First Day In Rome

This is post 13 of our “Greek Isles Cruise and Rome Adventure” series. After returning to port in Civitavecchia, we made our way into the city and began exploring Rome on foot. This first day in Rome focuses less on schedules and tours and more on easing into the city, walking its historic streets, visiting iconic landmarks, and simply taking in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere. If you haven’t read previous posts in this series, you can start from the beginning here.

Back Where We Started

It felt a little strange waking up and realizing we were right where we started.

Our ship pulled into Civitavecchia early and docked in the same spot as a week earlier. Stepping onto our balcony, the view was unchanged. For a moment, it felt like we never left.

From Port to City

A couple of days before, Demi had gone online and reserved a car to pick us up at the port and take us into Rome for our four-day stay. Without a set disembarkation time, we took our time, enjoying a little extra in-room relaxation. When the driver texted that he had arrived, we quickly packed up and headed down to meet him, ready to start our city adventure.

The pickup zone swarmed with people and honking cars. It took several minutes to spot our driver. I watched over the luggage while Demi hunted him down. Once we connected, everything calmed. The drive from the port to Rome was smooth and uneventful.

Checking In: Hotel Nazionale

We had booked a room at the Hotel Nazionale after searching for something centrally located and within walking distance of Rome’s main attractions. Walking was important to us; we wanted to experience the city at street level, wander a bit, maybe get lost once or twice.

Despite Rome’s very crowded backstreets, our driver managed to drop us right at the hotel entrance. Knowing some guests had to walk a block from what we read online, we felt relieved and lucky, a small but memorable win as we started our stay. Being dropped off a block or so from the hotel wouldn’t usually matter for us, but we had luggage. During our stay, we were dropped off a block or so away and had no issues with it. Besides, we would get dropped off at our favorite gelato place. More on that in a future post!

Walking into the hotel was like stepping into another era. The lobby exuded vintage, old-world elegance, its patina hinting at decades of passing travelers. Everyone, from the bellhop to the front desk gentleman, treated us with sincere warmth and professionalism. The entire scene evoked the Continental Hotel from the John Wick movies. We instantly knew we’d chosen well.

Our room wasn’t quite ready, but within half an hour, we were settled in. The room itself was beautifully appointed. Classic, comfortable, and again, very much old-world in feel. The bathroom, on the other hand, was modern and spotless. It was a nice balance.

First Steps Into Rome

After unpacking and getting our bearings, we headed out to explore.

Almost immediately, the city registered on a sensory level. The buildings seemed to tell stories, facades worn smooth by time, layered with a patina that revealed a city lived in, not merely preserved. Nothing felt new or polished. That was the appeal.

The Pantheon and the Pulse of the City

Our first stop was the Pantheon, which was an easy walk. Navigating the streets was surprisingly straightforward, and before long, we were standing in front of it. What struck me immediately was the scale, especially the height, and those massive front doors. The area was lively, with crowds of people milling about and a few musicians playing nearby.

Just as striking as the sights were the sounds: conversations in many languages, laughter, music, and the clicks of cameras as people paused to take it all in. It was crowded, but energetic rather than overwhelming.

We didn’t have tickets or plans to tour inside. Instead, on our first day in Rome, we strolled the streets, pausing often to take in the details, the sounds, and our initial impressions of the city.

Wandering Without a Plan

From there, we decided to find some snacks, grab a bite, and head back to the hotel to rest a bit. On the way to a CO-OP store we had found online, we stumbled into a basilica and stepped inside. Like so many churches in Rome, it was stunning—ornate, peaceful, and filled with intricate detail. Each one somehow manages to outdo the last.

Along the way, we also came across a shop selling hand-crafted Murano glass—glass made on the Venetian island of Murano. The pieces were beautiful, from jewelry to glasses to chandeliers. Demi ended up buying some jewelry.

An Evening Walk to Trevi

Once rested and recharged with snacks, we set out again. This time, our path led us toward the Trevi Fountain. The walk was pleasant. Narrow streets lined with restaurants and outdoor seating. Catching hints of the smell of food drifting from the side streets: fresh bread, espresso, and pasta sauce. Even without stopping, it was impossible not to be drawn in.

We did notice that some restaurants—not most, but a few—had someone standing outside trying to encourage people to come in. It was easy enough to handle: a polite “no grazie” and you keep moving. No pressure, no awkwardness.

Crowds, Coins, and a Quick Selfie

We weren’t expecting the size of the crowd at the Trevi Fountain, even at 6:00 p.m. But considering that Rome sees over 20 million visitors a year—and that as many as 10,000 to 12,000 people visit the fountain daily—it made sense. A queuing system was in place to manage the crowd, and the line stretched far out of sight.

We didn’t feel the need to wait just to toss a coin or get a perfectly clear selfie. Still, I did want a decent photo. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowd, scanning for a break. When a brief opening appeared, I quickly took a photo with no one in front of the fountain. I couldn’t get the water in the shot without the crowd of people, only the sculptures. We snapped a quick selfie for posterity and then continued on our way.

Directly across from the fountain is the Church of Saints Vincenzo and Anastasio, and we took the opportunity to step inside. Once again, it was beautiful, richly decorated, and full of history. Every church seems to rival the next, and it’s impossible not to feel the weight of centuries all around you.

The Spanish Steps and Taking It In

We then made our way to the Spanish Steps. The GPS worked flawlessly, guiding us through winding streets filled with the buzz of locals and tourists. We paused often, watching street performers, admiring quaint balconies, and soaking in the energy. At one point, Demi put her hand on my shoulder,  and we looked at each other and laughed, amazed, saying, “We’re in Rome. I can’t believe it.”

The Spanish Steps,135 in total, lead from the Piazza di Spagna up to the Trinità dei Monti church. We found an open spot and sat for a while. Between the early wake-up on the ship and all the walking, we were starting to feel it. We rested, watched the steady flow of people, talked about the day, and began thinking about what might come next.

With no tours scheduled for the following day, it felt freeing. We decided to head in the general direction of the Vatican—where we had a tour planned later in the week—just to see what was along the way and make it as far as the Tiber River.

Calling It a Day

After dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants, we returned to the hotel for the evening, tired, content, and aware that Rome was no longer just a collection of landmarks, but a place full of sound, texture, and motion.

Thanks for following along! Our next entry continues with our second day in Rome. We walk through the city of Rome, making our way to the Tiber River, stopping along the way to take in the sights.

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