Garcia Family's Italian Holiday: Rome, Venice & Hidden Gems

A good buddy came up to us, all fired up about taking his family on a trip they'd never forget. He said the "Garcias"—him, his wife, and their two kids—were about to dive into Italy's ancient beauty and history.

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The Garcias were looking at three to four days in Rome, hitting all the big spots to check off their lifetime list. Then, after Rome had done its bit, they planned to catch the magic of Santorini in Greece for a stretch before looping back to Italy's top. Venice was on the cards for a day, to soak in its singular magic, and then off to Spain they'd go. We put together the Italian stretch for them, making sure it was packed with culture, history, and moments they'd always remember.

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Brief History of Rome
Map of Places to Stay in Rome
Where to Stay in Rome
Map of the Best Things to See in Rome
Best Things to Do in Rome
Essential Rome Travel Tips
Best Guided Tours in Rome
Brief History of Venice
Map of the Best Places to Stay in Venice
Where to Stay in Venice
Map of the Top Places to Visit in Venice
Best Things to Do in Venice
Best Guided Tours in Venice
Essential Venice Travel Tips
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Brief History of Rome

Rome's been around for over 28 centuries. It's ancient, one of Europe's oldest lived-in spots. Romulus and Remus kicked things off in 753 BC, so the myth goes. Early on, Latins, Etruscans, and Sabines mixed up, setting Rome on its path. It became the big boss: first the Roman Kingdom, then the Republic, and finally, the Empire. They called it the "Eternal City" for a reason. It was the world's first mega-city, a place of power, culture, and art.

509 BC kicks off the Roman Republic. Rome expands, dominating the Mediterranean. The Punic Wars? A slugfest with Carthage. This era? Big gains in land and law. Roman law shapes today's world. Next, the Empire era. More land grabs, iconic buildings, and Roman culture spreads. Europe, North Africa, the Middle East — Romanized.

After 476 AD, Rome tanked but bounced back as the Vatican's home turf. The Middle Ages had the Popes running the show, making Rome the Papal States' HQ until Italy snapped it up in 1870. Come the Renaissance and Baroque, Rome got its groove back as a culture and art powerhouse, all thanks to the Popes' ambitions.

Napoleon grabbed Rome. In WWII, Rome dodged bombs by declaring itself open. After the war, it turned capital. Now, it's a heavyweight city. It's got history, culture, and jaw-dropping buildings. Rome's the boss of Italy. It draws crowds. They come for old structures, the Vatican, and a deep dive into art and faith.

Rome's old heart is UNESCO's pick. It shows the city's deep past and its global impact. Rome shapes the world, even now. It's home to UN agencies and big companies. This makes Rome a global player.

Map of Places to Stay in Rome

Where to Stay in Rome

Need a Rome spot? Hit Booking.com. Snag deals. Compare prices. Find the spot. See real photos, reviews. Straightforward.

Also, be sure to check out these cool spots and hotels in Rome. We stayed in some. Others, Italian travelers or friends praised.

Luxury Hotels

Umiltà 36 - This 5-star hotel nails it. Luxurious? Check. Central? Right by Trevi Fountain and Piazza Venezia. It packs a fitness center, restaurant, and bar. You're set for a memorable trip.

Hotel Caravita - This hotel sits close to big draws. It serves up comfy, stylish digs. High scores echo happy guest vibes. Facilities and service? Top-notch.

NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali - Guests love this place. Stellar service. Prime spot near Rome's old stones. Promises luxury mixed with old-world cool.

Standard Hotels

c-hotels Club House Roma - In Rome's Aurelio, this hotel hits the mark. It blends comfort with ease. Facilities and service shine, ratings confirm.

Terrace Pantheon Relais - A stone's throw from the Pantheon, this place stands out. Stylish rooms, a view from the terrace. Modern, helpful - it scores big.

HT6 Hotel Roma - Tucked in the Roman Ghetto, this spot has style. Parquet floors, free WiFi. Location's top-notch, experience gets raves.

Economy Hotels

Hotel Stadler 2 - This hotel, near Roma Termini Station, offers rooms with bathrooms. It's known for friendly service and cleanliness. A good pick for those watching their budget.

Rossi Hotel - In Rome's heart, this hotel shines with spotless rooms and comfy beds. It's a great deal for visitors.

Hotel Damaso - Hotel Damaso sits near Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori. Guests love the breakfast. The location is prime. You can walk easily to Rome's top sights. Staying here means comfort.

Map of the Best Things to See in Rome

Best Things to Do in Rome

If you hit Rome like the Garcias, dive into these killer sights and activities:

The Colosseum

The Colosseum stands as ancient Rome's engineering triumph. It held 80,000 souls, eager for gladiator battles. Walking in, you rewind to Rome at its peak.

The Pantheon

The Pantheon flaunts Rome's architectural genius with its vast dome and open sky. Initially a home for gods, now it's a church. The light streaming through its oculus soothes the spirit.

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are brimming with jaw-dropping art. History's treasures are packed inside. Yet, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment steal the show. They touch something deep within. Art lovers, it's a must-see.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica looms over Rome. It's a giant among churches. People flock there, right over St. Peter's bones. Inside, Michelangelo's Pietà and the massive dome dominate.

