A Long Weekend of Vespa Tours, Sunrise at Trevi Fountain, Pasta, and Wandering Ancient Streets

Trip Dates: October 16 – October 19
Goal Budget: $900

There are some cities that feel larger than life before you even arrive, and Rome was absolutely one of them for me.

I had always imagined Rome as this chaotic mix of ancient ruins, espresso bars, Vespas flying down narrow streets, and people sitting outside drinking wine late into the night, and somehow it still exceeded every expectation once I got there.

This trip was built around the idea that you do not need two full weeks in Europe to have an unforgettable experience. I worked a half day Thursday, flew overnight from the U.S., spent one long weekend completely immersed in Rome, and was back home Sunday night preparing for work Monday morning.

And honestly, Rome is the perfect city for that kind of fast-paced trip because almost every corner feels historic, cinematic, or unexpectedly beautiful.

Flights, Budget, and Planning the Trip

One of the biggest reasons this trip worked so well was because Rome is surprisingly manageable as a quick long weekend if you plan carefully.

I flew from the U.S. into Rome with flights originally priced at $425, but because I had a $200 travel credit through my travel credit card, my actual out-of-pocket cost for airfare ended up being only $211. I took the train from the airport directly into the city for $33 roundtrip, stayed in a hostel, and still managed to do tours, sightseeing, amazing food, and nightlife while staying under my original budget goal.

Full Budget Breakdown

Flights: $425 retail price ($211 actual out-of-pocket after travel credit)
Hostel: $134.28
Train airport transfer: $33
Food: $85.62
Vespa tour: $65
Souvenir: $9.36

Total Trip Cost: $752.26 retail value | $538.26 actual out-of-pocket after travel credit

For a full European weekend trip, honestly not bad at all.

Where I Stayed: New Generation Hostel Rome Center

I stayed at New Generation Hostel Rome Center in an all-female dorm room, and the location alone made the entire trip significantly easier.

One of the biggest advantages of this hostel is that you are within walking distance of many of Rome’s major attractions, including the Colosseum, which meant I spent less money and time dealing with transportation and more time actually exploring the city.

The hostel itself felt much more private and organized than I expected from a budget stay in a major European city. The female dorm setup made me feel comfortable as a solo female traveler, and the shared spaces were clean, social, and easy to navigate.

I also appreciated how many other travelers there were doing similar quick Europe trips. It made it very easy to meet people naturally, especially in the evenings before heading out to dinner or bars.

For anyone trying to do Rome affordably without sacrificing location, I honestly thought it was a great option.

Friday: Espresso, Vespas, Vatican City, and Pasta in Rome

After landing in Rome and dropping my bags off at the hostel, I immediately grabbed an espresso because, honestly, there is no better way to start your first morning in Italy.

Then I headed straight into one of the highlights of the entire trip: a Vespa tour around Rome.

And genuinely, if you only splurge on one activity while visiting Rome, I think this should be it.

The tour took us all over the city with a local guide driving us through winding Roman streets while stopping at some of the most iconic viewpoints and landmarks in the city. Riding through Rome on a Vespa somehow makes the city feel even more cinematic than it already does.

We stopped at the Garden of Oranges, which overlooks the city with panoramic rooftop views that honestly looked unreal at sunset. We rode past ancient monuments, hidden streets, and major landmarks before eventually stopping near the Colosseum, where we had time for photos and walking breaks.

One of my favorite parts of the tour was reaching one of the highest viewpoints in Rome and seeing the entire city stretched out below us. The mixture of ancient ruins, church domes, narrow streets, and warm October light made the entire city feel timeless.

The tour eventually ended near Vatican City, which somehow feels completely different from the rest of Rome despite sitting right inside it.

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and has its own government, postal system, citizenship structure, and security force. Citizenship there is not inherited or permanent and is typically granted only through working for the Vatican itself.

Inside the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, the scale of the artwork honestly feels overwhelming. Seeing Michelangelo’s famous ceiling in person is one of those experiences that almost does not feel real after seeing photos of it your entire life.

That night I ended the day at Osteria da Fortunata, which ended up serving some of the best pasta I have ever had. Watching fresh pasta being made directly in front of you while sitting in the middle of Rome somehow makes the entire experience feel even more authentic.

