Traveling to Spain and Italy

There are some museums in Rome that require you to book before hand. Look into which ones they are. I strongly suggest doing the early morning vatican tour. Yes Rick Steve's book is great for alot of things but the Vatican is just too busy and there is too much stuff to look at.

We took a day trip from Rome to Pompeii, which was really cool.

Also, BEWARE OF PICK POCKETS. On our last day in Rome we got on the city bus to go back to our hotel and this little 9-10 year old girl picked my wife. Luckily I caught her in the act. There is literally nothing you can do about it because they are little girls and if you hold on to them they will scream out.

Take at least a day trip to Florence from Rome on the fast train. (I would recommend staying a few days, but it looks like you are already set on Rome for the week).
From Barcelona, take a day trip to the coast one day. Beautiful.

If this is your first time overseas, it will blow your mind. Those are two great countries filled with amazing food and great energy. Enjoy!

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BlackenedOut

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Thanks man. I hadn't really looked into food in either city. was just going to try to find local off the beaten path things. We are staying near the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona so trip to the coast isn't far.
I will definitely write down those places to eat and check them out. Thanks

Be prepared to be corrected on the notion that American food portions are big.

For Barcelona, book your times to Parc Guell, Sagrada, etc online before you go. Otherwise, you'll be standing around for 3 hours like an idiot.

And "Before you go" can literally be while picking up wifi right outside the venue. You may have to wait 30 minutes for the entry time at worst, but still better than 3 hours.

Love both cities

Learn a few phrases, I am, thank you, please, good morning, afternoon etc
Wear a hidden pocket
Make copies of your passport, keep it in your hotel safe
Eat at local restaurants, ask cab drivers, concierge etc
Make reservations at all museums it will save you hours by not waiting in line

Smile, Smile

Just got back from Barcelona. Was my first overseas city as well. Had a fantastic time. Went to a FC Barca game the day we landed and even with the jet lag it was surreal to see Messi. Lot of architecture, can't miss La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.

Take a day trip to Montaerrat if you can. Probably the coolest day on my European trip.

We ended almost every evening on the beach after sightseeing all day. Probably gonna be chilly when you're there but it was a really nice although crowded beach. The guys walking around selling beers were annoying but it was nice having a cold one for a euro whenever I wanted.

Coolest thing we did was check out this local neighborhoods festival. They decorated every street and had a crazy fireworks parade. Look to see if there are any local events going on when you are there.

Pickpockets I feel were overblown, just don't look super touristy. Keep stuff in buttoned pockets or in your front and keep your hand on your pocket if you're on the metro or Las Ramblas.

I can get by in Spanish but most people figured out I wasn't that great and spoke in English

I recently did the Domus Aurea tour. It's the ruins of Nero's palace, the Golden House. It's a current archaeological site, and it's an awe-inspiring sight. You have to wear hard hats on the tour. You can get tickets here: Tours available in English, Italian, and Spanish

I also recommend the tour of the Domus di Palazzo Valentini. It's another underground archaeological site that was discovered next to Trajan's column underneath a Renaissance palazzo. The domus dates back to the 3rd Century C.E., and was clearly owned by a senator because of the apparent wealth of the home. You walk on glass floors so that you can see the ruins discovered underneath you, and the museum uses a light show on the walls to recreate what the home would have looked like 1700 years ago. It was incredible. I highly recommend.

There are also a couple food tours that are incredible. Go on the Taste of Testaccio food tour. Part of the tour is one of the best restaurants in Rome imo, Flavio al Velavevadetto. It's built into a hill composed of ancient Roman pottery shards that keep the restaurant cool. A full lunch here is one of the last stops on the tour. You eat from 9:30 to 3 p.m., and during that time, you try some of the best dishes Rome has to offer.

For restaurants, I recommend Flavio, of course, Open Baladin (a craft beer bar near the Marcellan Theater with an amazing buffalo mozzarella burger), and Ai Tre Scalini (a small restaurant in Monti, definitely need a reservation or a long wait). For gelato, I recommend Panna & Co. or Giolitti's. Be on the lookout for whether they cover the gelato in metal containers. If not, it's from powder, and won't be as good. For a spectacular view, there's a cafe with beer and snacks on the third floor of Castel Sant'Angelo with a breathtaking view of the Vatican and Rome. In the end, you won't cover everything, so don't exhaust yourself trying to do so.

Never had issue with pick pockets and visited some beautiful areas in Italy. Mainly Venice which I feel is a tourist trap but they still have a lot to do.