suitcase city tour

What Is a Food Tour? Get to Know Your New City Through Its Cuisine

One of the best ways to learn about a new place is through its cuisine. Preparing food, serving dishes, and sharing memories are integral to many cultures. What’s the best way to discover a city’s best eats? Take a food tour and explore what the town has to offer. 

In this article, we’ll use San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood , which is full of incredible restaurants, as an example of what to expect in a food tour. Here’s what you need to know about this culinary experience.

What Is a Food Tour?

As the name suggests, a food tour takes you around a city to discover its best eats. You’ll test the town’s top restaurants during your stay and explore the local cuisine. These tours are beneficial if you’ve never been to a city before and want to engage with the community . Learning about food is vital because it tells you about the city’s history and people.

For example, a food tour in Little Italy could take you to iconic spots like Nonna + Zucchero , where traditional Italian recipes come to life, or Ironside Fish & Oyster , where seafood is served in a stylish setting that reflects the neighborhood’s coastal roots.

Sampling the local fare reveals the neighborhood’s rich Italian heritage and modern twist on seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. You’ll not only taste exquisite dishes but also learn about the evolution of Little Italy as one of the city’s most vibrant dining destinations.

How Can You Take a Food Tour in Your New City?

If you’re visiting or moving to a new city , the abundance of activities can feel overwhelming. That said, a food tour could be just what you need to learn the ins and outs. Here are a few ways to commence this adventure:

Book a Tour

The first option is to book a food tour with a local organization. These experts regularly host cuisine courses in their city and understand the best places to go. A carefully crafted tour immerses you in the local culture and makes you feel like a lifelong resident. Plus, you might make new friends looking for a similar experience.

In Little Italy, a guided tour could take you to Barbusa , known for its modern Italian flair, or Mona Lisa Italian Foods , a classic spot for authentic Italian dishes. Some tours may also highlight the history behind these restaurants, such as the influence of Italian immigrants who established the neighborhood as a culinary hub.

Walk With a Local

While guided food tours are great, they may only suit some personalities. You may prefer a smaller and more intimate group for your experience, so a tour with a local could be up your alley. Have you made friends at work or in your neighborhood? Ask somebody to take you to their favorite spots in the immediate area or even across town.

If you ask a local from Little Italy, they might recommend hidden gems like Buon Appetito , a cozy restaurant with a fantastic menu. They may also recommend Civico 1845 , known for its fresh plant-based options alongside traditional Italian dishes. These recommendations are often more personal and will reveal the local favorites you might miss on a larger tour.

Create Your Own Experience

If you can’t find a tour you like, you can create your own experience. First, you can research local food blogs to find the best restaurants and which hidden spots are worth trying. Alternatively, you could walk around the city and try restaurants at random to form your own opinions. Your experience will be valuable for showing family around or introducing future neighbors to the city’s cuisine.

In Little Italy, creating your own tour might lead you to well-loved spots like Bencotto Italian Kitchen , where pasta is handmade daily, or The Crack Shack , which offers gourmet fried chicken with an upscale twist. With so many delicious options, a DIY food tour in a new city is bound to be a culinary adventure.

What Are the Benefits of a Food Tour?

Food tours take you on a tasty trip around town and create fun days. What do you gain from this experience? Here are three benefits of your food tour:

1. You Get to Know the City

Whether you’re visiting or moving to a new city, it’s always helpful to learn as much as possible beforehand. Researching the local restaurants, attractions, and transportation options can make your move smoother. If you’re relocating, one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the city is to travel there before a permanent move. Even a week in your new town helps the immersion process — especially if you are familiar with the food.

In Little Italy, food is central to the community’s identity. Strolling through its streets, you’ll find great restaurants but also the Piazza della Famiglia , a central gathering space where locals come to eat, drink, and enjoy the atmosphere. Whether you’re enjoying a meal at Pappalecco for authentic gelato or sipping espresso at Caffe Italia , you’ll feel the heart of this neighborhood through its food.

One of the primary obstacles to an extended visit is work. However, sites like Anyplace make it easier to find rentable workspaces for your trip. Use the accommodation search to see the best spaces for you. These furnished apartments typically include gyms, on-site laundry and fast internet. Staying here means you can easily live — and eat — like a local. 

2. You’ll Experience Diverse Cultures

Visiting a new city is an excellent experience because you see its diversity. People travel from around the world to live in various U.S. cities, and a food tour is a great way to see their impact. This guided opportunity could be your chance to expand your palate if you’ve never tried a specific cuisine. When will you get another opportunity to try Ethiopian or Sri Lankan restaurants?

Little Italy may be rooted in Italian tradition, but it also reflects a diverse food scene with influences from across the world. You’ll find everything from Italian specialties to modern seafood, Asian fusion, and innovative California cuisine, showcasing the evolving diversity of the neighborhood.

3. You Will Support Small Businesses

When you embark on a food tour, you want to see the best restaurants in the city. While the most famous spots have terrific eats, your experience is better when you support small businesses. Locals value these mom-and-pop shops and restaurants because they’re the heartbeat of a community. Without them, the city wouldn’t be the same.

Many of Little Italy’s beloved restaurants are small, family-owned establishments that have been part of the community for generations. Dining at places like Filippi’s Pizza Grotto , a family-run institution since 1950, is not just a meal but a connection to the neighborhood’s history.

Finding Fun With a Food Tour

Food represents togetherness, as sharing a meal creates bonds between people. Testing a city’s cuisine fosters the same ideals, as eating at local restaurants helps you understand the community.

If you want to familiarize yourself with a town, try a food tour to see the best places it offers. You’ll explore new dishes and make new connections along the way. 

And if you book your trip with Anyplace , you’ll have the chance to live and eat like a local, discovering hidden gems and authentic flavors that longer-term travelers get to enjoy.

Where to next? Find monthly rentals designed for remote workers on Anyplace .

Review: Set in Tampa, Sterling Watson's 'Suitcase City' a noir revenge tale

• Colette Bancroft Times staff

Tampa is suddenly showing up in new novels, although those literary depictions might not be exactly what the tourist bureau would order.

Next Tuesday, Dennis Lehane's World Gone By will be published, the third book in an epic gangster trilogy, set in a violence-racked Ybor City in the 1940s. But beating Lehane to print by a week is his former professor Sterling Watson with Suitcase City , a noir revenge tale set in Tampa in the late 1990s.

Watson is the Peter Meinke professor emeritus of literature and creative writing at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, where he was director of the creative writing program for 20 years. He also co-founded, with Lehane (an Eckerd alumnus), the Writers in Paradise conference held each year at Eckerd. Suitcase City is Watson's seventh novel; others include Sweet Dream Baby and Fighting in the Shade .

Suitcase City takes its title from the disparaging nickname of the Tampa neighborhood directly west of the University of South Florida campus, an area that, at the time the novel is set, had one of the city's highest crime rates.

The book's main character, Jimmy Teach, lives a long way from Suitcase City. Vice president in charge of sales at a pharmaceutical company, wealthy and white, Teach lives in a handsome South Tampa home and hangs out at the country club. He's a recent widower, but he is comforted by his close relationship with his bright teenage daughter, Deanie, a talented ballerina.

Once upon a time, Teach was a football star, first as quarterback of a championship Gators team, then, briefly, in the NFL. Now, at 45, he just tells and re-tells his glory-day stories to strangers in bars over a couple of bourbons, or maybe half a dozen. Who's counting?

The main traits Teach retains from his football career are a towering ego and a propensity for violence. The latter erupts in the book's first chapter, a prologue set in 1978, and again to set the plot in motion in 1997. Drinking in a bar one afternoon, Teach heads for the men's room along with another customer he had been talking to. Into the bathroom walks a black teenager with a threatening air and what Teach thinks is a straight razor in the waistband of his jeans. When the kid says, "You b----es better give it up," Teach knocks him unconscious with a blow to the head.

Turns out the razor wasn't a razor, and the kid is Tyrone Battles, a high school football star whose family, a police detective tells Teach, is "a walking history of the civil rights movement in this state." Tyrone's uncle, Thurman Battles, is one of the most prominent lawyers in town ­— and he is not inclined to let the incident drop.

With his job and prestige on the line, pressured by both the fiercely intelligent Detective Aimes (who happens to be another one of Tyrone's uncles) and an aggressive reporter named Marlie Turkel, Teach finds a way to get Thurman Battles to drop a possible civil case.

But his relief is short lived. Teach has a lot of secrets in his past, including a stint as a drug smuggler when he was a kid growing up in Cedar Key, a job he returned to briefly after his football career tanked. His partner from those days, a black man named Blood Naylor, lives in Suitcase City, although Teach doesn't know it, and Blood has issues with him. As the story accelerates, Teach finds himself being blamed for something far worse than a barroom scuffle and desperate to find out why.

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The plot of Suitcase City ranges around Tampa and occasionally across the bay to Pinellas County. Tony Tampa neighborhood Palma Ceia and its eponymous country club appear under the alias Terra Ceia, borrowed from the Manatee County area just south of the Skyway, and La Teresita restaurant gets relocated to the USF area from its actual site in West Tampa, but mostly the landmarks are familiar.

Teach is no hero; in fact, the more we learn about his past, the tougher it becomes to root for him, so many damaged lives has he left in his reckless wake. The outcome of his actions contrasts with the arcs of Aimes' and Blood's lives — both of them have much in common with Teach, but their race has altered their paths in ways that Teach hasn't had to deal with.

Watson weaves those questions about race into a plot that takes one bloody turn after another, a crescendo of violence that ends with a day at sea that might be the most chilling of all.

Contact Colette Bancroft at [email protected] or (727) 893-8435. Follow @colettemb.

Copy Desk Chief and Books Critic

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Suitcase City (2022)

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The 10 Best Luggage Brands of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

No matter what size or style you want, these are the best luggage brands to fit your needs.

In This Article

• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Our Decision Process
• Tips For Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

No matter where you're going or how often you travel, luggage can make or break your trip. It helps with planning, packing, and staying organized while away — and sometimes determines whether you can bring back souvenirs. There's a wide range of checked suitcases, carry-on bags, duffels, weekenders, underseat bags, and backpacks on the market. Beyond that, you've got hardside and softside options with various organizational features. Amid what you might call the Golden Age of luggage, it can be hard to sift through your offerings.

To figure out what brands stand out from the rest, our Travel + Leisure team has tested more than 508 pieces of luggage ranging from carry-ons and checked suitcases to duffels, weekenders, garment bags, and other types of travel bags — assessing capacity, maneuverability, durability, and design through a series of tests and simulations. We've rolled suitcases through obstacle courses, threw them off tables, and hit them with baseball bats to see how well they'd perform in different travel scenarios like rough baggage handlers. We even recreated an airplane set in our New York City lab to lift bags into real overhead bins and underneath seats. We continue testing each bag in our real-life travels for a minimum of six months to make sure it stands up to planes, trains, automobiles, and anything else life may throw at it.

Our team has tested bags from many different brands, and below you'll find our current favorites. We will continue to update this article as we test even more luggage brands and new bags.

Best Overall

Backed by a 10-year warranty, Samsonite luggage is compact yet spacious, easy to maneuver, and exceptionally durable.

Because Samsonite has such a wide variety of designs and price points, some bags perform better than others.

After our most recent set of luggage tests, Samsonite has risen to the top as our favorite overall luggage brand. Samsonite luggage is generally lightweight and compact on the outside, with spacious interiors to maximize packing and a variety of styles to choose from. We especially love the brand for its versatility, with an impressive variety of bags at different price points so you can find whatever suits you whether you're looking for something affordable or luxurious.

The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on holds the spot as the best overall carry-on we've ever tested, while the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside takes the cake as our favorite checked suitcase . We also loved the organizational features — including multiple tech sleeves and included packing cubes — of the Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner .

Almost all of the suitcases sustained hardly any damage after we hit them with a baseball bat and shoved them off a table. Samsonite luggage also maneuvers without a fuss, even on carpeted floors and gravel. Prices are more than reasonable, and while you'll have to make any returns within 30 days, the brand backs its products with a 10-year warranty.

Sophie Mendel, Editor

"As a travel editor, I've tried my share of luggage brands. But the bag I reach for again and again is my trusty Samsonite carry-on , which has stood the test of time, traveling with me to the bustling roads of Cairo to the peaceful fields of Botswana and beyond. I can always count on Samsonite for high-quality, long-lasting, and (extremely) durable pieces that I won't have to worry about breaking or damaging, wherever I'm headed."

Travel + Leisure/Joy Kim

Best Overall, Runner-up

The suitcases are durable, smooth-rolling, and spacious, and the brand has a generous 100-day return policy.

Some are harder to pull on two wheels, and the checked models are a bit heavy. 

All Travelpro luggage we tested earned high scores for maneuverability, durability, capacity, and overall design. The brand's hardside and softside models were a hit in the T+L lab, and there are both carry-on and checked options with spacious interiors and expandable capacities. We also appreciated the various organizational features, like zipper panels, cross straps, and pockets.

With self-aligning spinner wheels and sturdy telescoping handles, Travelpro luggage is also easy to maneuver on hard floors, carpet, and even gravel (though some suitcases are slightly harder to roll on two wheels than four, especially when packed full). We particularly love the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner with its sleek wheels and a textured handle that helps maintain a comfortable grip, and we think the Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Large Check-In Trunk Spinner makes a stylish investment piece if you're looking for something large, durable, and built to last. Even Travelpro's rolling garment bag impressed with its high capacity for the size. And, while the carry-ons are generally lightweight, one thing to note is that the larger checked models weigh almost twice as much when empty.

After shoving the suitcases off a table and whacking them with a baseball bat, we were pleasantly surprised by their durability. We only noticed a couple superficial marks — no scratches or dents, and nothing that wouldn't wipe clean. Travelpro offers a generous 100-day return policy and backs its luggage with warranties ranging from 10 years to a lifetime, though it can be difficult to connect with their customer service department to initiate returns or repair requests at times.

Merrell Readman, Senior Writer

"I've always leaned into traveling with a carry-on bag or a duffel, so when I first tried out the Travelpro Maxlite 5 , I was floored with how lightweight, spacious, and easy to navigate it was. The nearly weightless construction makes it so I can pack to my hearts content without exceeding airline checked bag weight limits, plus, I've been exceedingly impressed with how well the brand has taken on the wear and tear of travel without hardly incurring a dent or scratch."

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best for Staying Organized

Beyond aesthetic appeal, Away flaunts plenty of pockets and compartments that keep all of your items in place.

The hardside suitcases might scratch under heavy use.

