Rome Was NOT What We Expected — What We Wish We Knew Before Visiting

Rome was NOT what we expected. 🇮🇹 After spending 6 days in Rome on our first trip to Italy, we're sharing what surprised us, what we loved, what we didn't, the mistakes we made, and everything we wish we knew before visiting Rome. Rome is the first stop on our 84-day journey through Europe as full-time travelers, and it definitely gave us a reality check! From getting ripped off by a taxi almost immediately after landing, to figuring out Rome's public transportation, choosing the wrong area to stay, dealing with the heat and crowds, and even getting stopped by police and asked for our passports — we learned A LOT during our first six days. We'll also show you what we thought of some of Rome's biggest attractions, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica — including the climb to the top of the dome. Some lived up to the hype. Some didn't. If you're planning your first trip to Rome, hopefully our experience will help you avoid some of our mistakes and give you a better idea of what Rome is REALLY like before you arrive. 🌎 FOLLOW OUR FULL-TIME TRAVEL JOURNEY We're Chip & Jess from Cleared2Travel. We sold almost everything we owned to travel the world full-time, and we're sharing the good, the bad, what things really cost, what goes wrong and everything we learn along the way. 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE Travel guides, destinations, resources and more: https://www.cleared2travel.com 🇮🇹 BOOK ROME TOURS & EXPERIENCES Looking for Colosseum tours, Vatican tickets, day trips and other things to do in Rome? Book Here: vi.me/rCa5D 📱 STAY CONNECTED WHILE TRAVELING We're using Holafly while traveling internationally so we have data as soon as we arrive and don't have to keep switching eSIMs as we move between destinations. Holafly: https://holafly.sjv.io/n4eOW6 Use promo code CLEAR to save 10%. Our Gear: Main Camera: https://amzn.to/3nWWKa5 Wide Angle Lens: https://amzn.to/3VSPM6Y Telephoto Lens: https://amzn.to/48QuI8M Favorite Overall: https://amzn.to/48eB2Xz Pocket Camera: https://amzn.to/48MVK0Q 360 Camera: https://amzn.to/478DIVz Action Camera: https://amzn.to/46QTZgw Favorite Carry on Suitcase: https://amzn.to/3WqHl2Y Favorite travel Backpack: https://amzn.to/46QUebq Favorite travel Sling/crossbody bag: https://amzn.to/46RpAP5 Favorite Drone: https://amzn.to/46UZNFY Disclosure: Holafly provided us with complimentary service. If you purchase through some of the links in this description, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps support Cleared2Travel and allows us to keep making these videos — thank you! 📍 PLACES & EXPERIENCES FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO • Colosseum • Roman Forum & Palatine Hill • Pantheon • Trevi Fountain • Vatican Museums • Sistine Chapel • St. Peter's Basilica & Dome • Rome's public transportation • Rome restaurants & coffee culture • Courtyard by Marriott Rome Central Park 💡 SOME OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED IN ROME • Staying outside central Rome can save money — but cost you a LOT of time. • Buy major attraction tickets ahead of time. • Rome's buses, Metro and trains get much easier after the first day. • Know the identification requirements while traveling in Italy. • Wear good shoes — Rome's cobblestones are no joke. • Bring a refillable water bottle for Rome's free drinking fountains. • Get to the Trevi Fountain EARLY if you want to beat the crowds. • Don't expect American-style dinner times or restaurant service. • Ask for the bill when you're ready to leave. • Standing at the bar for your coffee can be cheaper than sitting at a table. • And sometimes the best thing to do in Rome is simply wander. 🎥 OUR EUROPE JOURNEY Rome is only the beginning. We're spending 84 days traveling through Europe, including more of Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Malta and more. Subscribe to Cleared2Travel and come along as we figure out full-time travel one destination — and occasionally one mistake — at a time. 👍 If this video helped with your Rome trip, give it a like and let us know in the comments: What surprised YOU most about Rome — and what do you think we got completely wrong? 😂 #Rome #RomeItaly #ItalyTravel #RomeTravel #FullTimeTravel