RomeCabs Transfers and Tours in Italy

Buongiorno and welcome to the travel blog of Stefano’s RomeCabs, Rome’s leading company for private Rome Tours, Transfers, and Shore Excursions.

If you are planning to visit Rome in 2022, be sure to make this your most memorable vacation and enjoy the Eternal City in its true essence! After two years of travel disrupted by the pandemic, 2022 is seeing travelers returning to Rome making this probably the last occasion to visit the most beautiful city in the world without the “crowds”.

What will traveling to Rome in 2022 mean for you?  For starters, some covid safety measures are still in place.  Some travelers will still try to avoid crowded attractions and public transportation while seeking more open spaces, less crowded places, and safer, more private modes of transportation.  

 Insider Tips on visiting Rome during Covid-19 in 2022

COVID SAFETY MEASURES AND REGULATIONS IN ROME IN 2022

Green Pass / Vaccine Card Requirements in Rome

Until further notice from the Italian government on March 31, 2022, Super Green Pass  /  Vaccine Cards are required to access hotels, Museums, Churches, Archeological sites, restaurants and cafes, shops, and public transportations.  As travelers to Italy are required to show proof of vaccination, these regulations should not impede them from accessing these public spaces.

During this “Green Pass/Vaccine Card”  phase, you should expect longer lines to access Monumen, Museums, and important Churches, so have your Vaccine Card and ID handy, as many might also ask for your ID to validate the owner of the Vaccine Pass.

The current Green Pass/ Vaccine Card requirements to access public venues are currently in effect until March 31 when new information and updates might be made available regarding Covid safety requirements. We recommend following official government websites for up-to-date information for travelers to Italy:

• Italy Ministry of Health – Covid-19, travelers
• US Embassy & Consulates in Italy Covid-19 Information
• US Department of State – Travel Advisory
• Italia – Covid 19

Protective Masks requirements in Rome

Face mask mandates have always been mandatory indoors, on all transportation, as well as outdoor monuments cultural events.  Until March 31, Italy the use of FFP2  or KN95 masks is mandatory indoors and on all transportation.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR VISITING ROME IN 2022

Alternatives to using Public Transporation in Rome

If you are uneasy about taking buses, trains, and metros that can become crowded, you have alternative options of using Uber to get around Rome or reserve private driver services for mid and long-distance transfers, as well as for the day (such as Rome city tours by car if you wish to maximize your sightseeing opportunities in Rome without extensive walking or using public transport). 

Visit top attractions in Rome when they are least crowded

If you are uneasy about visiting crowded attractions such as the Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, or Trevi Fountain, try visiting them when they are least crowded. 

Book your Colosseum ticket time slot first thing in the morning.

Visit the Vatican Museums either first thing in the morning or after 1 PM when the morning bus tours,  group tours, and visitors have left for lunch.

Visit Saint Peter’s Basilica first thing in the morning when it opens to avoid the long security and vaccine card check lines

Visit Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps early in the morning (before 10 AM) when there are the least amount of visitors at these popular squares.

Visit the Pantheon early in the morning (before 10 AM).

Also take the opportunity to visit other famous and beautiful squares with beautiful fountains such as Piazza Navona and its Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza del Popolo with its Fountain of the Lions, and Piazza Barberini with the Triton Fountain. 

While visiting these beautiful fountains, don’t miss the opportunity to taste the best Caffè or Cappuccino in Rome, at Sant’Eustacchio Cafè or Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon. While at the Pantheon, don’t miss one of the best gelateria (ice cream shops) in Rome: Cremeria Monteforte. You can’t miss it, it’s located on the side of the Pantheon where the taxi rank is. 

Substitute Rome’s crowded attractions with these amazing places

If you have already visited the Vatican Museums, Saint Peter’s Basilica, or the Colosseum, and prefer to avoid crowded attractions, the good news is that there is still so much to see and do in Rome (and around Rome) while avoiding crowds.

You may substitute the Colosseum with the nearby Roman Forum or Palatine Hill (they are included in the same tickets), or visit the imperial Baths of Caracalla that is located a short distance from Circus Maximus.

