I Didn't Find Love in Rome..
But I ate delicious pasta and tossed coins in the Trevi fountain.⛲️
Who says you need a week to explore the Eternal City? I had just two days, and I was determined to pack in as much as possible. This is the latest installment in my summer travel series.
Day One: A Flavorful Journey Through Roman History
The iconic city of Rome has been a constant on my travel bucket list, and despite arriving during a torrential downpour and waiting hours at the airport for my ride, my spirits remained high. Being a super budget trip, I had packed light, booked a hostel, and crammed my itinerary to the brim.
I settled into my female-only room without a hitch. A quick chat with the hostel staff, gave me the lowdown on the local area. With my valuables secure, I was ready to hit the streets.
The whirlwind adventure began with a food tour—my ideal introduction to the city's rich flavors. From pasta to pizza, cheeses, and cold cuts—it was a carb lover's paradise. Mixing my own Aperol Spritz added the perfect Italian touch to the experience.
The following day, I went on a tour, starting at the Colosseum. Standing in the shadow of this ancient marvel was dreamy. Having seen films like Gladiator and others set in Rome, my imagination soared as I pictured the crowds and spectacles that once filled this space. The tour guide was a remarkable storyteller, and his enchanting tales made the experience even more exciting.
I spent most of the day with my group exploring on foot, soaking up the city's vibrant energy. Unfortunately, we missed out on seeing the interior of the Pantheon, as it was closed for renovations, but its majestic exterior still spoke volumes of its history as an ancient temple dedicated to Roman gods. As I crossed paths with multitudes of tourists, I couldn’t help but notice the disinterested looks on the locals' faces, which somehow added to the city's unique charm.
At the Trevi Fountain, I followed tradition and tossed in three coins, ensuring my return to Rome and the hope of finding the love of my life. As the only single person in my tour group, I felt like a lone ranger, but it added an extra layer of adventure to the trip.
After indulging in a creamy gelato, I decided it was time for a little retail therapy. I popped into a local makeup store and picked up a few lip glosses which were surprisingly good and easy on the wallet. Next, I headed to the iconic Via dei Condotti, the street housing luxury brands like Armani, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Bulgari, and the likes. I spent a happy hour window shopping, daydreaming about buying everything in sight. Next to the street are the Spanish Steps, which, interestingly, were commissioned by the French.
Day Two: Nightlife Shenanigans
With a few hours to spare before my final tour, I explored my hostel’s neighborhood. Eating a whole pizza 🌚 washed down with limoncello, I walked the streets, and rode the bus, coming as close as I could to feeling like a local.
To wrap up my Roman getaway, I joined a bar tour; my go-to move for meeting new people and experiencing a city's nightlife. I had one of those magical moments, just like when strangers sang to me on my birthday in Florence (Rome) last year. It’s incredible how quickly you can connect with people from all over the world.
The night really kicked off when our crawl led to Trinity College Irish Pub. Named after the Trinity College in Dublin, this spot was electric – loud music, great vibes, and a crowd that knew how to sing. I mean, the bartenders were even good-looking, especially this one black guy with dreadlocks. I would've loved to chat him up, but we had other stops to make and I had a plane to catch. After hitting a few more spots, the night finally wound down around 2 am. I said my goodbyes, grabbed my luggage, and headed for the airport.
Sure, there were some annoying parts, like the long airport wait that seemed to drag on forever and the painfully early return flight that left me bleary-eyed and exhausted. But these minor inconveniences were a small price to pay for the unforgettable experiences I had. I’ve only scratched the surface, and can’t wait to return.