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum was once the center. Now, just old stones and bits of history remain. It was where decisions were made, markets buzzed, and politics brewed.

The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain towers in Rome's waters, all baroque splendor. Legend says, toss a coin, return to Rome. Light dances on the water, sculptures mesmerize. Magic carved in stone.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona stands proud, decked out in baroque. Its fountains, especially Bernini's, grab you. It's alive, buzzing. You're in Rome's heart here, eating, enjoying gelato.

The Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps climb high, 135 steps from bottom to top. They connect Piazza di Spagna to a church. More than steps, it's a meeting spot. People gather, enjoying the view.

Villa Borghese

Borghese Gallery hides in Villa Borghese, packed with art and sculptures. Its gardens are huge, beautiful, like art themselves. It's where art meets nature.

The Appian Way

The Appian Way cuts through history. It was Rome's early superhighway, vital for strategy, now flanked by old tombs and ruins. Strolling here, you dodge Rome's chaos and peek into the empire's power.

The Catacombs of Rome

Rome hides its dead below. The catacombs, old and sprawling, sit under the city. San Callisto and San Sebastiano lead the pack, haunting the Appian Way. These tunnels pull back the curtain on Christian burials, early style. Walls here talk through frescoes, sculptures, and words. They give a raw look at Rome's ancient faith and culture.

Nero's Golden House (Domus Aurea)

Nero went big, splashing gold all over his Roman pad, the Domus Aurea. It vanished under dirt, forgotten for ages. Then, boom, we found it again, a maze of rooms and halls, dripping with ancient art. These digs show off Rome's knack for design and Nero's taste for excess. Now and then, they let people in. You walk through, seeing the bones of imperial splendor, thinking about Nero's wild days.

The Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano

This basilica stacks history like pancakes. Three layers of time: a 12th-century church on top, a 4th-century one below, all perched on Roman and Mithraic ruins. Dig down and it's a trip from pagan rites to Christian prayers, then medieval vibes. The San Clemente basement is a time machine. It shows Rome flipping pages from Mithras to Christ, century by century.

Essential Rome Travel Tips

Visit Sites Early or Late: Hit places like the Spanish Steps early or late. The Pantheon and Vatican? Go before they close.

Embrace the Local Cuisine: Start with coffee and a pastry. Dig into carbonara and cacio e pepe. In winter, go for artichokes.

Mind the Opening Hours: Museums and churches shut for riposo or on certain days. Check times to avoid bummers.

Skip-the-Line Tickets: Buy these tickets for the Colosseum and Vatican. They beat the wait.

Dress Appropriately for Churches: Cover up shoulders and knees. A scarf does the trick.

Take a Food Tour or Cooking Class: It’s a cool way to sample and learn to cook Roman dishes.

Comfortable Footwear: Rome’s streets are tough. Wear shoes that can handle it. Ditch the heels.

Stay Hydrated with Free Water: Bring a bottle. Fill up at Rome’s free fountains.

Explore Offbeat Attractions: Visit places like Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. Less crowded, more chill.

Be Mindful of Safety: Secure your stuff. Use hotel safes. Maybe get theft insurance. Learn some Italian.

Avoid Taxis from the Airport: Don’t get ripped off. Opt for shuttles or shared rides.

Best Guided Tours in Rome

Guided tours, led by those who know Rome's streets like their own pockets, stand out as the finest route to discover the city's gems. We'll share some top picks:

I mentioned before, the Garcias, after soaking in the sun in Santorini, are setting their sights on Italy's north. Venice is their next stop. Here's Venice at its best - sights to see, top tours, and places to stay:

Brief History of Venice

Venice, Italy, has a loaded history. Canals cut through the city like veins. It started in the 5th century. Built on 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon, the Adriatic Sea its backyard. This setup turned Venice into a major maritime force. It became a hub for trade and culture in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Venice started as a hideout. People ran there in the 6th century, dodging Lombard invaders. Chaos reigned, but Venice clung to a thread of order under Byzantine rule. Its isolated spot and clever locals bought it some freedom. In 727, they picked their first doge. That move was Venice saying it was its own boss now. And it was just getting started.

Venice rose by playing it smart and rich. By medieval times, it ruled trade and sea, its fate tied to Crusades and Mediterranean politics. "La Serenissima" shone with wealth, power, and culture. It owned lands far into what's now Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus. Its shipbuilding game was top-notch, keeping it on top at sea.

Venice ran its show differently. They picked a Doge for life, a front man really. Behind him, rich merchants and nobles pulled the strings. This gang of elites steered Venice through the rough seas of old-timey politics and money troubles. Their grip kept Venice rich and on its own two feet for a thousand years.

Venice hit a rough patch when the Atlantic opened up. New powers rose, challenging its trade dominance. Yet, Venice's spirit as a maritime giant and cultural hub lives on. Its architecture, art, and canal-lined streets echo a history of ambition and innovation. It's where East meets West. Even today, Venice stands out for its history, art, and timeless beauty. It's a living proof of its rich past.

Map of the Best Places to Stay in Venice

Where to Stay in Venice

Remember to check out these remarkable spots and hotels in Venice. We've stayed in a few, loved every moment. The rest come praised by travelers and friends from Italy: