A chance meeting with a tour guide turned a simple weekend in Rome into an unforgettable adventure, from hidden catacombs and ancient ruins to accidental weddings and breathtaking views over the Eternal City.
In 2003, my friend Paul Dunne and I took a long weekend trip to Rome. I’d never been to Italy before, and I was excited to finally see the capital, a city overflowing with history, ruins, churches, fountains, and more gelato than any human should reasonably consume.
We stayed right in the centre of Rome, within walking distance of many of the major sights. Our original plan was simple: wander around on our own and soak it all in. That plan lasted exactly one day.
Meeting Our Tour Guide by Chance.
While exploring the Roman Forum, we were approached by a man who introduced himself as a tour guide. He offered to show us around the Forum for free, saying we could leave a tip if we enjoyed it. We took a chance, and it was one of the best decisions of the trip.
He was brilliant. Knowledgeable, funny, and full of stories that brought the ruins to life. By the end of the tour, we’d booked him for the next few days to show us around the rest of Rome.
The Forum.
The Forum, once the bustling heart of ancient Rome, is a rectangular area filled with the remains of temples, government buildings, and public spaces. With our guide explaining what each ruin once was, it became far more than a pile of old stones. It was a window into the daily life of the Romans, markets, speeches, trials, and political drama long before modern politics made it fashionable.
The Colosseum.
No trip to Rome is complete without seeing the Colosseum. Standing inside it, imagining the roar of the crowds and the chaos of the games, was unforgettable. Thankfully, no lions or prisoners were involved on this visit.
The Pantheon.
The Pantheon was another highlight. Its enormous dome and oculus are still engineering marvels today. It’s hard to believe it was built nearly 2,000 years ago.
St Peter’s Basilica.
We climbed all the way up to the top of St Peter’s Basilica. The staircase spirals tightly around the inside of the dome, sloping and narrowing as you go. You end up walking slightly bent and leaning to one side, like a drunk trying to look sober. But the view from the top is absolutely worth it, Rome spread out in every direction, rooftops glowing in the sun.
The Trevi Fountain.
We visited the Trevi Fountain, tossed in a coin, and hoped it would guarantee a return to Rome. (It must have worked, Ive been back, and I still plan to go back.)
Piazza Navona.
Piazza Navona was full of life: artists, performers, fountains, and cafés. A perfect place to sit and people‑watch.
The Appian Way & Aqueduct.
Walking along the Appian Way, one of the oldest Roman roads, felt like stepping back in time. The aqueducts were equally impressive, massive structures that still dominate the landscape.
The Catacombs, A Tour We Weren’t Supposed to Have.
One of the most memorable experiences was our tour of the Catacombs. Thanks to our guide, we ended up seeing areas the public never gets to visit.
He told us to hang back from the official tour group, and as we drifted behind, he suddenly appeared from a dark tunnel, grabbed us, and whisked us into an unlit passageway. We waited until the group’s footsteps faded, then he lit a torch and led us deeper underground.
We walked through narrow tunnels lined with alcoves filled with skeletons, hundreds of them. He showed us hidden chambers and ancient burial sites that even the monks rarely visited. Eventually, we rejoined the back of the official tour as if nothing had happened.
It was eerie, fascinating, and unforgettable.
The Spanish Steps & Trinità dei Monti.
We nearly spent far longer at Trinità dei Monti than planned. As we approached the church, I removed my hat out of respect, something I always do when entering a church. Two suited men at the door thanked me, ushered me inside, and showed me to a seat.
Only then did I realise I had walked straight into a private wedding ceremony.
I quietly slipped out just before the doors closed. Later, I learned that ceremonies there can last up to four hours. If I hadn’t escaped when I did, I’d still be sitting there today.
A Weekend to Remember.
After a fantastic weekend exploring Rome, I often think of the line from Monty Python’s Life of Brian: “What have the Romans ever done for us?” Quite a lot, as it turns out, and they certainly gave me a weekend full of great memories.
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