A Quick Trip to Rome

Last summer we had the pleasure of spending two luxurious days in Rome. So much to see with so little time, we certainly accomplished most of our “bucket list“.

Our first stop was the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. You can feel a part of history as you entered these crowded structures. You become part of a multitude of guided tours with many people in each group trying to absorb years of ancient history. Maybe just too many people. Personally, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of some of the artwork, the breathtaking sculptures and the history that is displayed within these walls. Touring with a group makes it difficult to absorb all you want to learn and see. If only you could have a private tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel you would truly appreciate its beauty and history. When entering the Sistine Chapel you are advised not to take photos, and of course, some people did anyway. Why not when this is a once in a lifetime visit and many people just checked it off their list! Just knowing how it was designed can take your breath away. Again, I would have enjoyed it much more without being crowded into a small space with thousands of people. I wonder what will happen when they reopen after Covid-19.

One of my favorite attractions in Rome was the Trevi Fountain. From seeing people making wishes in movies, to recalling characters visiting in many novels, this was a momentous occasion for me and at the top of my Rome bucket list. We all threw our coins in the fountain and made wishes. We were thrilled to feel the water splashing behind us on a 98 degree day.

Other places of interest in our two day tour included St. Peter’s Basilica, the Spanish steps and the Colisseum. The Colisseum brought me back to the movie, Gladiator, and I could picture myself during that time period. It was amazing how expansive the insides of the Colisseum was and the many nooks and crannies that were once inhabited by Roman soldiers and gladiators. It took my breath away as I took in a panaramic view of this city size building which has existed for thousands of years. St. Peter’s Basilica was my favorite church in Rome. It’s enormous, grand structure consumes you in spirituality and history. You feel so blessed as you walk through and visit the different sections in this house of worship. It was simply magnificent.

Another exciting part of our trip to Rome was the delicacies that are unique to this nation. From pizza at lunch, gelato in the middle of the day and homemade pasta for dinner, Rome was a place to savor and enjoy. Whenever I travel to a new place I want to experience all the indigenous flavors of the community because I don‘t know if I will ever return.

We were lucky to visit Rome during the celebration of St. Peter and St. Paul. It coincides with the Fourth of July week in the United States so we were thrilled to experience a fireworks show from a rooftop in Rome. It was a rooftop bar in our hotel, Hotel Mediterraneo, which we visited each night to enjoy the cooler air and see the entire city all around us. We were introduced to a new drink called the Aperol Spritz, made with Aperol, club soda and Prosecco. It is topped with orange slices and is a delicious way to celebrate the beauty of Roma.

Another favorite of mine was my morning cappuccino. You can have cappuccino at every restaurant in America and it will not compare to what you will get in Italy. It is the perfect combination of coffee, froth and sweetness. In fact, I didn’t even have to add any sugar to it like I do when I go to an Italian restaurant back home.

In addition to cappuccino, I experienced many other culinary delights. Each gelato place was slightly different but the taste and consistency cannot be compared to anything else you have tasted. I am a chocolate connoisseur and I love ice cream so I had reached the height of satisfaction trying gelato in Rome. We also enjoyed Nutella crepes, homemade zeppele like fried dough and platters and platters of fresh cheeses as an “intermezzo” during our fine dining excursions.

Rome is an old city which has not been repaired in a long time. This subtly adds to its cultural beauty and the aura you feel just being there. People are mostly friendly and getting around is easy as they even have Uber available for you. I found each day in this magical city to be a dream come true. It is the heart of Italy and their history.

Interestingly enough I did not gain weight during my trip to Italy. Even though every day consisted of consuming Italian delicacies, we walked over 15,000 steps every day touring and breathing in the essence of Italy. Rome is a must visit on your trip to Italy!