Away luggage has a minimalist-modern aesthetic and a sophisticated yet practical appeal. We're huge fans of the brand's suitcases and weekenders and particularly love The Everywhere Bag that's perfect for overnight trips, quick weekend adventures, and use as a personal item on longer trips. The checked baggage and hardside carry-on luggage pieces are light yet durable and easy to wipe clean. They didn't sustain any dents from our baseball bat tests, but there were a few scratches after we shoved them off a table. There are so many sizes to choose from, including one of our favorite trunks we've ever tested. We liked the dual main compartments, compression systems, expanders, and dirty laundry satchels of the roller bags.

The suitcases were a breeze to maneuver on their 360-degree spinner wheels, and carrying The Everywhere and The Garment Bag was comfortable with the padded shoulder straps. The Garment Bag also has interior padding that keeps all of your longer clothing items protected and helps to minimize wrinkles. Away is certainly not the cheapest luggage brand out there, but it's also far from the most expensive. Considering the 100-day return window, lifetime warranty, and stylish designs, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to pretty much any traveler.

Jasmine Grant, Senior Editor

"I'm partial to hardside luggage, and in my opinion, Away makes the best there is. I've owned Away's The Bigger Carry-On for years, and even loaned it to a family member for her two-week honeymoon in Thailand. It came back to me durable as ever. Each suitcase is well-crafted and built to last. What's equally impressive is the internal organization of their luggage, which helps the perpetual overpacker in me keep track of my things during week-long trips. Make no mistake though — their hardside suitcases are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their impressive lineup of products. They also make some of our favorite toiletry bags, garment bags, duffels, and more. I continue to be impressed by what this brand brings forth every launch."

A perfect choice for organized travelers, Paravel luggage has lots of added features and a sophisticated appeal.

The suitcases don't expand, and the lighter colors are prone to scuffing.

Perfect for organized travelers , Paravel takes the cake for additional features. We loved the dual compartments, many pockets, dividers, and removable laundry bags. While the suitcases don't expand, the compression pads make fitting everything a cinch. The Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus was one of our top carry-on bags thanks to its sleek design, roomy interior that makes packing a breeze, and slick wheels that were great on every surface. We also love the super cute Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack that earned perfect scores in every category, as well as our pick as best overall mini backpack . Not only does the bag fold up small so you can pack it in larger bags, but it also has a high capacity that can even fit a tablet, making it the perfect eye-catching style to wear on any vacation.

Most Paravel luggage pieces held up well during our durability tests, though the lighter-colored hardside models are prone to scuffing. The suitcases are also easy to pull, push, and roll over various flooring materials. What's more, Paravel luggage is undeniably stylish with a sophisticated appeal and a cool mid-century flair. Prices are somewhat steep, but in the end, we think it's worth the investment, especially give its 10-year warranty and 30-day return policy.

Lydia Price, Senior Editor

"I put my luggage through a lot. As a New Yorker, rushing over subway grates, maneuvering thick crowds, and being tossed about in taxi trunks is all in a typical travel day's work for my suitcases. My Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus has been rock-solid through it all. In addition to a hardy build and smooth-glliding wheels, the Aviator won me over with thoughtful organization and a tough zipper that holds up when I need to fit just one more pair of shoes inside. The timeless aesthetic is also a huge draw for me — I have the carry-on in the scout tan color that always feels in style, no matter where I am in the world. I also appreciate the brand's commitment to sustainable practices, like using mostly recycled materials and ensuring production is carbon neutral."

People / Jhett Thompson

Most Spacious

The brand's large-capacity suitcases are impressively spacious yet lightweight, with built-in expanders and smooth-rolling wheels.

The hardside models are prone to scuffing.

Delsey is a go-to for large-capacity luggage . This brand carries both hardside and softside suitcases, including surprisingly spacious carry-ons and checked baggage in multiple sizes so you can find the best design for your needs. We were thrilled by how much they fit, noting that they could easily pack all items on our packing list with room to spare, even without expansion functions.

The suitcases maneuver well on their four spinner wheels, even over carpet, cracks, and bumps. Most models are also lightweight, so lifting them into an overhead bin is no problem. We checked the Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-on and matching Chatelet Air 2.0 Medium Checked bag on four different long-haul international flights and each time they made it to the luggage carousel with only minor scuffs that were easily wiped away. We appreciate Delsey's accessible price points, plus the brand backs its luggage with warranties ranging from five to 10 years along with a 30-day return policy.

Taylor Fox, Editor

"I'll admit: when I'm choosing luggage, I often go for aesthetics over functionality. Lucky for me, I found the Delsey Chatelet collection, which offers both! Every Delsey bag I have adds style and a sense of luxury to my trips, but the bags themselves are also protective with plenty of pockets and features to keep me organized. I have traveled to Egypt, Morocco, and Italy with the Angora Chatelet carry-on and checked bag and they still look great, are easy to clean, and roll like a dream wherever I go."

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Colors

They come in both neutrals and so many colorful designs, including limited-edition options.

Some of the carry-ons are on the smaller size.

You’ll feel like a kid in a candy store with all of the colorful suitcase options from July — and if you tend to gravitate toward neutrals, July has those, too. After we tested over a dozen bags in our lab on on our airplane set, some of our favorites included the July Carry On (includes a portable charger), the July Checked Plus (the largest suitcase in July’s range), the July Checked Plus Light (a great lightweight option), and the July Trunk Set (a stylish, zipperless two-piece set). 

We found the bags to be very durable against our baseball bat tests, although we noticed that the bags with aluminum corner bumpers tended to scuff more easily specifically on the corners. One of our favorite features was that some bags, including the Carry On Pro SnapSleeve , feature a multi-stop telescopic handle that you can adjust to 20 different heights, when many suitcase handles only stop at three heights.

Different bag styles are available in different colorways, and you can choose from delightful shades of blues, greens, pinks, reds, shadow lavender, plum, yellow, sand, and more, most of which will easily stand out on any baggage carousel. We did notice that some of the carry-ons tend to be much more spacious than others, so be sure to check the dimensions to find a size that will fit everything you need. Also, note that while there's a limited lifetime warranty on luggage, there's a five-year warranty on soft bags and accessories and a two-year warranty on small leather goods. All products have a 100-day return policy.

Jackie Cucco, Testing Editor

"I think luggage should be fun, and July has so many eye-catching styles whether you’re team carry-on or checked. I personally have the Checked Plus Light suitcase, which I love for the curved eggshell design that is built for durability and nesting (if you have multiple suitcases from the Light line, you can nest the different sizes inside each other for storage). The smooth wheels made a world of difference when I had to haul the suitcase over cobblestones and zip through airports in a rush, and I can trust that my luggage is going to arrive at my destination in one piece while still looking stylish. It’s also a plus that the prices are reasonable and not too expensive for suitcases that will likely last a lifetime."

Best for Smaller Bags

Calpak luggage is compact yet still spacious enough to hold the essentials, and maneuvering it is a piece of cake.

The two-year warranty is substantially shorter than most other brands.

If you're looking for something you can stash in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, Calpak might be your best bet. We loved the duffles, backpacks, and suitcases with a particular appreciation for the Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage , our best overall underseat bag . We love that it glides smoothly, has a sturdy exterior, and can even fit a laptop, making it perfect for weekend getaways or even business trips.

Even when packed full, we found each Calpak suitcase to roll beautifully on both two wheels and four. The Stevyn Duffel Bag was very comfortable to tote with its shoulder strap and features a separate shoe compartment to keep your items clean if you're in the market for something smaller. Though the two-year warranty is shorter than most other brands, we think Calpak's prices are more than fair (and appreciate the 30-day return policy).

Hillary Maglin, Updates Editor

"I'm always so impressed with how different Calpak is from other brands, yet it's still so durable, spacious, and compliant with airline size limitations. For example, the brand's Ambeur line features thin, lightweight, almost canvas-like hardshells — something I've never seen or felt from any other brand — but they remain dent- and scratch-free through drops and shoves. Another example is the Luka Duffel (my personal favorite Calpak piece), which squishes down nearly flat for storage, all while remaining structured and sturdy enough to carry everything from shoes to a laptop to a water bottle. It almost seems like the construction of Calpak luggage defies logic, but it always holds up to rough luggage handlers and looks stylish in the process."

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Splurge

This splurge-worthy luggage brand boasts expandable main compartments, ample pockets, impact-resistant exteriors, and smooth spinner wheels.

The price might be hard to justify, and the checked bags are somewhat heavy when empty.

If you want the crème de la crème of luggage, Tumi is where it's at . The suitcases and underseat bags fared better than the duffel we tested, but all in all, we were impressed. Our favorite by far is the Alpha International Expandable 4-wheeled Carry-on that looks compact but includes plenty of organizational compartments and even comes with its own removable garment bag. There was plenty of space to pack everything on our list in every Tumi bag, even without the expanders. This brand also stands out for its organizational, smart, and security features. We're talking ample pockets, removable garment bags, laptop sleeves, USB ports, lockable zippers, and TSA-approved locks.

Whether you go softside or hardside, you can count on reliable durability — we even jumped on the bags and rode on top of them and not one feature broke or dented. We observed virtually no scuffs or scratches after whacking the bags with a baseball bat. Tumi luggage is easy to maneuver, thanks to the spinner wheels, but bear in mind the checked sizes are pretty heavy when empty. If you can swing the steep price, we think the brand is an excellent choice for long trips, frequent fliers , and those who like to stay organized, and bags come with a five-year warranty and 30-day return policy.

Morgan Ashley Parker, Associate Editorial Director

"Luggage is an investment and anytime I’m asked what brand I would stand by, I answer Tumi without hesitation. I have items that are nearly 20 years old (!) and, not only do they still work perfectly, I still use them. I love their thoughtful features like carry-ons with a built-in garment bag or suitcases with dual-access to stash a sweater inside, and Tumi's aptly named Just in Case line of foldable bags shouldn't be missed either."

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Most Durable

Briggs & riley.

With ballistic nylon or shock-absorbing polycarbonate exteriors, Briggs & Riley suitcases can really take a beating.

This is one of the more expensive brands, and the checked models are slightly heavy when empty.

The most durable luggage we tested comes from Briggs & Riley . The brand carries softside suitcases with ballistic nylon exteriors that resist premature wear and tear, as well as hardside models with shock-absorbing polycarbonate shells that promise to protect your cargo from getting crushed. We were impressed by how well they stood up to our shoves and bat swings — no dents or scratches to speak of.

Durability aside, Briggs & Riley suitcases roll effortlessly on hard floors and carpet, over bumps, and around tight corners. They also have decent capacities, many with built-in expanders. This is one of the more expensive luggage brands, but it's backed by a lifetime guarantee. We wouldn't be surprised if the suitcases last 10 or more years. Not only that, but there are a few options for remedying potential damage, including self-repair kits, authorized repair centers, or shipping back to Briggs & Riley for a tune-up.

Anna Popp, Associate Editor

"As a member of the checked-bag-only club, I have brought my Briggs & Riley large spinner on more than 30 flights in the last few years and it's been an absolute champion. After watching this suitcase fall off of the conveyor belt leading into the airplane cargo hold, I am convinced that the hardshell material is impermeable when it comes to rough handling. I don't typically bag fragile items in a checked bag (for obvious reasons) but I feel comfortable placing all kinds of products in my checked bag knowing that everything is safeguarded by the durable construction and materials the brand uses. I know the prices are a bit high upfront, but I promise you will spend more in less-durable suitcases over time, which makes it worth it in the long-run."

People / Tamara Staples

Best Design

Thoughtfully designed, each Béis bag we tried comes with extra, often removable, features so you can customize your packing.

These are large bags and we had a hard time fitting some weekenders under airplane seats.

Shay Mitchell's luggage brand quickly won our hearts with each bag's thoughtful design, customizable inserts, and removable compartments. The bags are certainly large and can fit everything you need for a long vacation or quick weekend getaway — just be mindful that not all of the duffel-style bags will work as personal items. The Weekender is one of our favorites: like Mary Poppins' bag of wonders, this tote seems to expand as you pack it, fitting every item on our list.

When it comes to rolling bags, the 29-inch Large Check-in Roller is our best checked bag for organization . Similar to its weekenders, carry-on bags, and backpacks, Béis' check-in bag is huge and can fit everything you need and more. All of the Béis suitcases we tested also sported durable wheels that smoothly navigated different types of surfaces without getting stuck, as well as easy-to-use handles that make running through the airport a breeze. All products are backed with a limited lifetime warranty as well.

Emily Belfiore, Senior Editor

"Once you try a piece of Beis luggage, you’ll immediately wonder how you ever traveled with anything other than these well-designed suitcases. Every item from the brand is meticulously crafted to stand up to the wear and tear of travel and offer the user a hassle-free experience. I’m a big fan of the Beis Carry-on Roller , which has a sturdy hardshell exterior and an expandable body that offers an additional 2 inches of packing space, which is a godsend for an overpacker like me."

Travel + Leisure/

Other Luggage Brands We Liked

Even though these brands did not make our main list, they still have some worthwhile suitcases and bags to consider.

Monos :  Monos items have a nice, sleek look that are generally easy to maneuver. However, when we tested its large check-in suitcase, we found that it carried less items than some of its competitors.

Arlo Skye :  We love this brand's smooth design and stand-out colors, but considering the higher price-point, these bags don't roll quite as smoothly as some other brands.

Roam : We're big fans of Roam's The Check-in hardside suitcase as well as the designs of other Roam bags; however, after one-month of real-world travels, we found these luggage pieces to be more prone to scratching than other brands we tried.

The T+L team has tested more than 508 pieces of luggage, including carry-ons, checked suitcases, duffels, weekenders, garment bags, backpacks, and more in our New York City testing facility. We've tried at least six models from many top-rated brands, performing a range of assessments to evaluate the capacity, maneuverability, durability, design, and overall value. We weighed each bag, then packed it with enough clothes and personal items to get through a four-day trip (more for the larger checked bags).

To see how the luggage would perform in a real-life environment, we rolled them on different flooring materials, across gravel and carpets, over bumps, and around corners. We also threw each piece off a table and whacked it a few times with a metal baseball bat to test for potential wear and tear and how prone it was to scratching or denting. In addition, we recreated an airplane set in our lab, where we hoisted the carry-on suitcases into real overhead bins and stuffed them underneath seats to see how easy they were to lift and how portable they felt.

After lab testing, each suitcase and bag was sent out for real-world testing, and our T+L editors brought the bags on vacations, weekend trips, and overnighters. To test each bag's true durability, convenience, and longevity, we tested each bag on planes, trains, buses, and even cruise ships, checking in after one month, three months, and six months to give our feedback. Considering standout features, size, and price, we created categorized ranked lists of every luggage piece we tested. The luggage brands with the highest average ratings were ultimately chosen for this list of our favorites, which we will continue to update as we test even more luggage.

