[trip style = urban]
When more than 30 million people visit Rome per year—aka, the entire population of Canada—you don't mess around with tourist attractions in the Eternal City.
Knowing this, for math and sanity reasons, I focused on two travel- and time-saving tricks when I worked in partnership with Expedia Local Expert to tour Italy's capital this summer. The result rendered a VIP experience ranging from trip style = luxe line-skipping to a trip style = foodie pasta soirée {all for the price of a few pints of gelato}.
Beyond the two essential tips I gleaned from sightseeing in the heat of high season {con't below}, don't miss this VIDEO Mr. Trip Styler shot of me roaming Rome!
Pre-book activities
From this point forward, I will always pre-book activities. In the past, I thought you could only get special access to sights in the "Wonders of the World" category if you booked a pre-packaged tour, or knew a guy who knows a gal, or spent the equivalent of a yacht on travel. I didn't think you could access a Rolodex of quality tours or jump-the-line activities for the cost of a few gelatos. Until Rome. Until I skipped three-hour lines. Until I figured out that my doctoral-candidate guide could paint a picture so vivid it was like I was a fly on the wall in Rome's gladiator days. Until I made pasta in an alfresco kitchen five storeys above the city.
Trip Styler Tip: Whether you're traveling to Rome or another major coordinate, save the headache of standing in line and pre-book your sightseeing activities {including your airport transfer} before you travel.
Focus on Skip the line | VIP | Small group tours
If and when you pre-book tours—even from your hotel room the night before—focus on descriptors such as VIP, skip the line, or small group, which will separate you from the masses, save time and instantly upgrade your experience.
////////////////////////////////////////////
Links to the specific tours I reference in the video above.
Open-air bus tour {$12 usd}
Why: As a first-impression means of connecting the ancient city's historical dots.
Walks of Italy VIP Caesar’s Palace and Colosseum tour {$87 usd}
Why: Who wouldn't want a tour from a doctoral candidate whose main focus is Ancient Rome?
Walks of Italy Small-Group Pasta-Making Class {$71 usd}
Why: Learn the art of al dente from a rooftop overlooking Rome {with prosecco!}. This was such a highlight, expect more deets in the coming weeks.
Skip-the-Line St. Peter’s Basilica tour with Hotel Pickup {$36 usd}
Why: Skip the three-hour line and learn about Italy's largest church from Vatican-approved guide.
PS - In case you want more specifics on each tour, see my latest article for the Expedia Viewfinder Travel Blog.
[photos via @tripstyler, video in partnership with Expedia Local Expert]