There is an old saying, ‘All roads lead to Rome.’ In case you are wondering where the phrase comes from, it’s attributed to the Ancient Romans. It means that there is a central or commonplace for everything. This might explain why Italy is quite popular with its amazing sights and rich history; its cuisine and art; as well as various other reasons which contributed making Rome the cradle of western civilization. That’s also one major reason why it’s a popular holiday destination from the United Arab Emirates.
A journey like that could be made budget-friendly, thanks to Wizz Air flights flying weekly between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Rome Fiumicino. So, a weekend getaway to Rome from Dubai is not impossible at all. You can have a budget-friendly vacation to Rome from Dubai. Here’s how to plan it…
Read more: Budget-friendly Vacation to Rome from Dubai
You can now fly to Rome from Abu Dhabi or Dubai for just a few dirhams. Yes, for as low as 239 AED and for a round- trip ticket of 500 AED, you can fully experience a fun and easy vacation from Dubai to Rome by booking a seat with Wizz Air. A great way to have a budget-friendly vacation to Rome from Dubai. You just need to make sure to book early and check your dates of travel. Fares do vary according to seat options and date of travel.
Wizz Air is a Hungarian low-cost airline that flies all over Europe and in 2019, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s subsidiary was founded. It’s good news to the UAE expats and residents because we have more options to fly to Europe, Asia and Africa in a budget-friendly way! Moreover, you can also fly to other exciting places such as Vienna, Athens, Naples, Malaga, and London.
We flew directly to Rome from Abu Dhabi via Wizz Air, and it was a great experience. As a first-time flyer of Wizz Air, I sincerely think it offers good value for my money.
Here’s a look at my 4 days, budget-friendly vacation to Rome from Dubai
Flying to Rome from Abu Dhabi International airport was quite easy and comfortable. There are not a lot of processes to be done, and the queue was short. If you’re planning to do this but you’re based in Dubai, just ensure that you leave ample time between traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi followed by at least a 3-hour check-in allowance at the airport. Us, we technically came from Dubai and flew out from Abu Dhabi on a red-eye flight. We flew out on a Friday night and spent three full days in the city. With two small kids, it was a doable and enjoyable one!
We arrived in Rome on a chilly, 5c weather, early morning of Saturday. Wizz Air’s flight from Abu Dhabi is at 9 PM, and with a time difference of three hours, we were out of the airport early in the morning. But it was okay. If there’s one thing that’s good about a red-eye flight, you get to sleep on the plane and wake up with energy in a different city.
We stayed in Napoleon Hotel, a 4-star hotel located in the city centre and the metro station is just a few meters from the hotel’s entrance. So, it is very easy for my kids. The area is also surrounded by cafes, bars, and restaurants. Something that comes in handy when traveling with little children.
Day 1- Blast in the Past: Strolling Around the Ancient City of Rome and the Colosseum
We started our “walking family tour” in the old city of Rome. The city which is older than Italy itself is more than 2,500 years old. And to be there in person was like living in the past. I was completely astounded by Rome’s beautiful ruins and amazing history. It was a beautiful winter morning with blue skies and lots of sunshine. So we did enjoy walking along the streets of Roma. Our first stop was the Colosseum. The massive architectural wonder built in 75 AD is truly a wonder. During the winter season, the colosseum is still a busy place to visit, and you must book your tickets in advance to get in.
As we have little children, we couldn’t predict our schedule, so we didn’t buy the ticket in advance, and guess what, it was sold out! But luckily, there were a few guided tour tickets left, and we opted for these. The cost of the ticket is 40 EURO per person, and since my kids are below 12 years old, they went free.
After the Colosseum, we went to see Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Palatine Hill is considered to be one of the seven hills where the old Roman city stood. It’s where the palace of the first emperor stood. We spent the rest of the afternoon admiring the breathtaking view of the hill dotted with wildflowers and evergreen trees. You can actually spend a day there admiring nature and having a picnic with a picturesque view of the ruins and the Colosseum. After the tour, we had lunch around the area and had a wonderful stroll around the old town.
What’s the Best Way to Tour the City in a Short Time?
If you’re short of time, consider taking a hop-on-hop-off bus that lets you see the city’s highlights. There are various payment options, and you can opt for a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket.
We did book a hop-on and hop-off bus tour and did manage to use it. However, because our guided tour of the colosseum took more than 2 hours, we were not able to maximize its usage. So, as a tip, if you’re planning to take guided tours of the colosseum, it’s better to take the metro. And reserve the hop-on-hop-off bus for another day!
Day 2: A Drive to the Countryside
In all our trips, I always see to it that we take the road less traveled, literally and figuratively! The kids were longing to see and play in the snow. So, I surprised them with a scenic road trip just to see and play in the snow.
Skiing in Rome sounds like an oxymoron. But it’s not as implausible as you might think. There are actually a number of smaller ski resorts within driving distance of the city.
Two of them are Ovindoli and Campo Felice, both located in Abruzzo, which is about two hours’ drive from Rome. Both offer ski runs for all abilities, from beginners to experts. And they’re relatively inexpensive compared to other skiing destinations such as Switzerland.
