernini father and son, shaped like a sinking boat to commemorate the 1598 flooding of the Tiber. Walking up the steps, I stopped for a moment to take in the view, and although I really wanted to visit Victoria’s favorite Roman café, Antico Caffè Greco — the oldest coffeehouse in Italy — we unfortunately didn’t have time this round. Nicola was surprised I even knew about places like this, but for me, coffee is always part of discovering a city. I’ll save it for next time.
A short walk later, we reached the Trevi Fountain, where a controlled entry system was in place. I tossed a coin into the fountain — because in Rome, that’s how you ensure you’ll return — and yes, I’m already planning to come back one day.
The next stop was the Victor Emmanuel II Monument. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to go up to the rooftop terrace — maybe next time, because after tossing that coin at Trevi Fountain, I’ve already secured my return.
The highlight of the day for me was the Colosseum and the Imperial Forum, even though we could only see them from the outside. The Colosseum was built by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty to win the people’s favor. Nearby are the remains of Nero’s former residence.
The Forum area is enormous — even a whole day wouldn’t be enough. Nicola took us up to Via dei Fori Imperiali, where there’s a panoramic view of the Forum. We also saw the statue of Romulus and Remus. A small bronze statue — but a huge moment.
One day in Rome, starting and ending in Civitavecchia, is a challenge — but not impossible. 35,000 steps, historic wonders, food, and coffee — this experience was worth every minute.