One Last Day to Explore: Luggage Down, Curiosity Up
On my third and final day in Rome, it was time to check out. My hotel kindly held my luggage, since my next leg would be a late-night sleeper train to Sicily. I still had ground to cover and more Roman wonders to chase down.
After two days of walking miles across the city, I caved and decided to finally take the metro. For experience’s sake, but also to save my legs from mutiny. The station wasn’t far from the hotel, and I figured I’d conserve just enough energy for one last hurrah.
Of course, in true Italian train fashion, I missed my stop. Announcements were either inaudible or lost to the screeching wheels and crowd chatter. I overshot by two stops. But hey—part of the adventure, right?
Trevi Fountain: A Coin Toss and a (Crowded) Tradition
I made my way to the Trevi Fountain, fully expecting crowds—and they delivered. I squeezed my way to the front with two coins in hand, ready for the famous toss over my left shoulder using my right hand.
Later I found out I was one coin short: the tradition goes that one coin means a return to Rome, two coins mean you’ll fall in love with an Italian, and three? You marry that Italian. Did it come true? I haven’t met or married an Italian (not looking!), but I did return to Italy the next year. If Italian cities were men, then yes—I’ve fallen in love over and over.
Little-known fact: the coins are collected twice a week and donated to charity.
Quick Tip: Want a quieter view of the Trevi? Head into the Benetton store next to the fountain and go up to the second floor. You get a panoramic (and uncrowded) view. Just be kind and buy something—I always do when I find a Benetton on my travels, because colours!
The Instituto Nazionale per la Grafica: Creativity Behind the Crowds
Just behind Trevi is a gem many miss: the Instituto Nazionale per la Grafica (National Institute for Graphics). A calm sanctuary away from the chaos outside, it holds a collection of beautiful exhibits—everything from traditional printmaking techniques to modern graphic design.
Intricate etchings, detailed works, and behind-the-scenes displays of tools and methods left me floored. When I visited, the exhibits only occupied one floor, so I’m unsure if there’s typically more to explore on other days—but what I did see was impressive. It felt like a space tailor-made for creatives in need of visual inspiration. Quiet, offbeat, and totally free.
Galleria Sciarra: The Art Nouveau Secret in Plain Sight
Another nearby secret: Galleria Sciarra. This Art Nouveau courtyard is tucked inside an office building and doubles as a public passageway. I stopped to admire its high vaulted ceiling, frescoed walls, and airy glass-and-iron roof.
It’s small, quiet, and so easy to miss unless you look up. A few curious passersby noticed me snapping photos, looked up, gasped, and quickly joined me with their phones. That’s the joy of travel—finding the beauty hiding above your head.
Built in the late 19th century, the frescoes by Giuseppe Cellini celebrate feminine virtues like Modesty, Strength, and Fidelity. Add it to your list if you’re into architectural oddities or quiet pockets of wonder.
Sant’Ignazio di Loyola: One Fresco, One Mirror, One Euro
Of all the churches I’d seen so far, Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola was the one that left the deepest impression. It’s gone viral on social media, and for good reason.
Why? One word: mirror. Placed at the center of the nave, it lets you view Andrea Pozzo’s illusionistic ceiling fresco without craning your neck. Drop in one euro and the mirror unfrosts and illuminates the ceiling above. Magic.
You get time to fully absorb the fresco, which depicts the heavens opening, angels rising, and Pozzo flexing his mastery of perspective. I waited my turn, took it all in, then explored the rest of the church with renewed awe.
Mouth of Truth and Aventine Hill: Rome’s Legendary Sights
My final walking route was ambitious: Google said 30 minutes, but my aching legs disagreed. Along the way, I passed Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth), the legendary stone face said to bite off the hands of liars.
Made famous by Roman Holiday (and Only You, for my fellow rom-com fans), the line was long, so I grabbed a mini magnet version in the gift shop and carried on.
The Aventine Keyhole: Framed Perfection
Uphill and determined, I climbed to Aventine Hill to visit the famous Aventine Keyhole at Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta. A queue had already formed, but there was a guitarist nearby making the wait feel almost cinematic.
When it was my turn, I peeked through the tiny keyhole. Perfectly framed within it: the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, aligning three territories—Italy, the Vatican, and the Sovereign Order of Malta. One glance, one photo, and you’re done. But it’s worth every step.
Orange Garden and a Sky Full of Starlings
My final stop was Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden). The scent of citrus hit me before I even entered. The park is peaceful, with lots of benches, but I headed straight to the lookout point.
The view? Wide and open, though the sky was overcast that day, casting a soft grey hue over the city. I ended up spending quite a bit of time resting here—just sitting and soaking it all in. The sound of trees rustling in the breeze, combined with a nearby guitarist busking softly in the background, created the perfect atmosphere to unwind.
As I walked back, I passed the Colosseum from the back—an impressive sight even after several days in the city. I had no intention of entering it; simply admiring it in passing over the past few days was enough for me.
While walking back to the hotel, I witnessed a miracle: my first murmuration of starlings. I stood there, mesmerized, as they floated across the sky in perfect motion. No filter, no performance—just nature showing off.
I tried chasing it with my camera, heart full, legs sore, and soul satisfied.
What a way to end my time in Rome.
Final Thoughts: Not Goodbye, Just See You Later
Three days wasn’t nearly enough, but it was a nice introduction to the Eternal City. I came for landmarks and pasta, but it was the quiet corners, unexpected details, and the feeling of being present that made it unforgettable.
With my heart full and my bags retrieved, I boarded my night train to Sicily. Rome had given me everything I didn’t know I needed—and just enough to make sure I come back.
Stay tuned for more from my journey through Sicily. In the meantime, you can read about how I got there in this article about my unforgettable sleeper train experience.
If you missed the rest of my Roman adventure, catch up on Day 1 here and Day 2 here.
Plan Your Own Final Day in Rome
Trevi Fountain
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/TQfG5QUNur72
Early morning or late night = best views. Toss 3 coins if you’re feeling lucky.
Benetton Store (Trevi Viewpoint)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/jwvYeQwqqeYTV9q59
Second floor gives an elevated view of the fountain. Be nice—buy something.
Instituto Nazionale per la Grafica
Info: https://www.grafica.beniculturali.it/
Quiet design museum behind Trevi. Free entry.
Galleria Sciarra
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/b5mWhMoUwPb9oeb88
Hidden Art Nouveau courtyard. Look up.
Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola
Info: https://www.romeartlover.it/Vasi73.htm
Don’t forget a 1 euro coin for the mirror.
Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/jb8TPhkyoGdx1REq6
Skip the line? Grab a magnet.
Aventine Keyhole
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ftEbknjq7NvGdmuS9
Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LbiuEKMABR3Yw4Ck8
Scenic viewpoint. Smells like citrus.
Flush Toilet Finder & Map App
Website: https://www.flush.toiletmap.org/
Rome has public toilets. This app helps you find them.