The former is one of the local ski resorts that Romans go to in droves when they want to go ski without flying to the Dolomites, the Italian Alps. It has chair lifts and cable cars. For me, it’s perfect as a family destination since we only want to go up to the mountains and play in the snow.
We had a very interesting and entertaining road trip to the mountainous town of Ovindoli, a 2-hour drive from Rome. Our chauffeur who was born and bred in Rome took the time to explain to us the history of the town as well as Rome. I can say, the kids had a history field trip outside of school. Of course, lots of questions were asked along the way. The kids had so much fun at the ski resort. We went up the mountains by cable car and were extremely awed by the beauty of Ovindoli and Italy’s countryside. But what I loved most in this short getaway was the weather. We have truly experienced the winter sun. Once we reached the top, we went to a cafe, enjoyed hot cocoa, and tried a typical Italian pastry. It was a good day!
After our snowy experience, we then headed to a local restaurant where we tried their famous organic pasta with deer meat. It’s a delicacy that you should try when you’re there. And our chauffeur took the time to reserve the place for us. We were all full by the end of the lunch, but we couldn’t leave without a cup of espresso and a slice of tiramisu.
As soon as we came back to Rome, we visited the Trevi Fountain, and my kids had another scoop of gelato. The trevi fountain was crowded when we got there. So, I recommend to visit this place early morning rather than late in the afternoon.
But by the end of the day, it was worth driving to the countryside and seeing a different side of central Italy.
What are the other places I can visit in Rome on Day 2 if I don’t want to drive out of the city?
- Shop like the ancient Romans do. Have a look at the small shops and artisan bakeries and “gelataria”.
- Spend a full day in the Vatican and visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Basilica. Check out the paintings of world-renowned Italian artists Michaelangelo and Raphael.
- Stroll Rome’s busy streets from Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps. Check out the souvenir and fashion stores.
- Then spend the afternoon in Villa Borghese Park. There’s a zoo inside the park as well as boat rentals.
- Finally, stroll around the Pantheon. Go early. It’s free to enter on weekdays but the queue can be very long.
Day 3: Discovering the farmer’s market called Campo de’ Fiori , a medieval market in Rome’s city centre.
On our third day, we opted to have an easy-going and relaxing day. We spent the full morning around the Vatican and had lunch there too. Then shopped for some souvenirs around the Vatican. After lunch, we headed to Campo De’ Fiori. It’s a must-see if it’s your first time in Italy.
Campo de’ Fiori is one of the most interesting farmer’s markets I’ve ever visited in all my travels. It’s an open market, where I found fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheese, and all kinds of pasta. I bought a few homemade kinds of pasta and sauces as well as a slice of parmesan cheese. In the afternoon, the market became an open-air gallery of everything “Italian”. I love the bustling atmosphere when people gather and have an espresso in its many cafes, restaurants, and delis. After our enjoyable shopping, we stopped for gelato and well, a cafe latte for me.
Before it got dark, we then went to Villa Borghese. It was a little bit confusing to go there but we manage to find it. Here’s a tip if you plan to include it in your itinerary; from the Spanish Steps, go inside the metro station and walk towards the exit to Villa Borghese. You will easily find it if you follow this route.
Villa Borghese is the most visited park in Rome. It’s also one of the free-entry attractions of the city. Moreover, it houses fascinating things such as sculptures that belong to the old families of Rome. I’m talking about centuries-old sculptures. So, consider this a must-do when you’re in Rome. The other exquisite thing that you’ll find there is the water clock. The special clock was invented in 1867 and guess what, it works only with water. So cool, right? Well, the park is quite massive for walking so, we opted to rent a golf cart with a driver. We toured around the park, checked out some gardens filled with lemon trees, and stopped at a viewpoint, where we got a bird’s eye view of the city at dusk.
We concluded our short weekend getaway with a scrumptious dinner at an Italian restaurant near where we were staying. The restaurant is highly recommended by the hotel’s staff and has won Trip Advisor’s Best Restaurant in 2022. So, without trepidation and doubt, off we went. Tempio Minerva has that rustic and romantic atmosphere. Though it’s a small restaurant, its staff is very accommodating and of course, our dinner was not only satisfying but also worth remembering. A beautiful way to end our historical and gastronomical journey in the ancient city of Rome.
Tips for First-time Travelers to Rome
- Always pack a carry-on with extra clothes, pjs, and toiletries. So, if you missed your luggage, you still have a change of clothes.
- Bring snacks and something you can much on if you’re flying on Wizz Air or any low-cost airline. You can also order sandwiches and drinks on the plane but bringing snacks come always handy!
- Get the hop-on and hop-off buses if you want to cover a lot of places in Rome in a short time.
- Since it’s a budget airline, the leg space is a bit small. Wear comfortable and loose clothes, bring an earplug, and download your favorite films and TV series on your phone.
- Book a red-eye flight if you can easily fall asleep on the plane.
- If you need a visa to Europe, ensure to apply for it in advance.
- Most importantly, book your tickets in advance. Book it through GetyourGuide and skip the line!