How We Chose These Brands

The T+L team tested at least six bags per brand on our winners list to ensure a broad sample size. We tested underseat luggage , checked luggage, and carry-on luggage as well as duffel bags, garment bags, and backpacks, and gave each individual bag a score based on its capacity, design, durability, maneuverability, and overall value.

Next, we created rankings based on the total average scores of all the bags we tested for that brand. We also thoroughly read through all of the tester insights on each luggage item from these three tests to evaluate each bag's details and features. Finally, we determined whether or not we would recommend a bag and its overall brand.

Tips for Buying Luggage

Get to know the brand.

When it comes to researching a new luggage brand, you're already well on your way. For more information on a specific brand, you can check out its website, read customer reviews on products you like, or even take a peek at the items in person. Buying new luggage (whether a singular piece or luggage set ) can be a pricey investment, so be sure you like a brand's style, warranty options, and overall quality before you make that purchase. This is especially important when it comes to splurging on luxury luggage pieces .

Know your organizational preferences

Material and size are important, but some of the best luggage brands stand out for their organizational features. This may include dual main compartments, various pockets, a shoe separator, zippered sections, a toiletry bag , a removable laundry bag, a garment bag, a laptop sleeve, and maybe even a USB port with a power bank pouch — some Arlo Skye luggage includes the power bank itself. While it's not a top priority for all travelers, this can make packing and accessing your belongings much easier.

Look for durability

The best luggage stands up to wear and tear for several years to come. Both softside and hardside luggage options can be very durable. It's really a matter of whether you want to safeguard your packed items from getting crushed or protect the exterior of the suitcase from superficial blemishes (though many softside and hardside models we tested check all the boxes).

Think about mobility

You should also think about maneuverability. When you're running into the airport to check your bags before heading to security, you'll want a suitcase that doesn't hold you back. Four-wheel spinner suitcases tend to be easier to pull and push over different surfaces compared to suitcases with just two wheels, and they're even better if they have a sturdy telescoping handle. Grab handles and padded straps are ideal for other types of luggage, and a lightweight design will make your travel experience much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll see a range of hardside and softside models when browsing luggage, and many of the best brands offer both. What you purchase really comes down to personal preference. Some people appreciate how crush-resistant hardside suitcases protect their belongings. They're also easy to wipe clean and have a sleek, modern appearance.

On the other hand, softside suitcases are typically (but not always) lighter in weight and more flexible, so you can often pack more in them. After testing both types, we can tell you they're often just as durable as hardside options, and they won't dent like hardside bags do. Although a textile exterior might be trickier to clean, it can be better at concealing scuffs and dirt. Regardless of the type of luggage, you can find several effective products to clean suitcases available.

Size limits for carry-on luggage vary among airlines . That said, most allow suitcases no larger than 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. Some are a little more strict, with limits set around 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Keep this in mind if your suitcase has an expander, as the additional inch or two could put it over the allowed size limit. We recommend checking the airline's website if you're not sure whether your luggage will pass as a carry-on.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, freelance writer Theresa Holland pored over our in-house testing insights, checked return policies, read the fine print for warranties, and evaluated price ranges to create a comprehensive roundup of the best luggage brands out there today. Theresa has extensive experience writing about travel essentials as well as products in other commerce areas. Our Travel + Leisure team also collaborated to name their personal favorite brands from the hundreds on the market today.

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PGA Tour dreams become reality in weeks at new southern Utah golf course

IVINS, Utah — The Black Desert Championship PGA Tournament in southern Utah is only 22 days away. For some, it's a dream come true to see all this come up from what was just brush and lava rock five years ago.

For one person in particular who grew up in St. George, the tournament will help achieve a dream he thought was impossible.

Jay Don Blake started playing on the PGA Tour in 1987 and ended up playing in 499 events, winning one time at San Diego's Torrey Pines in 1991.

But he always wanted to play in his 500th. No one would give him the chance, until now.

“I was aging out, thinking that this ain't gonna happen so for a while. I just almost forgot about even trying to get to that number,” Blake said. “And then all of a sudden, the stories and the talk about having an event here and I thought, 'Well, man, that's going to be kind of cool.'"

Blake has received a special exception to play in the first PGA Tour event in Utah since 1963. It begins on Oct. 9 at the new resort in Ivins, next to St. George.

There were still plenty of construction vehicles and workers throughout the site and roads were still being paved during a media tour Wednesday. But Black Desert managing partner Patrick Manning, who has spent 20 years and countless city council meetings trying to make his Black Desert vision happen, said it will be ready.

“We're definitely under the gun, but we're not under the gun to have enough done,” Manning said. “Seven restaurants will be open, we'll have a convention center, we'll have over 200 rooms open. It'll be the biggest hospitality offering in southern Utah in three weeks.”

Manning said he has been all about making impossible things happen.

Blake grew up just a mile from what is now the Black Desert Resort and remembers being an 8-year old aspiring golfer playing on the lava rock. In his wildest dreams, he never imagined he would be playing in a PGA Tour event here, let alone his 500th event.

“Nothing was there,” Blake said. “So I wandered all over the hills and valleys and the lava rock and just having fun as a kid, you know, just about a little over half a mile from here. I never thought a golf course would be here at all.”

Black Desert, along with Pebble Beach, is only one of three American courses hosting both men's and women's pro tour events. And like Pebble Beach, the scenery will be the biggest star. Manning said once the golfing world and national TV catches a glimpse at Ivins, it will be inevitable that it will become one of the top stops on the tour, and he's already made overtures to move Black Desert to a more prominent spring spot on the tour.

“These grandstands that you see out here, if we can pull this into the spring, then maybe we can leave all of this up for both the men and the women, and we don't have to put it up and take it down every six months," he said.

For those concerned about traffic issues, the plan is to have specialized parking spaces all over town where people can park and then take a shuttle to the course. They hope this will alleviate any possible traffic concerns.

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A Tour Of Tampa's Devastated 'Suitcase City'

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One of the most poverty and crime-ridden areas in Tampa is now plagued by another scourge: foreclosures. The neighborhood is just west of the University of South Florida, and it's known as "Suitcase City" because of its large transient population.

Some people lost their homes, some were sold mortgages they couldn't afford, others are doing all right but are walking away from homes with values that have dropped below the mortgage.

We took a tour with Sylvia Alvarez, a licensed realtor and executive director of the Housing and Education Alliance, a HUD-certified counseling agency helping the 15,000 homeowners in the Tampa Bay area facing foreclosure.

You need a guide, because as Sylvia explained, most real estate agents don’t display "for sale" signs anymore, because they don’t want the neighborhood to look blighted.

Alvarez took us along streets with abandoned, boarded-up houses and said that there are even alligators in some of the abandoned swimming pools.

"It's taxed the animal shelters, all of the homeless shelters," she told Here & Now 's Robin Young.

We stopped by the home of one woman who said that her house has been in the family for 50 years, but, along with other homes in the neighborhood, it has recently lost most of its value.

"I think everybody's in the same position," she said. "Some subdivisions out in Pasco County had $6-7000 homes that investors bought to flip around and ended up losing a lot of money. And now those good-valued homes are actually like living in a poverty-stricken community. People are losing their jobs, their homes and everything is falling apart."

She says the homes in her neighborhood used to be worth around $120,000, but now they've fallen to values of just $30,000. Still, she plans to stay.

"This is my home," she said.

A man named Miguel, from Haiti, has also seen the value of his home plummet. In 2005 he put down $10,000 for the $200,000 home, but now the value is $60,000.

Alvarez says there is a better solution than the large number of foreclosures and abandonments she sees.

"I think banks need to sell these mortgages in blocks to investors but with requirements on them," she said, "that we're going to discount this mortgage to you, but you in turn have got to discount it to the homeowner. And try to work it out to where the homewowner stays in the house because every foreclosure hurts every other home that's around it."

• Sylvia Alvarez , a licensed realtor and executive director of the Housing and Education Alliance, a HUD certified counseling agency

This segment aired on August 27, 2012.

More from Here & Now

4 Days in Rome: Detailed Itinerary (+Map & 2024 Planning Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 5, 2024

Visiting Rome for 4 days and wondering what to see and how to best plan your time? In this article, we share a perfect itinerary for 4 days in Rome , with maps, essential info, and tips to make the most of your stay in the Eternal City. Find out!

Rome is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy and an absolute must-see! Whether you are planning a city break in Rome or it’s part of a longer trip through Italy, it’s well worth taking a bit more time to explore this beautiful city and not just rush through the main attractions.

This Rome 4 days itinerary brings you to ALL the must-see places in the city . In addition, it also includes quite a few of Rome’s hidden gems , some of the best views in the city , and some amazing underground sites that will make your visit so much more memorable.

We also share hotel and restaurant recommendations and other useful tips that will help you plan a perfect trip and explore the city just a bit deeper than most standard itineraries.

Good to know: We recently spent 4 days in Rome and this itinerary is based on the trip that we did and is very detailed (including suggestions on where to eat or where to find the best gelato, etc.). In this guide, we share our experience-based tips and advice , the tickets we booked and tours we did, what we’d do differently, and why.

It should save you hours and hours of research and help you plan an amazing visit and make the absolute most of your four days in Rome. None of the activities, restaurants, or accommodations are sponsored, so if we recommend something it’s only because we actually liked it.

Top 4 Tickets & Experiences to Book in Advance:

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel .
• Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill .
• Local Food Tour .
• Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs .

TIP: Use this itinerary just as an example of what can be done each day and switch the days around if you have to. Before deciding where to go on which day, be sure to check if all the places you want to visit are open!

For example, we had to adapt our 4-day Rome sightseeing plan because the Vatican Museums weren’t open on the day we wanted to visit.

PRO TIP: For the Vatican and the Colosseum, it’s essential to book your tickets or tours in advance , so be sure to check that first, before planning anything else! If you are planning on visiting top sites on your own, check out this digital Rome Tourist Card . It’s a combined ticket that includes entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica & its Dome.

This card allows you to choose time slots for all the top attractions in one go (so you can immediately see what’s available on which day). It saves you time and money, and it’s simple to use because all tickets are digital.

Below, you will find more information about tickets and tours for these and other sights in Rome.

READ ALSO: Tips for Visiting Rome

How to see the best of Rome in 4 days? With so many landmarks, must-see attractions, and countless interesting sights scattered in and around the city, there’s not one perfect itinerary.

But if you want to see the very best of Rome, this 4-day plan will not disappoint. I spent a lot of time creating this itinerary for our own trip and I’m quite confident that you’ll love it as well! At the bottom of the article, you’ll also find a MAP indicating all the places to see, restaurant suggestions, and even the meeting points of some tours we recommend.

Of course, you can just pick the places that interest you the most, see fewer places, and explore deeper. But this gives you an idea of what to see, how to plan your time, and what can actually be done in four days in Rome.

Good to know: Prepare to walk a lot (wear comfortable shoes!!!) and if you can, make an effort to get up early so that you can see some of the most beautiful places without the crowds. Also, stay in the heart of the city center! We stayed at 9HotelCesari , just a few minutes’ walk from the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. We always stay in this area when visiting Rome – it just makes everything so much easier and more enjoyable.

TIP: If you need airport transfers to/from the city center, you can find all the best options here (by train, bus, or pre-booked taxi).

• DAY 1: Historic Center, Colosseum, several hidden gems, Trastevere
• DAY 2: The Vatican, Food Tour & Jewish Quarter
• DAY 3: Markets, the Pantheon, Galleries, Crypts, Shopping, City Views
• DAY 4: Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs Tour, most interesting churches, Colosseum at sunset
• Map & getting around
• Additional suggestions if you have more time
• Where to stay

Here’s what your four days in Rome could look like:

Day 1: Historic Center, Colosseum, Baths of Caracalla, Aventine Hill, Mouth of Truth, Trastevere

PLANNING TIP: Be sure to book the tickets or the tour of the Colosseum in advance! We did and recommend this all-in tour . If you rather go on your own, you have the choice between regular tickets or tickets that include Arena Floor as well . We recommend the latter as standing on the Gladiator Arena is really special.

Here’s what your first of the 4 days in Rome could look like:

7 – 8 AM: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Breakfast

Start your first day in Rome with an early walk through the city center. I recommend going to see the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain first thing in the morning. These are the most visited landmarks in the center and they are always crowded. But if you come here early, you have a chance of seeing these places without too many people around.

If you stay in the heart of the city center, it’s really easy to see these places without the crowds. Our hotel was so centrally located that we woke up at around 6.30 AM, took a quick shower, dressed, and were at the Trevi Fountain just before 7 AM. It was magical to see it empty and actually be able to enjoy it and take the time to admire this masterpiece!

It’s also nice to see the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda without people. You won’t be able to visit inside the Pantheon this early, but you can come back for that later. If you have a bit more time, you can walk to Piazza Navona and see it without the crowds as well (it’s just a 3-4 minutes walk from the Pantheon, so really not a big detour).

Go back to your hotel for breakfast . Alternatively, you can have breakfast at one of the many cafés in the city center.

READ ALSO: The Best Area to Stay in Rome

8.30 – 10 AM: Piazza Venezia, Capitoline Hill, Via dei Fori Imperiali

Next big stop – the Colosseum . It’s just a 20-30 minutes walk from the city center. You could take a taxi, rent an electrical scooter, or simply walk. We recommend walking because you can see so many other landmarks along the way, especially around Via dei Fori Imperiali .

On your way to the Colosseum, you’ll pass Piazza Venezia . This is a huge and very busy city square with a colossal monument (Altar of the Fatherland) and the equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II. This is one of the must-see places in Rome!

TIP: If you have some extra time, you could visit the monument and take the elevator to the top . The panoramic views are stunning, but it’s not cheap and can take quite some time if it’s busy. Yet, it’s definitely possible to squeeze it in your itinerary if you plan well.

Then, take the wide staircase on the right side of the monument and visit Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio). This staircase and the square were designed by Michelangelo. On top of the stairs, you’ll see impressive palaces that house Capitoline Museums .

With just four days in Rome, you’ll have to be very selective about where to go and what to see. If you want to visit these museums and the Colosseum + Forum Romanum on the same day, it’s definitely possible, but you’ll have to skip most of the other suggestions for this day.

We recommend just passing by here. On top of the hill, check out one of the best viewpoints in Rome , Belvedere di Via Monte Tarpeo which overlooks the Roman Forum. On the other side of the Senatorial Palace, you’ll see a small statue of the Capitoline Wolf . This statue depicts an old legend, according to which a wolf saved and cared for Romulus and Remus, the twins that later founded the city of Rome.

After leaving Capitoline Hill, turn left and walk to the main street – Via dei Fori Imperiali and in the direction of the Colosseum. This road is like a museum in itself – with the Roman Forum on your right, the Forum of Augustus and other historic places on your left, and impressive statues of Roman emperors around you.

