Summer Travel Guide to Rome on a Budget

Rome is beautiful. The problem is, it can become very expensive to see everything and do everything. Rome is a city with an epic history, with lost empires at every corner. It may not be the center of the world like it was before, but it is truly a magnificent city that all should visit.

Rome is quite unique from other cities you will visit. There are no towering skyscrapers. The city lights aren't overbearingly bright. It's not chuck-full of people having trouble to move on a busy city street. It's more like an over-sized town.

It's true - Rome can become expensive. Here's the guide you should follow if you want to enjoy Rome for all its beauty, yet get the most bang for the buck!

What makes Rome so special is the fact that you won't have to spend a lot to experience the magnificent city.

What To Do:

- Visit the Coliseum. Visit it both during the day and the night. In the day, you will be able to see all the details that leave the structure in a class of its own. During the night, you will be able to see a beautiful structure come alive with the effects from the lights.

- Trevi Fountain. This fountain is known for bringing good fortune to all! Not only is it beautiful, but it's the perfect way to come across the locals since there a lot of tradition restaurants around the area. The structures around the fountain come alive during the day with all the detail, but are very beautiful at night - once again, because of the effects from the light.

- Take stroll through the city. Rome is special since you can just take a stroll down the streets and see things you will never see anywhere else. Almost everywhere you turn, you will come across ruins, structures and other ancient remnants that will leave you in awe.

- Imperial Forum. Take a stroll around the Imperial Forum. It won't cost you anything, but it's very beautiful!

- The Vatican. Christians and non-Christians alike can enjoy the beauty that the Vatican can offer. It doesn't take a hardcore believer to appreciate the beauty of the Sistine Chapel! Trust me, it'll be worth it just to see the clothing on the Swiss Army soldiers that guard the palace!

What To Eat:

- The key thing to remember is that the smaller restaurants traditionally have more authentic Roman food, so don't assume the bigger the place, the better. Food isn't cheap, but looking for the smaller places usually means saving more money in the long run.

- Eat at the restaurants around the Trevi Fountain. I truly enjoyed the ice cream parlors and pizzerias around the fountain. It was cheap and very authentic!

Where to Stay:

- There are many places to stay in and around Rome. You will get cheaper deals if you stay out of the heart of the city, but within the city limits. Transportation is cheap, so don't look for the closest hotel to the Coliseum!

- Remember, the beauty of Rome is not within the hotel walls, but outside them. Just look for a safe, yet inexpensive hotel since you should only go to the hotel to sleep!