Rome may be the Eternal City, but sadly, my diary and energy levels are not eternal.
With a baby on the way, I suddenly felt the ticking of a very different kind of clock – so when a last minute holiday for a September getaway appeared in the calendar, I jumped.
Just ten days before departure, I booked a long weekend in Rome!
Three days, 5 months pregnant, and with a personal challenge to cram as much la dolce vita in as humanly (and comfortably) possible.
After all, if Pope Gregory could reinvent time itself in Rome back in 1582 with the Gregorian calendar, then surely I could bend the hours a little too.
And so began my whirlwind Roman adventure: a Jet2 CityBreak that whisked me from London Stansted to the cobbled piazzas of Italy’s capital, with sunshine, history, and food so good I almost forgot I couldn’t order the prosecco… or eat the tiramisu!
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Holiday Extras, Jet2 Flights & Arrival: London Stansted to Rome
Booking a city break to Rome with Jet2holidays meant everything was seamless thanks their signature stress-free planning style!
My package included flights to Rome with Jet2, departing from London Stansted Airport on an early morning service.
Thankfully, the fantastic Meet and Greet parking service and overnight stay at Hampton Hilton Hotel at Stansted I enjoyed the night before, care of Holiday Extras, made the early flight a breeze.
Goodbye 2am wake up, all I had to do was get up half an hour before, and then breeze up to the check-in desk just a 5 minute walk from the hotel.
The flight from London Stansted airport itself was a great advert for why I really rate Jet2 – friendly cabin crew, generous luggage allowance (pregnancy pillow-friendly!) and more legroom than expected – all a real blessing with my growing bump.
In just over two hours, I was touching down at Rome Fiumicino Airport, from where I quickly hopped on the Leonardo Express train.
Just 30 minutes and 14€ later and I was in central, sunny Rome.
Rome Accommodation Choice: Room Mate Collection Mia
Home for the next three nights was the 4-star Room Mate Collection Mia.
Forget any mental image of heavy drapes, Renaissance furniture, or faux-rustic “Italian” styling – this was bold, modern, and chic.
Think designer pops of colour, clean lines, and a rooftop terrace that made me audibly gasp with its Colosseum views – one of those pinch-me travel moments.
Breakfast was another highlight.
Forget the usual slim Italian offering of sweet cornetto and cappuccino, Rome’s Room Mate boasted all the fresh, healthy options – so appreciated when you’re not exactly living on carbonara and Chianti!
Smoothies, yoghurt, granola, and fruit, alongside pastries and eggs – a perfect start to those busy sightseeing days.
But above all, the location was unbeatable.
Just a short stroll to Rome’s most famous monument and nearby metro station, with my schedule and bulging bump, being able to walk out the door and be there was a game changer in this busy city.
3 Day Rome Itinerary
Rome is vast, layered, and overwhelming – a city where every street corner seems to hide another slice of history.
With only three days, I had to be strategic.
Guided tours were my secret weapon – time saving, queue-skipping, and with the exact depth of knowledge I want from a city with such cultural gravitas.
Here’s how it all unfolded…
Day 1: The Colosseum & Ancient Rome
There’s no better way to start a long Roman weekend than with its most iconic landmark.
I booked the Colosseum tour with Walks – and honestly, it was one of the best travel decisions I’ve made.
Walks specialise in small-group tours, which meant we weren’t herded around like cattle and, with skip-the-line access, we glided past the endless queues… in the heat, this alone was priceless.
Our guide was an archaeologist, and having that professional insight added a whole new dimension to what we were witnessing; plus the handy audio headsets meant I could snap those social media shots without losing the commentary thread too.
Beyond the Colosseum, the tour also included the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Wandering the ruins, I found myself picturing toga-clad Romans gossiping in marble-lined halls.
And yet, even with all the grandeur, I was grateful for my trainers – comfort really matters when you’re pregnant and tackling uneven ancient stones – take note!
The day finished up with a delicious dinner at local spot Celio Bistrot where the google translated Potato Flan turned into an unexpected culinary highlight of the trip.
Day 2: Vatican City & Food Tour
Morning: The Vatican
The next day was dedicated to the smallest country in the world – the Vatican City.
Again, I visited with Walks on their Complete Vatican Tour, which included the museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
When it comes to efficiency, ticking off all the big players in a 4 hour sweep is the one!
Plus, this tour was a masterclass in pacing and information.
Our published historian guide led us through endless galleries, bringing dusty statues to life with stories of scandal and artistry.
The Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s ceiling, was as moving as expected, but I was just as wowed by St. Peter’s Basilica.
Standing in front of the altar, I felt utterly dwarfed by its scale and slightly queasy at its grandeur.
Again the skip-the-line entry, included as part of the tour, was a godsend.
The Vatican queues are notorious, and with September sun blazing down, I was extremely grateful not to stand in them.
Evening: The Food Tour in Prati
After all that culture, it was time for indulgence.
I joined a food tour with the Roman Food Tour in a local area called Prati, which despite not being far from the Vatican is a spot tourists often miss.
For me, the joy of a food tour is always the local intel – spots you’d never stumble across – and together with the personal stories and (under usual circumstances) the free-flowing wine, they make for a great city break activity.