10.30 AM – 1.30 PM: Colosseum Tour + Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

If you booked your tickets or a tour of the Colosseum , you can now visit the Colosseum inside. All tickets also include an entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill . So plan on spending the next 2-4 hours here. In fact, the tickets include a few other places, but those are not a must. Just as with so many other places in the city, you could spend the whole day here, but with just 4 days in Rome, we recommend only focusing on the musts.

There are several options for the Colosseum. Most people just get a regular ticket and visit on their own, but you should also know that there is a slightly more expensive ticket that includes Arena Floor . In addition, I recommend visiting the underground level as well. And for that, you need a guided tour.

I’ll spare you all the details about all the ticket and tour options and to keep things short, just say that after lots of research, we booked a tour like this that includes Colosseum (all levels), Palatine Hill, and Forum Romanum . It was absolutely worth it and I highly recommend it.

Good to know: We booked a tour at 10.30 AM. You could also rush and come here first thing in the morning, but it’s ALWAYS busy at the Colosseum anyway, so it won’t really enhance your experience. And if you prebook your tickets in advance, there’s no need to hurry or worry about anything.

Going with a tour, we didn’t have to stress about where exactly to go, which line to stand in (we actually skipped most of the lines except the security check), or where exactly to go once we were inside the Colosseum.

We saw all the levels of the Colosseum – the Underground, the Arena Floor, and all the regular areas accessible to everyone. It was an amazing experience and our guide made it a smooth, informative, and very enjoyable visit.

Afterwards, we walked to the nearby Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum . Once again, it was great to have a guide here. I’ve been to these places before, without a guide, and it’s only now that I realized how much I missed.

These areas are so vast and there’s so much to see that it’s easy to get overwhelmed and miss some of the highlights. Also, the guide tells you stories and anecdotes and helps put things into perspective and better understand what you are seeing. Our tour ended at the Roman Forum, giving us more time to explore it further on our own.

READ ALSO: Guide to Colosseum Levels & Tickets

1.30 – 2.30 PM: Lunch near Colosseum

After all the walking and sightseeing, you’ll want to sit down for lunch! So find a nice restaurant near the Colosseum and enjoy a quiet lunch. We thought that we’d just get something quick for lunch and go on, but it was actually nice to take a break and I highly recommend you do the same!

We headed to the small neighborhood east of the Colosseum – this is where you’ll find lots of restaurants and cafes. And yes, many of them are really touristy, but there are some good places to eat here as well. The biggest problem is finding a table here in the afternoon…

For a quick bite, you could try L’Antico Forno . If you have some time to sit down, check out Trattoria Luzzi . This is one of the most popular and good-value restaurants near the Colosseum, but if you want to find a table here at lunch, try to reserve in advance.

We had lunch at La Pace del Cervello , which didn’t have the best reviews, but had a free table outside and we didn’t want to waste more time looking around. The service was super fast and friendly, the pizza was one of the best we had in Rome, and the prices were very correct as well.

TIP: The best way to find where to eat in Rome is to simply take a look at the reviews on Google Maps of the nearby restaurants and pick a place that looks more local (to start with, no pictures on the menu). But – once again – it’s usually so busy near the Colosseum at lunch that you will be happy to find a free table. And if you just get a pizza and some drinks, as we did, you can’t really go wrong anyway.

3 – 3.30 PM: Baths of Caracalla

If you want to get a bit off the beaten path in Rome, I highly recommend visiting the Baths of Caracalla . Located about 20 minutes walk from the Colosseum, this is one of the most remarkable Ancient Rome sites that most tourists never see. Yet, it’s absolutely worth a visit!

Caracalla Baths were built at the beginning of the 3rd century and were one the largest Roman public baths. It’s a huge complex that used to house several baths, saunas, an Olympic-size swimming pool, sports facilities, and even a library. The baths were heated via a series of underground ovens and it’s absolutely impressive to see how advanced and luxurious this place was.

Nowadays, it’s an archeological site/ outdoor museum. Some parts are still very well preserved and restored, with some stunning mosaics that give you a glimpse of how grand and decorative these baths were.

To us, the Baths of Caracalla is one of the most special places in Rome. And yes, it’s not an absolute must, but I highly recommend including it in your Rome itinerary. This is one of those places that will make your visit more special. And it’s also a nice place to escape the crowds.

Good to know: The Baths of Caracalla are open daily except on Mondays and some public holidays. Here you can find more info and also get tickets online, but it’s not an absolute must – normally, you can just buy a ticket at the entrance. You can also visit here with a tour ; obviously, it’s quite expensive compared to just the ticket price, but going with a guide always gives you a very different perspective.

After visiting the Baths of Caracalla, you could see some of the lesser-known places in Rome . None of these is a must, but nice to do if you don’t mind a lot of walking and have some time to spare. You can visit all of them or just pick the ones that interest you the most.

TIP: You could also rent one of the electric scooters that you’ll find all over Rome for getting to these places. It would make it much quicker and easier.

4 – 5 PM: Pyramid of Caius Cestius and/or Aventine Hill

The Pyramid of Caius Cestus is about 20 minutes walking distance from the Baths of Caracalla, and you pass some very local areas of the city. The Pyramid looks like the ones you see in Egypt and was actually built as a tomb in 18-12 BC. It is possible to visit the Pyramid inside, but it’s only open a few weekends per month and requires an advance booking, but you can just see it from the outside, as we did.

Next to it, there’s also an old 3rd-century city gate, Porta San Paolo , part of the old city walls. There’s a small museum here and you can walk up to the top of the tower for nice views.

Next, head to Aventine Hill . Best known for the Knights of Malta Keyhole , there are also several churches here and the Orange Garden ( Giardino degli Aranci ) offering nice views of Rome.

The keyhole is the main attraction here and it is exactly as it sounds – a keyhole in an old door. But what makes it special is that through it, you can see the view of the green garden pathway with St. Peter’s Basilica perfectly framed in the middle.

This is one of the more popular hidden gems of Rome and often, there’s a long queue of people waiting to look through this keyhole. I’ll let you decide if it’s worth your time waiting in line for it, but a visit to Aventine Hill is worth it either way. The three churches are really interesting to see, especially Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino , and also the city panorama from the nearby gardens is really nice.

5 – 5.30 PM: Mouth of Truth

Finally, head back towards the river and the city center and stop at Santa Maria in Cosmedin church . Here you’ll find the Mouth of Truth ( Bocca della Verita ), a marble face with an open mouth. The legend has it that the mouth will bite off the hand of any liar.

In the past, you could just stop by here, put your hand in the mouth, take a picture, and move on. However, it’s become a very popular tourist attraction, and so also here, you’ll have to stand in a long queue in order to take a picture with your hand in it. There’s now even a small gate, a donation box, and staff keeping an eye on the crowds and regulating ‘traffic’.

We chose not to waste our time in line and took a picture of the mouth through the gate (you can see it from the street). The church itself is also nice to see, and there’s also an underground crypt of Pope Adrian I (8th century) that’s quite interesting as well. If you don’t have to stand in line for the Mouth of Truth, a visit here will only take 5-10 minutes.

6 PM: Trastevere & Dinner

Trastevere is one of the nicest (local) neighborhoods in the center of Rome. The name Trastevere comes from ‘ trans Tiberim ‘, which means ‘beyond the Tiber’. And indeed, it’s located on the other side of the river, just over the bridge from the Mouth of Truth.

This is a really nice area with narrow cobbled streets, colorful houses, countless restaurants, cafes, and bars. If you are looking for a nice place to have dinner, Trastevere is the best foodie area in Rome!

Before heading to dinner, you could also visit a few churches here. The most famous is Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere , located on the most picturesque little square. Don’t miss it!

Also check out Basilica Santa Cecilia in Trastevere – a real hidden gem, best known for the sculpture of St. Cecilia that was originally found in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (and that we recommend visiting – see day 4 of this itinerary).

TIP: If you like exploring with the locals, you could book a food tour of Trastevere . It covers some of the landmarks of the neighborhood, plus you get to taste some delicious food as well. There are normally tours starting at around 5-7 PM, so it’s possible to fit it into this itinerary.

Or simply find a nice restaurant and enjoy a quiet dinner – you definitely deserve it after all the walking! Some of the best places to eat in Trastevere are Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 (close to Basilica St Cecilia) or Osteria Nannarella (close to Basilica St Maria). Be sure to try fried artichoke ( carciofi alla giudea ), one of the local specialties.

Day 2: The Vatican, Food Tour & Jewish Quarter, Historic Center

PLANNING TIP: Be sure to check if the Vatican is open on the day you want to visit and reserve your tickets / tour for the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) online! See below for the best tour suggestions. The tickets are timed and they always sell out at least a few days in advance. Also, be sure that you wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders! Also be sure to book the food tour in advance!

Here’s how you could plan your day:

Early morning: St. Angelo Bridge & Castel Sant’Angelo

If you walk to the Vatican from the city center, you’ll pass the Sant’Angelo Bridge and Castel Sant’Angelo . This area gets crowded during the day, but if you come here early, you’ll be able to enjoy it without the crowds.

TIP: Some of the best views of the St. Angelo bridge with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background are seen from the Umberto I Bridge and the southern side of the river between the two bridges.

Morning: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Together with the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums (where you’ll find the famous Sistine Chapel ) is the most popular tourist attraction in Rome. It’s essential to book your tickets (or a tour) in advance!

Sometimes, if you didn’t think to book in advance and all the regular entrance tickets are sold out, you can still visit with a tour (they have separate access to tickets).

We have been to the Vatican Museums with a tour in the past, and so on this 4-day Rome trip, we just got the regular tickets instead of taking a guided tour. Big mistake! Next time, I’d definitely go with a tour. Here’s why.

Our experience: Once you enter the museums, you find yourself in a beehive with a labyrinth of halls and corridors and staircases… And yes, you get a plan and there are signs pointing to some parts of the museum, but it’s absolutely not clear where to go. All the routes point to Sistine Chapel and so eventually, you do get there (and see a lot along the way), but you have no idea what exactly you are seeing, whether you have missed something or not, and what’s worth it the most…

TIP: So if you want to save yourself all the stress and be sure that you see the best that the Vatican Museums have to offer, consider going with a guided tour . I’m a bit hesitant to recommend a guided tour with the official guide of the museum because we saw lots of frustrated people inside who were sent from one place to the other, looking for the official group tours. Instead, you can book a tour with one of the local companies (see below). That way, you meet your guide outside, enter the museums together, and can actually relax and enjoy your visit.

Here are 3 of the best tours of the Vatican:

• Early Entry to the Vatican & the Sistine Chapel . If you want to see the Sistine Chapel at its quietest , this is the best tour. It starts very early but gives you an extraordinary experience, incomparable to any regular daytime tours. In addition, this tour visits St. Peter’s Basilica and enters it directly through the museum saving you lots of time.
• Skip-the-Ticket-Line Vatican Tour and Sistine Chapel . This is the most popular (and great value) tour of the Vatican Museums & St Peter’s Basilica. A good alternative to visiting on your own.
• Early morning tour that includes everything + the dome . This tour includes ALL the musts of the Vatican : St. Peter’s Basilica with a visit to the underground crypts and the dome climb + the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE: VIP Key Master’s Tour – on select days, it’s possible to visit the Sistine Chapel with a Key Master as he opens the galleries of the Vatican Museums. You spend two hours inside with just a handful of people in your group – it’s a very unique experience (but also with a very high price tag and limited availability). A similar tour is also available through this company but it’s only bookable once or twice a month.

Good to know: The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, except on the last Sunday of the month when they are also free to visit (expect even bigger crowds if you visit on a free day). The museums are also closed on most religious holidays and on some other occasions.

When you pre-book your tour or tickets, you’ll immediately see if the date of your choice is not available, and can adjust your itinerary at that time.

Noon: Lunch near the Vatican

After your visit to the Vatican Museums, you’ll definitely want to sit down and rest your legs. All that slow walking is really tiring…

There are several restaurants and a café inside the Vatican museums, so you could have lunch there. But there are also quite a few nice restaurants in the nearby neighborhood. We chose to dine at one of the local restaurants.

We had lunch at La Locanda di Pietro , just a few minutes walk from the museum. It’s a very nice local restaurant with very friendly staff and truly good food. There are quite a few good restaurants in this area. For low-key simple Italian dishes, check out Ristorante dei Musei , or – if you prefer something different- head to La Cucaracha which serves Mexican food.

TIP: Try to go for lunch at around noon. When we visited, most restaurants were still quiet at 12, but half an hour – an hour later, there were hardly any free tables left (and only inside).

1.30 – 4 PM: St. Peter’s Square & Basilica

Unless you book a tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica together, I recommend visiting St. Peter’s in the afternoon. In fact, the later in the afternoon you go, the quieter it usually is.

We booked this tour of the Basilica that included a Dome Climb and the Underground , and it started at 2 PM. So after lunch, we headed to St. Peter’s Square , explored it a bit on our own, went to see the Swiss Guards , and sent some postcards from the Post of the Vatican .

At 2 PM, we met our guide and waited for about 15-20 minutes (security line) to enter the Basilica. The lines weren’t nearly as bad in the afternoon as they were in the morning. While you don’t really need a guide to visit the church (and the entrance is free of charge), we actually enjoyed having a guided tour here. Our guide told us so many stories and explained so many things that we would have totally missed otherwise (and actually did miss on the previous visits here).

TIP: If you go without a tour, consider getting an audioguide – that way, you can better appreciate what you are seeing.

We then visited the crypts where some of the Popes are buried. You can also see St. Peter’s Tomb here, but only the tomb that’s officially accessible to the public (the actual St. Peter’s tomb is located yet deeper under the Basilica and can only be visited with official Vatican tours if/when they run and are very limited in numbers).

After exploring the church, you can opt to go to the top of the Dome . Our tour included this, but if you go on your own, you can do this as well. The entrance is located on the far right side of the church and you can buy a ticket here. You can opt for the stairs or the elevator. We suggest taking the elevator to the rooftop because you’ll still have to do over 330 steps to the actual top of the Dome.

A visit to St. Peter’s Dome is one of the most special things you can do at the Vatican. So if you are fit enough for the 330 stairs (up and then down again), don’t miss it! Not only can you see the rooftop of the Basilica and stunning views of the Vatican and the city from the Dome, but you also get to walk inside the actual dome with the whole church right under your feet. People look like little ants from this height and you realize once more how colossal the building is.

A very unique experience!

4.30 PM: Campo de’ Fiori

After the Vatican, head back to the city center and walk to Campo de’ Fiori . It’s about 25-30 minutes walk.