The last of our insider tips on visiting Rome during Covid-19 in 2022 is visiting off-the-beaten path churches and museums that are quite unique but overlooked by the average tourist. Rome hosts more than 900 Churches and each of them is an incredible masterpiece of history, art, and culture. We encourage you to visit some of the lesser-known churches that hold underground secrets of ancient Rome:

* Basilica di Santa Sabina on the Aventine Hill, a 5th century Roman Basilica, often described as the best-preserved Paleochristian Basilica in Rome. The Basilica is usually open from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 6 pm.

* Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura (Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls), the second-largest Basilica in Roma, incredibly peaceful, built on the tomb of Saint Paul.

* San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains), one of the oldest churches in Rome, was built to preserve the precious relic of Saint Peter’s chains (still preserved under the altar). The most important artwork in this church is Michelangelo’s Monument built for Pope Julius II.

* Basilica di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the only Gothic interior designed Church in Rome. This Church contains Michelangelo’s statue of the Risen Christ as well as the tomb of Italy’s Saint Patron, St. Catherine of Siena.  You may visit this church after you visit the Pantheon as it’s located right behind it. 

* Underneath the beautiful Basilica of San Clemente (several blocks behind the Colosseum) are two layers of ancient history that you can explore:  a 1st century AD ancient Roman home that was converted into a covert place of worship by early Christians when Christianity was illegal in ancient Rome, and a 4th century AD early basilica that was later destroyed in the Medieval era and the current new basilica built on top of it.  

Rome also has a “secret” Museum hidden in the Ancient Aurelian Walls. “Museo delle Mura” is dedicated to the Aurelian Walls, the fortification by Emperor Aurelius, that surrounded the Ancient city of Rome. This museum is located inside “Porta San Sebastiano”, one of the Ancient City Gates: you will have the unique chance to walk through the Ancient Wall and have a view of Rome from the top of the wall. (The Museum is open 9 am to 2 pm, last access is at 1:30 pm. It is closed on Mondays )

You may also venture to the outskirts of Rome and visit the Christian Catacombs such as the Catacombs of St Callixtus and the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian.  The Catacombs admission tickets include a small group guided visit through the underground labyrinth.

 While in that area, enjoy a stroll along the peaceful Ancient Appian Way, the “Queen of all the roads“, surrounded by ancient monuments, mausoleums, and villas. Don’t miss a stop by the Domine Quo Vadis Church, built on the spot where Saint Peter saw a vision of Christ.

According to the ancient tradition, this is the spot where Saint Peter met a vision of Christ, while he was leaving Rome, trying to escape from his martyrdom. Christ asked “Domine, Quo Vadis?” (Lord, where are you going?). After this vision, Peter overcame the fear of his martyrdom and returned to Rome to face it.

If you’ve never been to Ostia Antica, you should consider dedicating a half-day to visiting this ancient Roman city that rivals Pompeii. Our sister company Stefano Rome Tours offers a half-day excursion from Rome to Ostia Antica where you can enjoy 2 hours of compelling exploration of this remarkable site.

During your stay in Rome, don’t miss a chance to taste the real Roman cuisine in one of the historical “trattoria”: Sora Lella on the Tiber Island. They have tables available indoors and outdoor, and reservation is always needed. This local Trattoria is closed on Sundays.

Outdoor dining is a uniquely charming experience in Rome. Many restaurants and cafes in the historic center have outdoor tables where you may sit, enjoy your meal, and take in the wondrous atmosphere of the Eternal City.  If you are visiting in the winter or in the should seasons, don’t worry. Many restaurants have their outdoor tables semi-enclosed with heat lamps for a cozy dining experience even in the colder months. 

If you wish to experience as much of Rome as possible easily and comfortably, we invite you to browse through our Rome City tours by car and Day Tours from Rome.  We can even customize a Rome tour for you to include your favorite locations. 

Rome tours by car are most beneficial when you are short on time but with a long list of must-see places, and when you wish to venture into the outskirts of Rome where public transportation is limited or very time-consuming.   All our tours are private just for your and your party, touring in your private deluxe Mercedes vehicle with your personal English-speaking Driver at your service.  Experiencing Rome doesn’t get easier than that!

Thank you for reading our Insider Tips on visiting Rome during Covid-19 in 2022 travel blog, and for choosing Stefano’s RomeCabs, we look forward to showing you beautiful places in Rome!

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