We arrived in Rome early Sunday morning, kicking off the pre-cruise leg of this Mediterranean trip. We’d arranged RomeCabs to pick us up at the airport and take us straight to our hotel, Hotel Cesari, near the Trevi Fountain.

A Quiet Sunday Morning at Rome’s Icons

With the city still quiet at that early hour, we took full advantage and hit some of the more popular sights while they were blissfully crowd-free: the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona. There’s something about seeing these places without the usual crush of tourists that makes an already special city feel like it’s just for you.

The Capuchin Monks Museum and Bone Crypts

For something a little different, we toured the Capuchin Monks Museum and Bone Crypts — genuinely fascinating. Several tiny chapels sit beneath the church itself, constructed entirely from the bones of more than 3,000 skeletons, believed to be Capuchin friars buried by the order over the centuries. It’s meant to represent the swift passage of time and our own mortality, and it’s the kind of stop that sticks with you. Sorry photography was not allowed.

An Evening Food Tour Through the Jewish Ghetto and Campo de’ Fiori

After a little rest, we met up with Claudia, our guide from The Food Tours of Rome, for an evening food tour through the Old Jewish Quarter and Campo de’ Fiori — a terrific way to kick off this trip.

We started in the Old Jewish Quarter with hot, fresh carciofi alla giudia (fried artichokes).

Next up: pizza, because there’s never anything wrong with that.

From there we sat streetside for platters of local meats and cheeses with fresh bruschetta and red wine, treated to an impromptu accordion concert along the way.

We all gathered at a long table in a restaurant built inside an old theatre for a tasting of four different pastas, with more wine flowing throughout.

We capped off an evening full of food, drink, and laughter with a little tiramisu, then gelato.

Quick Tips for an Arrival Day in Rome

• Book RomeCabs for airport transfers — a smooth, direct ride straight from the airport to the hotel.
• Take advantage of an early morning arrival — hitting the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona before the crowds build is worth the jet lag.
• Don’t skip the Capuchin Monks Museum and Bone Crypts — an unusual but genuinely interesting stop, off the standard sightseeing path.
• Book an evening food tour with The Food Tours of Rome if you want a lively, multi-stop introduction to the city — pasta, wine, and an accordion serenade included.