Campo de’ Fiori is one of the nicest town squares in Rome and a bustling market. Visiting here in the afternoon, you can actually see the square and not just umbrellas and the food stalls.

In the center of the square, you can see a statue of Giordano Bruno . He was a 16th-century philosopher who was burned here for his progressive thinking.

However, it’s also a special experience to see the Campo de’ Fiori market when it’s open. So if there’s no market anymore when you visit here in the afternoon, I recommend coming back here the next morning as well. See more info on day 3 of this itinerary.

5 – 8 PM: Street food tour & Jewish Quarter

The street food tour was one of the best experiences of our 4-day visit to Rome. If you want to discover a more local side of Rome, I highly recommend taking a food tour! It’s such a great way to get a bit off the beaten path and taste some local specialties.

We’ve been to Rome many times before, but we still learned new things, tasted some of the most delicious food, and saw some places we would have never seen on our own.

We took this highly-rated food tour and I can highly recommend it! The tour starts at 5.15 PM at Piazza del Biscione, which is a tiny town square right at the northeastern corner of Campo de’ Fiori. Be sure to check the starting times and location at the time of your visit, in case something would have changed!

On this tour, you visit a traditional food store from the 19th century and still run by the same family, have Roman pizza, and try other regional specialties at several excellent local restaurants. Our tour also included a tasting of Italian wine, local beer, and delicious gelato. They can also cater to people who have special dietary requirements and, of course, alcoholic drinks can be replaced by water or soft drinks.

We also passed some really nice local areas and also visited the Jewish Quarter (Ghetto) . Together with Trastevere and Testaccio (a bit further away from the center), this is one of the best neighborhoods for food in Rome. If you are still hungry after the tour (can’t imagine you would be, but you never know), this is a nice place to come back for dinner. Or come here at another time, as we did.

The tour also visits Largo di Torre Argentina and ends close to the Pantheon. It takes about 2.5 hours.

LEARN MORE: Rome Street Food Tour: Review & Tips

Evening: Explore the historic city center in the dark

If you still have some energy afterwards, walk around the city center and see Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain nicely lit in the dark .

How dark it actually is will, of course, depend on the season when you visit. In November, it gets dark at 5 PM, whereas in June, it stays light until after 9 PM.

TIP: If you still have some space left for another gelato, check out Giolitti or Gelateria Della Palma – these are the two best places for ice cream in Rome. We stopped for ice cream here every time we were around…

We ended our day with some drinks on the beautiful rooftop terrace of our hotel . I think you can also come here for drinks even if you are not a guest at the hotel, but I’m not 100% sure. The drinks are quite expensive compared to the prices at the nearby restaurants though. But if you aren’t having dinner (not likely you’ll still be hungry after the food tour), it’s actually not easy to find a restaurant that will want to seat you just for the drinks. So for that, this bar is perfect.

Day 3: Campo de’Fiori, Pantheon, Doria Pamphilj, Capuchin Crypt, Villa Borghese, Terrazza del Pincio, Piazza del Popolo, Shopping, Spanish Steps

PLANNING TIP: Reserve your tickets or a tour of the Borghese Gallery in advance! You may also want to prebook a timed-entry slot for the Pantheon .

Early morning: Campo de’Fiori

In the past, a field of flowers (thus the name), nowadays Campo de’ Fiori is a bustling food market. The market is open Monday to Saturday, usually from around 7 AM to 2 PM.

The market is really touristy, but locals shop here as well. You’ll find stalls selling fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, pasta, Italian limoncello (and other colorful drinks), and also flowers.

It’s always a nice place to visit when in Rome. The market is lively and colorful, you can buy all kinds of food, fruit, and also stock up on some (edible) gifts to take home.

9 AM: Pantheon

You will have passed the Pantheon several times by now, but it’s one of those places that you really should visit inside. Seeing the famous dome with a hole (oculus to the sky) in the middle is a must when visiting Rome!

Originally built in 27 BC and rebuilt in the 2nd century, the Pantheon is probably the best-kept monument from the old Roman times. The name ‘Pantheon’ means ‘temple of all the gods’ and – originally – it was a pagan temple indeed. In 609, Roman emperor Phocas gifted the Pantheon to the Pope, and it was turned into a church. This is one of the reasons why it’s still so well preserved.

A visit to the Pantheon doesn’t require much time. However, it’s always busy here, so if you don’t want to waste too much time, be sure to come here well before it opens.

Good to know: Nowadays, there is an entrance fee to visit the Pantheon. It’s also possible to book a timed-entry ticket in advance, however, getting the earliest time slots is not easy. You may want to check the official website and also Tiqets and GetYourGuide to see what’s available for your travel dates. In any case, keep in mind that you have to pick up the actual ticket at an external location (they do like to complicate things more than necessary…).

Alternatively, you can just stand in line and hope to get in without too much of a wait (in that case, arrive at least half an hour before it opens). Or make it easy for yourself and book a guided tour (likely later than 9 AM though, so you’ll have to adjust this itinerary accordingly).

10-11 AM: Doria Pamphilj Gallery

One of the hidden gems right in the historic city center, Doria Pamphilj Gallery is a private art collection that belongs to the princely Doria Pamphilj family. This is one of the largest and most impressive private art collections in Rome and it’s open to the public.

This vast art collection was started in the 16th century and contains a large number of paintings, furniture, and sculptures. You can see various works by Caravaggio, Raffaello, Velázquez, and many other famous Italian artists. But what makes it truly special is the sheer number of pieces of art covering the walls from the floor all the way to the ceiling.

TIP: Be sure to pick up an audio guide at the entrance (included with your ticket). It’s a great way to learn more about the palace, the art collection, and the family behind it. The English narrative is spoken by Jonathan Doria Pamphilj, and he shares some fun stories and anecdotes about the family as well.

Good to know: Doria Pamphilj Gallery is located in a 17th-century Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, about halfway between the Pantheon and the Trevi fountain, about 7 minutes walk from either of the two. It’s open daily from 10 AM. Their website says that you need to prebook the tickets in advance (and they are non-refundable). In the low(ish) season, we were able to visit without an advance booking. During busy times, you may have to wait for a while if you don’t have a reservation.

TIP: If you want to be sure to visit when you want to, but also have the flexibility to cancel, you can book cancelable tickets here .

11 AM: Galleria Sciarra

As you walk from Doria Pamphilj Gallery to the Capuchin Crypt (about 15 min walk), you’ll pass another nice secret gem of Rome, Galleria Sciarra . Located just steps from the famous Trevi Fountain, this beautiful place is completely overlooked by most tourists.

Galleria Sciarra is a small glass-covered gallery/patio with beautiful frescos pained on all the buildings surrounding the courtyard. It dates from the late 19th century and is a fine example of the Art Nouveau style.

Good to know: The courtyard is always open, accessible, and free. A visit here only takes a minute or two, so definitely take a look inside!

11.20 – 11.50 AM: Capuchin Crypt

If you like quirky places, you may want to check out another interesting hidden gem of Rome, the Capuchin Crypt (Museo e Cripta dei Frati Cappuccini).

The 500-year-old monastery houses a small museum telling more about the Capuchin monks and the history of the friary. But the main highlight are the underground crypts that contain really special and artistic creations made of human skeletons.

We’ve been to several bone chapels in various places in Europe in the past, but this one really stands out from the rest. There are several different crypts, each with its own unique ‘composition’, and it’s fascinating to see how someone created real art from human bones… It doesn’t even feel creepy or spooky, but more artsy…

Good to know: Capuchin Crypt is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM, except on some public holidays, and you can just get a ticket at the entrance. More information on their website . They have an audio guide available and also run guided tours.

Lots of organized city tours include a visit here together with some other crypts and catacombs visits in Rome. But if you just want to see the crypts and the museum on your own, 20-30 minutes is more than enough time here.

12 – 1.30 PM: Lunch

After visiting the Capuchin Crypt, continue in the direction of Villa Borghese Gardens (about 10 minutes walk to the entrance of the park or 15-20 minutes walk to the gallery).

On the way, you’ll pass several restaurants. If you are feeling nostalgic for some American food, you can stop at the Hard Rock Café.

Alternatively, there are plenty of local restaurants as well. If you don’t mind splurging a bit and are looking for something special, check out the historic Harry’s Bar . And there are lots of other cheaper and simpler places to eat in this area.

2 – 5 PM: Borghese Gallery & Gardens

Villa Borghese is a large landscaped garden, one of the biggest and most beautiful public parks in Rome. There is a lot to see and do in the park and you could easily spend half a day here, but the most famous place is the Borghese Gallery .

If you are interested in art, this is one of the best museums to visit in Rome ! Here, you can see a big collection of masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, Canova, and many others. Also, the interior of the palace is absolutely impressive!

Good to know: The Borghese Gallery is very popular, the tickets are timed, and usually sell out long in advance (especially if you are visiting in high season). So if you want to be sure to visit here, it’s essential to reserve your tickets in advance!

You can opt for a regular entrance ticket , and there are also guided tours available that cover the museum as well as the beautiful gardens. A tour might actually be a good idea here since the gardens are really large and there’s a lot to see.

Alternative suggestion: If you are not interested in the museum or the gardens, or want to see as much as possible and don’t mind walking quite a bit more, you could also visit the Quartiere Coppedè nearby.

It’s a small neighborhood with some of the most special architecture you can find in Rome. You can read more about it in our guide to Rome’s hidden gems .

This beautiful but rather compact neighborhood is located about 20 minutes walk from Villa Borghese (so you need about 1 hour in total to walk there and back and see the highlights). However, if you could rent an electric scooter, you could probably visit in about 30 minutes.

It’s also easy to combine it with a visit to the Coppede district and that of the Borghese Gallery. It really depends on your interests and how much you are willing to walk.

5.30 PM: Terrazza del Pincio

Terrazza del Pincio is a popular viewpoint offering nice views of Piazza del Popolo, the city center of Rome, and St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance. This is a popular place to come at sunset too.

There are, in fact, two viewpoints here and the views are nice from both (the other one doesn’t have an official name and is located right under Terrazza Viale del Belvedere, but is often confused with Pincio Terrace). Anyway, I indicated them both on our map.

These viewpoints are located about 15-20 minutes walk from the Borgese Gallery, and the walk through the park is really nice in itself.

From Terrazza del Pincio viewpoint right above Piazza del Popolo, take the stairs on the right side and walk down to this town square.

READ ALSO: Best Views & Viewpoints in Rome

6 – 7 PM: Piazza del Popolo & Shopping Streets

Piazza del Popolo (the People’s Square) is one of the largest and best-known town squares in Rome. Located at the Aurelian city walls, there’s still an impressive city gate here.

If you are coming from the hill at Terrazza del Pincio, the city gate will be on your right. If you want to experience the ‘wow’ effect of the square as first-time visitors to Rome did in the past, you can walk through it and come back to the square that way, but it’s really impressive either way.

Piazza del Popolo is a place where three big streets come together. In the center of the square, you can see an Egyptian Obelisk and the Fountain of the Lions . There are two other fountains with impressive statues at the sides of the square. And it’s also flanked by two impressive churches Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto .

The area to the south of Piazza del Popolo is one of the most popular shopping neighborhoods in Rome . You’ll find all kinds of fashion stores here – from the cheaper main street brands to the most expensive designer stores like Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Tiffany & Co, and pretty much any other big name in the fashion industry.

The most famous shopping streets are Via del Corso (popular brands) and Via dei Condotti (high-end designer shops), but the whole area is really a shoppers’ paradise. If you are more interested in sightseeing than shopping, check out Via Margutta . It’s a very picturesque and much quieter street that became famous thanks to the film Roman Holiday .

Good to know: Most stores here are open until 7.30-8 PM, but if you are planning to do some shopping here, you’ll probably want to come earlier. You could easily spend an entire day here too, but with just 4 days in Rome, I’d only come here to do some window shopping.

7.30 PM: Piazza di Spagna, Spanish Steps & Dinner

Piazza di Spagna and the famous Spanish Steps is one more of the ‘must-see’ landmarks in the historic city center that you really shouldn’t miss in Rome.

Surrounded by all the shopping streets, this is a very popular area that’s always crowded. In the summer, it’s often difficult to even see the staircase through the crowds. It is now, therefore, forbidden to sit or eat on the stairs.

If you take the staircase up, you’ll be walking in the direction of the Villa Borghese Gardens that you visited earlier today. At the top, there’s also a church – Trinità dei Monti – and you could visit inside if it’s still open.

But, frankly, the stairs are the most impressive when seen from the bottom and the interior of the church is not that special. There are some nice viewpoints at the top, but if you already visited Terrazza del Pincio viewpoint before that, going up the stairs is not really a must. Unless you are here at around sunset and want to see some nice twilight views from above – in that case, definitely go up.

TIP: For dinner with a view, check out Caffè Ciampini di Marco Ciampini , a short walk to the left at the top of the stairs. Otherwise, you will find lots of nice restaurants in the historic city center. I indicated a few nice restaurants on the map.

Day 4: Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs tour, San Giovanni in Laterano, St. Clement Basilica, Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, Colosseum at sunset

PLANNING TIP: Book this e-bike tour in advance (possible for all ages). If biking isn’t your thing, this bus/ walking tour has a very similar itinerary and takes less time, but – at least at the moment, it only runs a few times a week and only in high season. Also, keep in mind that St. Callixtus Catacombs are closed on Wednesdays. You can still do the e-bike tour, but you’ll likely visit the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian instead.

9 AM – 3 PM: E-bike Tour of the Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs

On the fourth day in Rome, we recommend that you get a bit outside the city and visit some of the ancient Roman sites nearby. The main highlights that are worth it the most are the Appian Way , the Park of the Aqueducts , and the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (or the nearby Catacombs of Saint Sebastian).

Hands down, this was one of our favorite days of the 4-day visit to Rome! So if you are comfortable on an e-bike, I highly recommend considering this tour .

There are other similar bike tours as well, but we chose this one because it has the most complete itinerary, includes (delicious warm) lunch, uses good quality electric mountain bikes, and has the best reviews. Also (take my word for this), you really don’t want to do the Appian Way with a regular bike!

I’m not going to list the complete itinerary of this tour, but below are some pictures that will give you a short overview of what you can expect to see. Since you go with a local guide, you have nothing to plan or worry about. Just enjoy the day and soak in the incredible 2000-year-old sights.

We loved every minute of this tour and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Also, my teenage son said that it was the absolute best thing we did on the entire trip (and he really enjoyed the rest of Rome as well, with the food tour on day 2 of this itinerary being his second favorite).

3.30 – 4 PM: Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Just 10 minutes walk from where your bike tour ends, you can visit the main church of the city, the Cathedral of Rome, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano . It is this church (and not the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican) that is considered as the ‘Cathedral of Rome and of the World’. The Pope is the reigning bishop of the city of Rome.

