(Jumpy or glitchy? Your connection might be too slow for high definition, try this version instead…)

WHERE WE VISITED
All the major monuments like the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Forum, Vatican City, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona and more are so easily found you don’t need us to tell you where they are. Just get a map from your hotel or the tourism office and start galavanting.

Some of the places we visited you may not find in a Rome guidebook however were: the Giolliti gelato shop, Porta Maggiore, the Vittorio Markets, &  Sirni Pelletteria.

Our awesome guides were Katie Parla — historian and sommelier and expert Rome guide — as well as Jessica Stewart who works for Context Travel. Jessica is an accomplished photographer and also did a lot of the episode shooting for us.

Using the public transit system in Rome is highly recommended. The many buses, trams, trains, and subway lines will get you anywhere you need to go if your feet cannot. Taxis are an option too, (but be prepared for the ride of your life…) and cabs can’t be hailed – you must go to a taxi stand. Getting to the center of Rome by train is very easy and departures are about every half hour. If you’re traveling to other cities in Italy, be sure to check out the rail pass options available, as they can save you a bundle of cash.

RECOMMENDED READING
During the trip, we also met up with the fabulous Christine Cantera, author of Miss Expatria, and keeper of a blog by the same name, who showed us around some of Rome’s major monuments. Unfortunately we hardly got any footage of that(!), so we couldn’t introduce her in the episode, but you should definitely check out her book and blog for inspiration. Her adventures are truly amazing and she’s a captivating writer.

Michelangelo’s Rome featured in the episode is a great destination resource as well as a keepsake for the art-lover. Author Angela K. Nickerson gives insightful background on the prolific artist’s works throughout the city, and gorgeous photography accompany the detailed descriptions of his life and work.

As for a guidebook, there are so many written about Rome it’s difficult to weed through them all, and most will be just fine. Keep in mind that Lonely Planet always puts out a great guide, especially for travelers on a budget.

EPISODE CREDITS
Hosted & Written by: Kim Mance & Katy Quissell
Camerapersons: Jessica Stewart, Kim & Katy
Produced & Edited by: Kim Mance
Motion Graphics: Courtney Hannibal
Technical Advisor: Jim Sanderson
Sound Effects: SoundSnap.com
Galavanting Theme Music: “Straight to Static” by Chris Ballew
Other Music courtesy MusicAlley.com: “Minor Swing” as performed by The WhizBang Snufflers; “Swing That Thing” by The Gas House Gorillas; “See You at the Lights” 1990s; “Don’t Bother” by Ex Norwegian; “Fun ‘n Games” by a pageants end