On this occasion, I was not an easy customer, thanks to my booze-free, pasteurised cheese only, vegetarian status, but the tour guide sorted it perfectly.
A major standout of the tour was Bonci Pizza – famous for its creative toppings, fluffy crust, and celebrity status among Romans. I tried combinations I’d never think of at home, and every bite was incredible.
But the real treasure was Paciotti Deli.
Family-run, lined with hanging prosciuttos and wheels of cheese, it felt timeless.
The owners welcomed us like old friends, slicing mozzarella, dishing out olives and sharing their passion. Being in that space, surrounded by shelves of olive oil and truffles, I felt I’d truly been let in on a Roman secret.
Day 3: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon & Trastevere Magic
For my final day, I went full “greatest hits” mode and, without a tour booked, treated myself to a slightly lazier morning too.
While not great for beating the crowds, it did allow me to soak in that breakfast terrace view at Room Mate Collection Mia for a little longer!
Morning: Spanish Steps & Trevi Fountain
If you do want great, photo-bomber-free. pictures however, start early!
Up until 8am, the Spanish Steps are almost serene, perfect for photos before the crowds arrive.
The same goes for the Trevi Fountain – toss your coin before the tourist coaches roll in.
Both landmarks are free to visit, but timing makes all the difference.
Sadly I missed the alarm, but even around 11am they were still bearable… just!
Afternoon: The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of Rome’s oldest buildings – still in use with nearly 2,000 years of history under that perfect dome.
The open oculus in the roof floods the marble interior with light, a striking symbol of Roman ingenuity.
Entry tickets cost 5€ and again, mornings are quieter.
Around midday is a great time to see the ingenuity of the oculus at its best, which is just what I did.
To fully understand and appreciate this, I also opted for an 15€ audio guide, which included my entry ticket and really helped put the Pantheon in perspective.
Evening: Trastevere
Crossing the Tiber in the late afternoon, I decided to wrap up Rome by exploring the district of Trastevere.
Once a working-class district, now a bohemian maze of cobbled alleys, ivy-draped houses, and buzzing piazzas – I knew it was going to be my kinda place.
Mercifully, it also feels more relaxed than central Rome, with fewer cars and a slower pace.
Full to the brim from a long weekend of over-eating, I stuck to a simpler dinner from the highly recommended, Trapizzino.
Part street food, part casual eatery, this cute spot serves the genius invention of the same name – a pizza pocket stuffed with traditional Roman dishes.
Portable, affordable, and utterly delicious, there was some amazing vegetarian options too, which I enjoyed sat outside in the sunshine as the evening queues started to form around me.
For dessert, it had to be Otaleg – gelato spelled backwards.
I’d seen a local with a branded tub who seemed to know what they were doing, so I followed my nose to discover this delightful flavour house.
Inventive, creamy, and seriously addictive, if you only head to one gelato spot in Rome, make it this one!
Gelato in hand, I then wandered to find the nearby Dog Sighs Street Art piece, splashes of creative eye motifs brightening an old wall in a hidden corner.
Had I still been looking for a full dinner that evening, I would have headed to nearby Come ‘na Vorta Osteria Pasta e Vino.
Rustic, lively, and full of locals – this is exactly the kind of trattoria you’d want to round off your Rome weekender – just sorry I’d already reached your limit!
Practical Tips for Rome Trips
- Getting Around: Rome’s public transport is cheap and easy. Metro tickets cost just €1.50 for 100 minutes, and are valid on buses and trams too. I used the metro for longer hops, but honestly, Rome is best on foot – just wear good shoes.
- Airport Transfers: The Leonardo Express train is the fastest into the city. Buses are cheaper at just 6€ if you don’t mind a longer ride.
- Safety: As a solo-wandering, visibly pregnant woman, I felt safe. Petty theft (pickpockets) is the main concern, so keep bags zipped and wallets in front pockets.
- When to Visit: September was perfect – warm but not sweltering, and the city less busy with children back at school. Spring is another sweet spot, while June through August can be uncomfortably hot and busy.
- Pace Yourself: Rome is intense. Build in café breaks, sit in piazzas, and don’t feel you must see everything. Even in three days, the Eternal City can be savoured.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
- Travel Money: Rome uses the Euro.I always travel with my Wise Card, which makes spending abroad cheaper with real exchange rates and no sneaky transaction or ATM fees.
- eSIM: I recommend Holafly. Get 5% off with my exclusive discount code: BIGWORLDSMALLPOCKETS.
- Luggage Storage: Store luggage for the day, or longer, for less with LuggageHero.
PIN IT TO PINTEREST!
A long weekend in Rome is a challenge – especially when you’re five months pregnant and determined to see it all!
But with a Jet2 CityBreak, a Holiday Extras smooth start, a comfy base near the Colosseum, and the magic of a few guided tours, it turned out to be one of my most memorable city escapes.
Rome really is eternal.
No matter how little time you have, it leaves you wanting more – and promising yourself you’ll return.
Elements of this trip were gifted by Holiday Extras, Walks Tours and Roman Food Tours but, as always, all views are my own.
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