The reasoning behind this is quite simple – while the Pope stands above the cardinals and the bishops, St. Peter stands above the Pope. So St. Peter’s Basilica is a whole other league compared to any other church, and Rome – just as any other city – deserves its own cathedral, of course.

Anyway, the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano is absolutely impressive. The cathedral is massive, very richly decorated, and the statues of the Apostles inside are just as majestic as the ones at St. Peter’s. In the middle, you can also see the tomb of Pope Martino V , and on the far left corner of the church, there’s an entrance to a 13th-century cloister . You have to pay a few euros to visit here, but consider it as a donation to the church and be sure to check it out.

It took me quite a few visits to Rome before I finally made the time to visit this church, and I can tell you that it’s absolutely worth a detour. And since the bike tour ends just nearby, it’s really easy to add it to your 4-day Rome itinerary. A visit is free of charge, and it’s incomparably quieter here than at the Vatican.

TIP: While you can visit the Cathedral itself for free, you need a ticket to visit the cloisters. You can get this all-in ticket which includes everything there is to see at the Basilica and at the Scala Sancta across the street (more info below).

4 – 4.15 PM: Scala Santa

Just across the street from the Basilica, there’s one more little-known gem of Rome, Scala Santa (the Holy Stairs ). This is a small catholic sanctuary with a papal chapel and three impressive staircases leading to it. The middle of the three staircases is the Holy Stairs.

According to a Christian tradition, Jesus Christ climbed these stairs before his crucifixion . It’s believed that these stairs have been brought from Jerusalem to Rome in the 4th century. This staircase is considered sacred and is reserved for pilgrims who come here to pray and climb to the top on their knees hoping for a plenary indulgence. Millions of people have climbed these stairs on their knees, including many popes.

On top of the right staircase, there is a nice chapel, with an adjacent smaller papal chapel in the middle.

The papal chapel Sancta Sanctorum (the Holy of the Holies) itself is normally closed to the public and can only be seen through a small opening at the end of the middle stairs. It was exceptionally open when we visited, but I’m not sure if it will remain open to the public in the future. It contains lots of relics, some of which have been moved to the Vatican.

Even if you can’t visit the Holy of the Holies, a visit here is more than worth a few minutes of your time. The staircases are really impressive and so is the bigger chapel. And you can see the other one through a small opening too.

Good to know: Scala Santa is open daily in the morning and in the afternoon. There’s no fee to enter and no reservations are needed and you only need a couple of minutes. If you want to visit the papal chapel of Sancta Sanctorum (and it’s open), there’s a small fee (or you can get this ticket for the Cathedral and the Holy Stairs, as mentioned before). You can find more info about this sacred place and the opening times on their website .

4.30 – 5 PM: St. Clement Basilica

After a visit to Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano and the Holy Stairs, walk back in the direction of the Colosseum, and be sure to stop at St. Clement Basilica . From the outside, it might look just like any other of 900+ churches in Rome, but it houses a lot of secrets inside. This is one of the most unique places you can visit in Rome ! Yet, despite its proximity to the Colosseum, only very few tourists know about it or ever come here.

St. Clement Basilica was constructed in the 12th century. With its cozy interior and beautiful mosaics, it looks really nice, but – not that special, you’d think. There are tens of other very similar churches all over the city…

What makes it extraordinary is that underneath there’s an archeological site containing two underground levels. Right under the church, there’s the original Basilica, built in the 4th century. AND – yet another level deeper – there are 1st and 2nd- century buildings used by the members of the cult of Mithras. This seemingly ordinary church actually has three layers that literally take you back in time through centuries of Roman history.

There are several places in Rome where you can literally touch the 2000-year-old walls, but this is probably one of the most authentic sites (it probably feels like that because there are very few tourists) AND it’s so easy to visit! You don’t need any advance reservations, there are no queues, and it’s just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum! So even if you are not doing the bike tour and plan your Rome itinerary differently, you could easily come here when you are visiting the Colosseum.

Good to know: The Basilica’s Archeological Excavations are open daily except on Christmas Day. You can check up-to-date info for the opening times and buy a ticket on their website . Or pay a few euros more and simply get a ticket at the entrance. Kids under 16 are free of charge.

5.15 – 6 PM Domus Aurea

Domus Aurea , aka the Golden House of Emperor Nero, is located just next to the Colosseum and is well worth a visit as well. It’s an ancient archeological underground site where you can see the remains of the extravagant villa built by Nero after the Great Fire in 64 AD had destroyed a large part of the city.

The Golden House was huge, with over 200 rooms, pavilions, gardens, and even an artificial lake in the center, and was built to impress and entertain.

The most remarkable feature was the Octagonal Room with five rooms around it and waterfalls cascading down the walls. The main dining hall – the Octagonal Hall itself – has a big concrete dome with an oculus which is believed to have inspired the architecture of the Pantheon. This room also had a revolving floor – an impressive engineering achievement at that time.

Nero wasn’t loved and his impressive palace was looted and destroyed soon after his death. It was covered in earth and several other structures were built on top of it, including the Baths of Trajan and Titus. The Colosseum was built at a place where Nero’s lake used to be and it also got its name from the Colossus statue that used to stand at the entrance of Domus Aurea.

Good to know: Domus Aurea is normally open daily until 6.30 PM. However, at the moment of writing, it’s only open on the weekends and just a few hours a day. All visits are guided and normally also include a VR experience that gives you a good insight into how grand this palace was. Since it’s an underground site, it’s quite cold inside so you may want to take a sweater.

If you absolutely want to visit here, check the current opening times and reserve your tickets in advance. Normally, you can find info and reserve the tickets on this website , but it’s not always updated and can be somewhat unclear too. In the low season, you could probably just walk to the entrance and see if there are tickets available too. And otherwise, check out this organized tour – they’ll only show the dates and the times when a visit is actually possible.

6.15 – 6.30 PM: Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli

Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli is a 5th-century church best known for its relic – the chains of St. Peter and Michelangelo’s statue of Moses that is part of the tomb of Pope Julius II.

Normally, a visit is free of charge and the church is open daily until 7 PM. It’s located just 5 minutes walk from the Colosseum in the direction of the city center. Well worth a few minutes of your time.

TIP: After leaving the church, go to the right and you’ll find a small passage with a staircase on via San Francesco di Paola. It’s a nice hidden gem. If you walk to the center, you can continue via this staircase. Alternatively, head back to the Colosseum for sunset.

Sunset at the Colosseum

Depending on the time of the year (and the time of the sunset), you might find yourself close to the Colosseum at around twilight .

Seeing this landmark in a different light (and usually without the crowds of daytime visitors) might be a nice way to end your Rome city trip.

This itinerary is based on our most recent visit to Rome in November . At that time, the sunset was around 5 PM. So we came to the Colosseum after a visit to St. Clement Basilica, and could indeed enjoy the beautiful light. It wasn’t busy either.

There are many restaurants in the Colosseum area too, so you could have dinner here. We walked in the direction of the Jewish Quarter – there are some really good restaurants serving traditional Italian food here, but you have to reserve most of them in advance, definitely in the high season.

Here are some restaurant suggestions for this area that we got from our food tour guide: Giggetto , Sora Margherita , or Al Pompiere Roma (for local Roman dishes), Emma (for pizza and Roman appetizers).

Since the other restaurants opened for dinner even later, we went to Emma’s and were glad to get one of the last available tables (had no idea it would be fully booked on a weekday in November).

Map & Getting Around

Below, you can see a map of this 4-day Rome itinerary .

It contains all the places mentioned in this article, including restaurant suggestions. You can save this map to your phone and use it during the trip. To make it easier, we used four different colors – one per day.

Getting around: For this itinerary, we simply walked everywhere (except for the airport transfers and the e-bike tour, of course). This is definitely doable if you stay in the city center, plan well, and wear very comfortable shoes. However, prepare to walk A LOT .

You could also cover some of the bigger distances by public transport (buses, metro), take a taxi , or – probably the easiest and quickest – rent an electric scooter . They are scattered all over Rome and it looked like it shouldn’t be a problem to find one where and when you need it. Just drive carefully because the traffic is crazy.

LEARN MORE: Rome Airport Transfers

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

If you have more time

If you have more than 4 days in Rome, you could, of course, take it easier and visit some of the places we indicated in our itinerary on different days. There are also many more museums, churches, etc.

However, if you want to make the most of your visit , I recommend booking a few day tours that take you outside the city.

Here are some of the most popular options for the best day trips from Rome :

• Villa D’Este & Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli
• Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius OR Pompeii & Amalfi Coast
• Tuscany Taster Tour: Day Trip with Lunch & Wine
• Florence & Pisa in a Day

Where to stay for 4 days in Rome

For this 4-day Rome itinerary, we recommend staying in the heart of the historic city center. Our favorite area to stay in Rome is around Pantheon, but pretty much anywhere between Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain is great.

Staying here, you can easily walk to the main landmarks, and pretty much all the main areas of interest are within 15-30 minutes walking distance.

Here are some of the best-rated hotels close to the Pantheon for all budgets (although low-budget options are scarce in this area):

• €€€€€+ The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, Autograph Collection (a very luxurious 5* boutique hotel).
• €€€€ 9Hotel Cesari (a very centrally located 4* hotel; this is where we stayed).
• €€€ Hotel Navona (a popular 3* hotel).
• €€ Hotel Primavera (highly-rated 2* hotel; one of the best lower-budget choices in the historic center).

READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Rome

So, this is our 4 days Rome itinerary. I hope that all the time indications and the details will help you plan an unforgettable trip to the Eternal City and explore a bit deeper, beyond the main attractions.

Have a great trip!

TIP: If you are looking for more information and tips for your trip to Rome , be sure to check out this article with Rome travel tips for your first trip . It contains all the useful info and info that will help you plan a more enjoyable visit. Take a look!

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Rome

More travel inspiration for Rome:

• Hidden gems of Rome
• Where to eat in Rome
• 1 day in Rome
• 2 days in Rome
• Best views in Rome
• Best underground sites in Rome

TIP: If you are visiting Italy for the first time and are wondering where to go and how to plan your time, check out this Italy trip itinerary that includes all the must-sees.

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

More travel inspiration for Italy:

• Best places to see in Italy
• Best towns to visit in Italy
• Best Sights & Attractions in Venice
• Best Things to Do in Florence
• Best Things to Do in Milan
• Best Things to Do in Siena
• Best Things to Do in Bologna
• Best Things to Do in Verona
• Best Things to Do in Naples
• Best Things to Do in Ravenna
• Best Things to Do in Montepulciano
• Best Things to Do in Como
• Best Things to Do in Rimini
• One Day in Venice
• Three Days in Venice
• One Day in Milan
• One Day in Florence
• One Day in Cinque Terre
• One Day in Naples
• Florence to Bologna: Travel Info & Itinerary
• Bellagio (Italy)
• Tuscany itinerary
• Amalfi Coast itinerary
• Emilia Romagna itinerary
• Dolomites itinerary
• …. For many more destinations, be sure to check our Italy travel guide . It contains an overview of all our articles for a wide variety of popular places all over Italy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

John Signorelli

Sunday 15th of October 2023

I used the information here to plan my recent trip to Italy. This article was great (as was every article you have on Italy). If anyone is wondering to plan your trip yourself and use this article or to use a tour company, I have zero complaints about what I learned from Jurga for our trip.

Our next trip will be to Athens, but I didn't see an article on that - can't imaging planning my visit without your advice.

Monday 16th of October 2023

Thank you for your feedback on this and all those other articles where you left comments, John. It's always great to hear from our readers who use the information on our blog on their trips! As for Athens, unfortunately, I still haven't been there. And other trips to Greece are from so long ago that it wouldn't make sense to write about it anymore... So I'm afraid I can't help you much with that. But we have many other destinations covered on our blog if you are looking for some trip inspiration for the future. I can highly recommend you look into visiting Portugal one day. We now go there several times a year and absolutely love it every time. If you were to return to Italy, southern Italy and especially the area around Naples - Amalfi Coast is also incredibly beautiful with lots of very interesting sights. Happy travels!

Monday 17th of July 2023

Hi there, I've been trying to book tickets for collesium, forum and palatine Hill priority entrance + arena floor on tiqets website but it says hi there early bird, tickets are unavailable. I am planning trip next month and am trying to book before too late for non tour tickets due to health reasons I can't do tour because of frequent restroom breaks... is there another site to buy same ticket without tour including arena floor? I can't get a hold of anyone on their website. Thanks.

Tuesday 18th of July 2023

Hi Sam, the Colosseum tickets are normally released 30 days in advance and it's indeed, the best time to buy them - as soon as they are available for your travel date. This summer, things have been crazy. A few weeks ago, there was no availability at all; from mid-August things look a bit better. The official site is coopculture, but it's not really user-friendly, so we personally never use it. We recommend using either Tiqets or GetYourGuide for all your tickets in Rome. When the tickets are released, they are normally available on all these websites at the same time. But you can always check the official site in case they release them a bit earlier. As said, this summer has just been crazy for the Colosseum tickets. That said, I still highly recommend going with a tour if you can manage it. So many people tell me they regret not doing a tour because it wasn't always clear where to go, they missed certain parts but were not allowed to backtrack, etc. etc. Hope this helps.

Saturday 17th of June 2023

I love your blog. This itinerary will be so helpful as we are going to Rome for four days this August. Can you advise me on the following: I arrive at 8 a.m. and can't check into my air bnb until the afternoon. Do you know of a place to store our luggage so we don't waste our first day waiting to check in?

Hi Jill, upon arrival at the airport, take a train or a bus to the central station (see all the options explained in our Rome airport transfers article). Once at the station, you could use this highly-rated luggage storage for your bags. PS One more thing for this summer. The Colosseum tickets are practically impossible to get these days. So be sure to book a guided tour asap if you want to be sure to go inside (see our guide to Colosseum tickets for more info). Rome is very busy at the moment. Have a great trip!

Monday 22nd of August 2022

Hi Jurga, I like your itinerary very much. Thank you for all the info. For Colosseum ticket, it includes Roman Forum and Palatine Hill also. Are there separate entries for the Forum and Palatine Hill? Can I go to the Forum first, get out to have lunch, then go Palatine Hill, and then see Colosseum at the last? Is this doable? The morning tickets are sold out, and no re-entry allowed, but I have to get out to have lunch, then enter to another, I wonder how they handle one ticket for three places. Thank you! -Chen

Hi Jurga, Thank you so much! Booked 12:30 tickets. I got another question. For Appian way, if I walk/hike it, can I see all the places in your pictures? I can't bike, but I can hike 7 miles. Or is there a tour bus? Thank you! -Chen

Hi Chen, you can enter Colosseum separately, but the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill can only be visited together. So it’s three places but actually two tickets. You can do one of the two in the morning and the other after lunch, but you could also do everything after lunch if you prefer. Hope this clarifies. Enjoy your trip!