Saturday: Sunrise at Trevi Fountain and Exploring Ancient Rome

Saturday started at 5 a.m. because I was determined to see the Trevi Fountain before the crowds.
And honestly, waking up that early was completely worth it. A group of travelers I had met at the hostel from Australia and New Zealand invited me to bike over with them before sunrise, and somehow that became one of my favorite memories of the entire trip.
The streets were quiet, the city was still waking up, and for a brief moment, the Trevi Fountain actually felt peaceful instead of packed shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists.
The fountain itself is massive in person, with intricate sculptures covering the entire structure and water constantly rushing through the center of the square. Early mornings are absolutely the best time to visit if you want photos or simply want to experience the atmosphere without huge crowds.

Afterward, I grabbed pizza and wine near the Colosseum and spent the afternoon continuing to explore ancient Rome.

I visited the famous church known for its illusion-style mirrored ceiling artwork before finally entering the Colosseum itself.

And honestly, no matter how many photos you see beforehand, walking inside the Colosseum still feels surreal.

Originally built nearly 2,000 years ago, the Colosseum once held over 50,000 spectators who gathered for gladiator battles, theatrical performances, and massive public events. Standing inside something that ancient while still seeing so much of the structure preserved is hard to fully process in person.

I also visited the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings in existence. The massive dome ceiling and central oculus make the interior feel both ancient and strangely modern at the same time.

The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering through Rome, eating gelato, stopping into little shops, and people watching in random piazzas before eventually ending the night in Trastevere.
And honestly, Trastevere might have been my favorite neighborhood in all of Rome.
At night, the streets completely come alive with live music, dancing, restaurants overflowing into the streets, wine bars, and crowds of people just wandering around with no real destination. It felt lively without feeling overly touristy and ended up being the perfect final night in the city.

Sunday Morning: One Last Espresso Before Heading Home

Sunday morning came way too quickly.

I grabbed one final croissant and espresso from a local bakery, picked up my traditional souvenir shot glass, and took the train back toward the airport before flying home that evening.

And honestly, there is something very strange about going from ancient Roman streets and Vespa rides straight back into normal life within 24 hours.

But that is also what made this trip feel so rewarding.

Tips for Getting Around Rome

Rome is an extremely walkable city, but you need to prepare for a lot of walking.

Most major attractions are spread throughout different neighborhoods, and honestly, walking ended up being one of the best parts of the experience because you constantly stumble across hidden churches, tiny cafés, fountains, and random ruins without even trying.

That said, comfortable shoes are absolutely essential because Rome’s cobblestone streets can get exhausting quickly.

I also highly recommend:

carrying cash or coins for churches and smaller cafés
dressing modestly if visiting religious sites like the Vatican or Pantheon
waking up early for major attractions to avoid crowds
using trains from the airport instead of expensive taxis
keeping a portable charger with you because you will use your phone constantly for maps and photos

And honestly, some of the best moments in Rome happened when I stopped trying to follow an itinerary and just wandered around.

Favorite Things I Did in Rome

Some highlights from the trip:

Vespa tour through Rome
Vatican City and Sistine Chapel
Trevi Fountain at sunrise
Colosseum and Roman Forum
Pantheon
Wandering Trastevere at night
Pizza and wine near the Colosseum
Gelato stops throughout the city

What to Pack for a Weekend Trip to Rome

October in Rome was warm during the day but cooler at night, so layers worked best.

Things I was especially glad I packed:

Comfortable walking shoes
Crossbody bag with zipper
Portable charger
Light sweater or jacket
Sunglasses
Power adapter
Small umbrella
Modest outfit options for churches and Vatican visits
Tripod with remote for solo travel photos

Hostel Essentials I Never Skip

For hostel stays, especially quick international weekend trips, there are a few things that always make the experience easier.

Things I never travel without now:

Microfiber towel
Shower shoes
Lock for hostel lockers
Satin pillowcase
Hanging shower caddy
Portable charger
Noise-canceling headphones
Eye mask
Ear plugs
Reusable water bottle

Wrapping Up Rome

Rome is one of those cities that feels chaotic and overwhelming in the best possible way. It is ancient and modern at the same time, fast and slow in the same breath, and somehow manages to feel both deeply historic and completely alive.

This trip reminded me that you do not need weeks off or a massive budget to experience places that feel life-changing. Sometimes all it takes is a long weekend, a good flight deal, and the decision to say yes to a city you have always wanted to see.

And Rome, more than anything, is a city that rewards exactly that.

72 Hours in Rome