There is one general rule of thumb for bus travel in the US : Take 23 kg (50 lbs) with you and a carry-on fitting into the overhead compartment and you’re fine!

As each bus provider has different policies, it gets trickier if you have oversized baggage or more than one, as this may not be allowed without paying an additional fee. Also, if you switch from one bus provider to another during your trip, you might have to comply with different baggage allowances and pay the fee or send excess baggage via express mail. To make your life easier, we’ve created the following table to give you an overview of US bus providers’ existing baggage allowances.

Baggage policy for Greyhound, Megabus, Trailways and more

Baggage size is calculated adding up the outer dimensions of your bags. Added up (length + width + height), check-in bags should be no larger than 62 inches or 158 centimeters. The typical size of the overhead compartment in buses is 9x16x20 inches (22.8×40.5×50.8 cm). So, bringing a small suitcase along as a carry-on bag weighing no more than 25 lbs (12 kg) is perfectly fine. Make sure you put your valuables into your carry on or carry them on you to be safe. In case your check-in baggage gets lost, the bus providers will be liable for a maximum of $250 per adult ticket or $125 per child fare ticket. It’s possible to buy insurance for the rest of the value you want to take with you (up to $1,000 max).

In case you’re planning on traveling with more than the allowed baggage, fees will apply. Most bus providers transport up to 100 lbs (46 kg) of luggage against a fee. Megabus is an exception, as they don’t allow excess baggage (you’ll need to buy another ticket in order to bring one more bag onto the bus). You can either do so in advance, online, or pay the walk-up price at the bus station. The second option only is possible if space is available!

The price depends on the distance traveled, wherever a price range is indicated. Greyhound’s overweight fees are $20 for an overweight bag between 50 and 75 lbs for a distance of up to 200 miles, $25 for a distance between 201 and 800 miles, and $30 for anything further than that.

Overweight or oversized baggage may have to be sent with Package Express whenever there isn’t sufficient space available in the underneath compartment of the bus or when a piece of baggage exceeds the maximum size or weight accepted for individual bags.

Greyhound and RedCoach offer a check-in service, which means that your baggage changes bus without you having to lift a finger. So do some Trailways companies and Jefferson Lines at terminals with check-in service. Note that budget services (Megabus, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus, Yo!Bus) require you to check your baggage yourself.

Important:  US law requires travelers to clearly identify their check-in bags with a baggage tag with the passenger’s name and destination clearly printed.

Check out our articles on the transportation of transportation of bikes by bus in the USA    , along with what you’re not allowed to take with you of a bus  for more info. We’ve also compiled information on traveling in a wheelchair  and on traveling with children . Let us know if you think our comprehensive bus guide has everything you need for your next bus trip!

Search and book your bus tickets to and from the United States directly on Busbud.com

I travel with a CPAP Machine. It’s the size of a briefcase. On airlines and Amtrak they let you bring that in addition to your carryon bag. I see no mention of medical equipment on the bus sites. Is their policy the same? Or are they liable to hassle me.

• Pingback: How To Take Long Bus Trips Like a Pro – Le Recruitist

I will keep in mind that some buses do not allow for excess baggage even if you’re willing to pay for them. My boyfriend and I are planning on going on a bus charter tour someday and we’re self-aware with the fact that we tend to overpack when going on trips. We would like a tour to go as smoothly as possible so I have to learn much about how buses work.

• Pingback: Preparing for a long journey by Bus – Umuziwethu
• Pingback: How To Take Long Bus Trips Like a Pro | Busbud blog

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Bus People Stories – Pennie’s Story

Bus people stories – j’lisa’s story, bus people stories – jaime’s story, bus people stories – riikka’s story, bus people stories series- hadjamar & julia bus story.

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Traveling Later

And Checking My Bag.

Here's Where You Can Store Your Luggage While Traveling

Depositphotos

Sometimes I wonder why I’m not the kind of traveler who can just sling a backpack over my shoulder and hit the road.

But I’m not — that kind of traveler.

I like to travel with a suitcase, which is any luggage bigger than a carry-on. What I love to do with that suitcase when I travel is A) give it to someone else to handle/carry right away (like the airline) and then B) drop it at my accommodations as soon as I arrive. When I leave, I want to take my bag straight to my next mode of transportation - the end.

May not sound like a legit traveler to you, but it’s legit the way I like to travel.

Minimize the baggage lugging. Please.

But even I can have issues ridding myself of luggage during a trips gap-time - now an official phrase I completely made up. It's the time between early morning flight arrivals and mid-day check-ins or mid-day check-outs and evening flights. Gap-time can even happen between flight arrival and a train departure.

You can usually pre-plan for where your luggage will go during a gap-time as you create your itinerary. The hotel might hold your luggage pre-check-in, or the AirBnB landlord may let you drop your bag early. Storage lockers could be available at the airport or train station (but you’d have to travel back and forth to retrieve them.)

But even with the best-made plans, you might find yourself with sights to see and luggage to drag. Hate it.

Maybe someone else can lug your bag for you while you sightsee? (Photo by Hilary Gardner)

NO. THANK. YOU.

If, for whatever reason, you find yourself with none of the usual places to store your suitcase - what do you do? Find a cafe or drag the bag along sightseeing?

Well, I’ve tried both, and neither worked for me. I once landed in Prague due to a rerouted flight and had a few hours for exploring before my train left. When I arrived at the station, the ticket seller delivered the bad news: no bag storage at the train station.

So? I found a cafe. First time in Prague and I ate the food and drank the wine, but saw no sights. Where were my iron-clad stamina and stare-proof tourist shield, fergawdsakes ?

Home, probably. And, true confessions, that’s not the only time I’ve done that. I can’t believe I’m telling you this. Ok, so one cold rainy morning I arrived in London hours before check-in, but the hotel politely informed me I needed to remain in possession of my bag. Again I chose the cafe and ate a long slow breakfast until check-in - three hours later.

I don’t know if you’d do the same thing, but would you consider it a good option? And how about your travel companion - are you on the same page?

Someone Babysit My Bags

After Prague, I kept thinking “there has to be a solution” for these gap-time situations. It must be a common problem for travelers.

And guess what I found?

Some companies exist solely to babysit your luggage! They have networks of locations, in different cities around the world, that will store your bags for a fee. The price for 24 hours is reasonable, and most offer insurance coverage per bag.

Each bag sitting company operates pretty much the same way, and that means more options and coverage per city/country. The luggage babysitting networks include hotels, local businesses, cafes, and retail shops. The process starts on a mobile-friendly website you’ll need to use for scheduling - and one company even has an app.

Here’s an overview of how they work:

You start by making your reservation online, or via an app, before your arrival. Once that’s done you’ll receive a confirmation email revealing the address and operating hours for the drop site.

Make sure you note the hours the location is open - and this is important. Most of the companies are flexible with slightly fluid travel schedules, but only to a point. What they can’t change is the times of operation of the drop site. Take this into account when you are booking your spot and make sure you check the rules each company sets up around this issue, in case you have to cancel.

You’ll pay for your time upfront on the companies website - except for one of the companies that charges after you pick-up your luggage. No money is paid directly to the drop site for your luggage.

And, finally, you drop your bags at the time arranged, and pickup before the drop site closes. Note that once you drop off your bags you can’t reaccess them until pick up, so take what you need before you drop them.

Cool, right? Why didn’t I know about this before Prague?!

Checkout These Companies

I haven’t had the chance to use the services of any of these companies. Yet.

I want you to know that upfront, although I’m planning on trying them out in San Francisco and will report back to you about my experience.

In the meantime, here’s all the information I’ve gathered so you can try them yourself. Make sure you leave a comment here if you’ve used any of them or another company I didn’t mention. Either way, let me know what you think.

The company’s website states they’re in 250 cities and 20 countries across Europe, North America, and Australia. You’ll find a list on the site, but download their app (for iOS or Android) to book storage. And the app has a map of potential drop sites so you can gauge distances for better planning.

The pricing in the US, for example, is $6/bag for the first 24 hours - regardless of bag size - and $4 for additional days. Bags are insured up to 1500 euros by AXA.

The basic procedures are to book ahead, via the app, choosing the most convenient locations for you. Once booked and paid, you receive an email with location information and SMS confirmation number. Bring this and a photo ID to the drop-off.

There’s a lot of information on Nannybag’s website regarding unexpected situations, like a drop site closing early, or severe flight delays, so make sure you read the site thoroughly. The bottom line is it sounds like they’re pretty flexible with cancellations but document with photos, etc.

And they’ve already kept over 350,000 bags at their network of “Nanny’s.”

Back in 2015, some travelers with the same question I asked (“there has to be a solution”) began to create a luggage storage network. Behold - Stasher, a company that operates similarly as Nannybag.com. They also have a convenient app!

Their “StashPoints” are also shops and hotels, and reservations are booked online - preferably before your trip. They charge six pounds/bag for the first 24 hours and five pounds for each additional 24 hours.

The process is similar, beginning with booking and paying online and receiving an email confirmation. Two differences from Nannybag.com are insurance coverage (up to 1000 pounds/bag) and flexibility of drop off and pick up times - as long as you stay within the timeframe that the StashPoint is open and your fees are paid.

Stasher also covers Europe, North America, and Australia, and they're open to cancelation refunds. Check the website to make sure you have their contact number and email and use those if you run into any issues at your destination. Oh, and they don’t just store luggage but bikes, strollers, and sports equipment too - according to their website.

Next up - a company that originated in Italy and expanded around the globe. BAGBNB.com uses “Angels” drop points, similar to the other companies, including shops and hotels.

You’ll go through the same process of booking your spot online, paying the fee, and waiting for your confirmation with the location information about your Angel. Any change in dropping or picking up bags can be communicated directly to the Angel, but if your itinerary changes or you need to cancel - the fee is non-refundable.

The cost is five euros/bag for 24 hours, and the insurance maxes out at 500 euros/bag. You’ll find an extensive network of Angels across Europe, North America, and Australia. They provide a rating of the different Angels, so you can consider that when you’re booking.

As with the other companies, there’s no limit to the size of bag you can leave at an Angel and no difference in price based on bag size.

So Many Options

Here’s a list of smaller luggage storage companies, the cities they cover, and basic costs (if disclosed on their website.) You may find these are a better fit for you, depending on where you’re traveling. Or combine them with these others - giving you more options - which spells convenience!

Love the name because - yes they are! A Danish company, they cover Copenhagen, London, and New York. Their website says $1/hour/bag plus a one time $2 handling fee, which might be less expensive than the others if you only need a few hours.

You know the drill by now: book online, pay with a credit card, and the drop information is emailed to you.

They offer insurance up to $2000/bag, but the best part about these guys? No charge if you don’t show up for your reservation - because, as they say on their website “that’s how they’d want to be treated.” Cool.

Same concept but a lot of interesting twists with this company. They operate in New York, San Francisco, and Boston. Their pricing? Well, that depends on how long you need to leave your luggage. They offer hourly storage at $2/hour, or all-day storage for a flat fee of $12, and both include insurance of $500/bag.

And if you want to leave bags for a more extended period? This company has you covered, charging $49 for a week of storage and up to $149 for an entire month (again - same insurance coverage/bag.)

Booking and paying are also unique with Knock Knock. When you book your reservation online, take a look at the map on their website and pick your drop off site (purple icon.)

At that point, you’ll receive a QR code which is scanned when you arrive at the drop off to start the clock ticking back at Knock Knock. When you pick up, the QR code is scanned again, and the exact fee is calculated based on the length of the ‘stay.’

Your credit card isn’t charged until you pick up your luggage. If you don’t show up for your reservation - no charge.

Another US option covers more cities with storage locations in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. But visit their website to find and book a reservation.

Once there, you’ll find it resembles online booking sites for hotels, with locations coming up by availability and a map pinning the places. The basic pricing listed on the website is $5.95/day with discounts of 15% for week-long booking and 30% for a month.

But you’ll find when you search for a location there is variation in pricing by location. Searching for Los Angeles, I found several options at $5.95/day as well as places quoting $6.95/day. Checking New York gave me options for $5.95, $6.95, $7.50, $7.95, and  $10/day.

Vertoe has insurance coverage of $3000, although the website doesn’t make it clear if this is per bag coverage or a maximum per customer. You book and pay the storage fee online at the same time, but if your plans change - cancel your reservation online to get a refund.

The Rest of the World

Since it seems like these companies have the US, Europe, and Australia covered, I did a little search for the rest of the world. I found small, one-city companies offering similar services at multiple locations, with varying prices, and insurance coverage. My advice - which I fully plan to follow myself! - is to make this a regular part of pre-planning when you travel.

At the very least, you may find storage at the airport, train, or bus stations, or your hotel. You won’t know unless you check it out ahead of time. And believe me - it’s worth the effort to sightsee luggage free! (she says as she hangs her head in shame.) What a boondoggle my little Prague stop could’ve been if I’d known these companies existed.

Well, now we all know!

Safe Travels!

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The ULTIMATE Packing List For Any City Break (2024)

Need an epic packing list for city break getaways?

Let me help you with that! 🙋‍♀️

I love getting a last-minute deal and avoiding using vacation days to visit cities across Europe.

With over 40 countries visited, I am a pro when it comes to clever packing!

My years of using budget airlines have made me an expert in fitting everything I need for a weekend away in my small hand luggage bag.

And trust me, I know how challenging it is not to know what to take on holiday, especially if you haven’t been to that destination before!

So let’s walk through everything you need for a comfortable and stress-free trip to any city.

Planning A City Trip? Check Out These Resources

🚖  Need to book an airport transfer?

Get door-to-door service with  Kiwitaxi .

📍  How to find the best tours and experiences?

Check out the most amazing tours and activities with  Viator .

🚗  How to hire a car?

Road trips are my jam and the only company I use is  Discover Cars .

🏨  How to find hotels?

I always find great deals for accommodation with  Booking.com .

What To Pack For A City Break:

This can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are going on a 5-day weekend trip!

Then you have to consider the weather, what tours you are doing , if you have any events where you need to dress well and a few other factors.

But fear not!

No matter which city you are exploring, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s take a look at the ultimate weekend break packing list:

1. Documents And The Important Stuff

You cannot start a city break packing list without including some logistics.

Without these, you probably won’t be able to enjoy your new travel destination!

Here is my recommended city break checklist for travel essentials :

✔️ Valid Passports or visas if needed

✔️ Tickets (have back-up copies)

✔️ Travel Insurance- I always use SafetyWing!

✔️ A Debit Card like Revolut or The Chase (Some Cities in the Netherlands don’t accept Credit Cards or American Express)

✔️ Small change in your local currency

If you have ever had to drag a heavy suitcase down a cobbled street or lift one up hundreds of steps through the airport, you know how travelling lightweight will save you!

I have tried and tested countless luggage options for city breaks and long-haul flights over the years.

These are the best options that should be included in any packing list for city breaks:

City Break Approved Hand Luggage: Cabin Max Manhattan Stowaway

Whether I’m going on a 5-day city break or need a day bag for my trip , this is the only one I take!

• Fits so much in
• Amazing value for money
• Budget-Airline approved ( including Ryanair )
• Has a secret pocket to keep documents save

The Best City Trip Suitcase: The American Tourister

Taking a suitcase to a city can be really hard work.

There have been times I became so overwhelmed trying to get to my hotel because my suitcase wouldn’t play ball!

With metro services to navigate, crowded streets and plenty of other challenges, you need luggage that will make any travel easier .

• Very lightweight
• Travels well
• You will use it again and again

3. Clothing

This is the part I always struggled with most, what to wear .

It took a lot of time but now I have some staple items I ALWAYS pack so I am not caught out.

I learnt my lesson when I was drenched from the rain on a Belfast city break 🤦‍♀️

Here is my recommended city break packing checklist for clothes:

✔️ Comfortable Shoes – Walking shoes or sneakers for exploring the city

✔️ Jeans or trousers – for everyday wear and travelling

✔️ White Loose Shirt ( get yours on Amazon Here )- A staple for any European city getaway

✔️ Sweater or light jackets – for cooler evenings and flying

✔️ Socks and Underwear

✔️ Pj’s or comfortable sleepwear

✔️ One formal/smart outfit – dress and shirt number

✔️ Polarized Sunglasses ( grab some off Amazon Here )- Even in cold destinations, these come in handy!

✔️ Swimwear – If your destination is hot or you are staying somewhere with a pool

✔️ A raincoat – just in case!

☝️ These are the items you should take at any time of year. But if you know you are going to a very hot or very cold location , make sure you base your packing list on this. Here are some seasonal packing lists to help: -Winter Packing List

4. Toiletries & Staying Healthy

This is one of the topics I get asked for tips about most!

The 100ml rule when flying with hand luggage means you have to be on top form with what you bring to the airport.

And with me exploring Europe a lot, I also have to be on top form about keeping safe and healthy.

From drinking safe water to keeping belongings safe, these are the items that belong on any city packing list:

✔️ Plasters and Paracetamol – I always get blisters if I walk too far 🙃

✔️ Activated Charcoal – The quickest way to help you if you become unwell from drinking or eating!

✔️ Deodorant

✔️ Light travel towel ( This is the best one if you are visiting lots of beaches or staying in Hostels)

✔️ SPF moisturiser

✔️ Reusable Water Bottle – will save you money in places where the drinking water is amazing!

✔️ Toothbrush and Toothpaste

✔️ Hairbrush

5. Electronics

Even though I travel a lot, I am never one of those who takes a huge amount of gadgets.

Honestly, I never need most of them and they just take up valuable packing space.

And I hate the effort of pulling them all out at the airport -super lazy I know 😂

However, these are the electronics I highly recommend packing for a city break:

✔️ Multi-Country Power Adapter

✔️ Anker Rechargeable Battery Pack

How To Pack For A City Break

Now you have an idea of what you need to pack, how do you pack it?

Here’s some tips to help you pack efficiently:

Check the Weather Forecast :

Before you start packing, check the weather forecast for your destination during your travel dates.

Make a Packing List :

Sounds obvious but it helps!

Create a list based on the length of your trip, planned activities, and the weather forecast.

Include essential items like clothing, toiletries, electronics, and any specific items you’ll need for activities or events.

Choose Versatile Clothing :

Select clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits.

Stick to neutral colours that can be dressed up or down. This will help you pack light while still having plenty of outfit options.

Pack Light Layers :

Instead of bulky items, opt for lightweight layers that can be easily added or removed depending on the temperature.

This includes items like cardigans, scarves, and jackets.

Limit Shoes :

Shoes can take up a lot of space in your luggage, so try to limit yourself to one of two pairs.

Choose comfortable walking shoes for exploring the city and one or two dressier options for evenings out.

Pack Toiletries Wisely :

Toiletries can also add weight to your luggage, so only pack what you’ll actually need.

Consider purchasing travel-sized bottles or transferring products into smaller containers to save space.

Use Packing Cubes or Compression Bags :

Packing cubes or compression bags can help maximize space in your luggage and keep your items organised.

I also find rolling your clothing instead of folding it to save even more space.

Don’t Forget Essentials :

Make sure to pack important items like travel documents, medication, phone chargers, and any other essentials you’ll need during your trip.

Keep these items easily accessible in your carry-on bag.

Leave Room for Souvenirs :

If you plan on doing some shopping during your trip, leave some extra space in your luggage for souvenirs and other items you might pick up along the way.

Check Luggage Restrictions :

Finally, make sure to check the luggage restrictions and weight limits for your airline to avoid any unexpected fees or issues at the airport.

This is the most important one because it can cost you a lot!

What To Pack For A 3 Night City Break

A 3-night city escape is fairly straightforward to pack for once you know how!

To help you out, these are the basic items you need to make sure are in your case:

• 3-4 sets of tops and bottoms (mix of shirts, blouses, or T-shirts and jeans, trousers, or skirts)
• 1-2 sets of dressier outfits for evenings out (a dress or a nicer shirt with trousers)
• 1-2 sweaters or light jackets (depending on the weather forecast)
• Underwear and socks for each day
• Sleepwear (1-2 sets of pajamas or comfortable sleepwear)
• Swimwear (if you’ll have access to a pool or plan to visit a spa)
• A small purse or backpack for daily essentials
• Comfortable shoes
• Medications and first aid kit (if needed)
• Phone charger
• Adapters/converter (if traveling internationally )

What To Pack For A 4 Day City Break

With a longer city break, packing items you can use daily will greatly help save space!

I always think the best city breaks are 4 days so try and do them as often as I can 🤩

To make sure you have the right stuff with you, this is what I recommend you take with you:

• 4-5 tops (T-shirts, blouses, shirts)
• 2-3 pairs of trousers, shorts or jeans
• 2 Dresses or shirts for smart events
• 1 lightweight jacket or cardigan
• 1 coat or heavier jacket (if the weather is cold)
• Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers
• Travel-sized toiletries
• Portable charger/power bank
• Adapters/converter
• Reusable water bottle
• Snacks for the journey or quick bites during the day

The Ultimate Packing List For City Break Getaways Final Thoughts

So there we have it, the full city break packing guide to help make your travels even easier!

As long as you keep things lightweight and wear anything that may be bulky, you should have no problems.

The most helpful thing I have found after years of doing city breaks is that packing versatile outfits that you can mix and match is the best way to be prepared.

And don’t forget to pack your travel documents, they are the easiest thing to forget!

I hope you found this article useful: Here are some more to help you plan your trip :

✔️ 13 Best Summer Destinations You Need To Visit In Europe

✔️ How To Travel To Europe From India

✔️ Best Day Trips From Cardiff (By A Local)

✔️ What Countries In Europe Speak English?

Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.

Related Posts

How to create the Best Europe Road Trip Plan 2023

95 amazing Road Trip Quotes For Your Next 2023 Trip

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🎟 Miami City Tour — Explore Little Havana, Wynwood & South Beach in half-a-day

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• Adults $ 55  –  $ 59
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Buy tickets... Meet your guide... and away you go

Secure luggage storage is provided all day, how to maximize the day.

• The tour ends at 2 pm
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Your tour includes....

• Luxury Bus Transportation
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Want to sit in the FRONT ROW? (add $29)

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• We already did a tour just like yours . (We've been guiding tours around Miami for over 10 years.) 5-star reviews are fairly common. So if you'd like us to be your guide —to dramatically improve the experience of everyone in your group— check availability now . If you prefer to buy tickets by phone, call us directly at 305-260-6855.
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10 Best Travel Day Packs (2021 Edition)

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "A week in a bamboo beach hut on India's Andaman Islands."

Travel Motto : "Travel light, often, and in good company."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window—best view in the house."

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Never underestimate the power of a good travel day pack on a trip. These versatile day packs are perfect for any active vacation or even for a city getaway if a backpack is more your style than a purse. Plus, if you run out of space in your bag on the way home, they make for a great spare carry-on.

Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote Pack 27L

This hybrid tote/backpack is one of the best day packs for travel because of its dual functionality and lightweight material. Though it’s not heavy, it’s well made and resistant to both tears and wet weather.

The main compartment is zippered, and there are two mesh water bottle side pockets, as well as a large zippered front pocket, so it can hold all of your carry-on essentials . The 27-liter size makes it roomy enough for an overnight stay, but it folds into itself for easy storage.

Gonex Packable Daypack

Gonex makes a great streamlined pack that stuffs into its own small pouch. The material is a lightweight but strong nylon that’s resistant to rain and tears. It has one main compartment as well as a few smaller ones, making it one of the best travel day packs to keep you organized without adding a lot of weight.

Public Rec Pro Pack Plus

This offering from Public Rec is a sturdy option for those looking to do some hiking or other outdoor activities. Even though the bag is made of strong polyester, it’s still lightweight and waterproof. It has a padded sleeve for a 15-inch laptop, stretch-woven side pockets, a padded shoulder harness, and a zippered top pocket for essentials.

Matador Freerain24 Backpack

The Matador Freerain is the latest style in Matador’s compact packs range. This ultra-light style is watertight with waterproof rolltop construction, making it super durable for any type of outdoor activity. It has a 24-liter main compartment, dual side pockets, and a front vertical pocket for easy access to essential items.  

Osprey Daylite Backpack 13L

Whether you’re taking a city tour or a summit excursion, the Osprey Daylite is the perfect travel day pack. For hikers, it has a slot for a hydration bladder and is designed to be attached/removed from larger Osprey bags. For the urban traveler, it has a large main compartment, front pocket, and side mesh pockets. At 13 liters, it’s on the smaller side, but it still fits everything you would need for a day.

Sherpani Camden Pack

This is a great travel day pack for urban travel due to its zipper locks, RFID-protected pocket, laptop sleeve, and flexible straps: It can be carried as a tote, worn as a backpack, or worn crossbody. There’s also a zippered luggage pass-through sleeve so you can put it over the handle of your carry-on at the airport.

Herschel Supply Co. Nova Mid Volume Backpack

This stylish travel day pack option holds a 13-inch laptop in the padded sleeve compartment and has internal and external pockets to hold your essentials. The main compartment zips shut, and the shoulder straps are padded.

Fjallraven Kanken Classic

I’ve been flying with my Kanken as my personal item for more than a year now and I love its size, durability, and shape. The Classic style makes for the perfect travel day bag as well, with a roomy main compartment and front pocket for your essentials. The simple design is stylish, and you can fit a surprising amount of clothing and gear inside.

REI Co-op Flash 18 Pack

REI’s Flash Pack is a travel day pack with dual functionality. Simply turn it inside out and the backpack doubles as a stuff sack for packing. This day pack is super comfortable to wear with a lightly padded back panel—which also slips out to double as a seating pad—as well as padded shoulder straps and a detachable hip belt and sternum strap. The sternum-strap buckle can also be used as a safety whistle. And at 18 liters, it’s the perfect size for day trips. What can’t this day pack do?  

Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Packable Daypack

Cotopaxi makes a great lightweight travel day pack, perfect for hiking. The 18-liter pack has a large main compartment with an internal hydration sleeve, mesh shoulder straps, a front zippered pocket, buckled strap support, and a top drawstring closure.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How to Pack a Backpack: 5 Essential Tips
• 9 Great Crossbody Bags for Travel
• How to Choose the Perfect Suitcase

Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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What to Do With Your Luggage While on a City Tour

Traveling is one of the most exciting experiences that one can have. Exploring new cities, meeting new people, and immersing yourself in different cultures can be invigorating. However, lugging your luggage around while exploring the city can be a hassle. 

Dealing with luggage when you first arrive in a new city can be tricky. Travelers often end up bringing far too many bags and suitcases with them as they explore, because they don’t know where to leave them and they’ve arrived before their check-in time. However, this is a guaranteed way to ruin a day out, and there are several better solutions for those in the know.

Whether you are sailing from Southampton on an all-inclusive package or on a European city break and want to explore before checking in to your hotel, you need a solution for your luggage. Here are some of the simplest and most useful ways you can store your luggage while on a city tour.

Leave luggage at your hotel or hostel

One of the best options for storing your luggage while on a city tour is to leave it at your hotel or hostel. Most hotels and hostels offer luggage storage facilities for their guests who arrive before their check-in time. This option is the most convenient as it allows you to drop off your luggage and pick it up when you are ready to check in. Leaving your luggage at your hotel or hostel is also a safe option as most hotels and hostels have security measures in place to protect your belongings.

If you decide to leave your luggage at your hotel or hostel, make sure to check their policies beforehand. Some hotels and hostels may charge an additional fee for luggage storage, and others may have limited space. It is always best to confirm these details before leaving your luggage.

Use a luggage storage service

If your hotel or hostel does not offer luggage storage, you can use a luggage storage service. Luggage storage services are becoming more popular in major cities around the world, particularly as digital tools and the sharing economy make things simpler and more streamlined. 

One of the most popular luggage storage services is Stasher. Stasher has partnered with local businesses, such as cafes and shops, to provide secure, convenient storage for your luggage without breaking the bank. It’s a great way to ‘stash’ your bags near your hotel while you explore the city. Stasher is available in over 100 cities worldwide and offers 24/7 customer support. 

Store luggage at a train or bus station

Plenty of travelers arrive in a new city by train or bus, which makes luggage storage at train and bus stations extremely convenient. These transport hubs also tend to be centrally located, so even if you are driving or flying in, they will usually be easy to find and get to. Most train and bus stations offer luggage storage facilities, and they are usually automatic and available 24/7. It’s a great option if you are only in the city for a few hours and need to store your luggage before catching your next train or bus.

The cost of storing your luggage at a train or bus station varies depending on the station and the length of time you need to store your luggage. Some charge by the hour, while others offer all-day storage for a set fee. 

Check luggage at an attraction or museum

One excellent and crafty luggage storage hack is to store bags at attractions and museums that you plan to visit. Most places offer storage facilities for their visitors, which lets you leave your luggage at reception or in a cloakroom while you explore the sights without having to carry bags around. 

There are loads of ways to leave your luggage safely and securely while on a city tour, even if you arrive before your hotel room is ready. With this guide, you’ll have a far more convenient and enjoyable experience as you explore the city . 

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