Rome, Italy
Walking & Talking
Day 1. Rome is for walking, just make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Yes, I've learned the lesson the hard way after spending twelve hours on my feet on that first day. Venture out with no destination and no reservations and explore the many hidden passageways, side streets & open squares, and you'll be rewarded with a truly unique experience. Newcomer? Your best bet is to first visit the historical neighborhood of Trastevere near the city's center.
Start off by having a cappuccino or latte at one of its many piazzas. My favorite is the gilded basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere. Remember, Italians have cappuccinos before noon, so be sure to add a frothy coffee to accompany your cornetto while you people watch on the cobblestone streets of millennial Rome.
Transportation is easy. The closer you stay to the city center, the better. You don't have to break the bank to do it either. As long as you're within walking distance of the subway system, you can freely move about the city.
- Tip: If you wish to meet new people, you can stay at a hostel or a budget hotel (shared rooms).
If you find yourself alone and looking for travel companions, there are many options. My favorite of them all is the Couchsurfing app. You can find other travelers who share your interests & desire for adventure through the "Hang Outs" feature within the app itself. Equally, social gathering opportunities are always ample. Again, I point you towards the Couchsurfing for locals' advice.
On that first day I met a traveler who would come to change my entire life. She would teach me important life lessons that set me on the course to my personal transformation (but that's a topic for another day). This is one of the first places we visited:
Awe at the magnificence of the Trevi Fountain! A visit is a much richer experience than any photograph could ever render. Don't forget to toss your coin over shoulder, ensuring your return to this wondrous city.
Just further down that same the street you'll find a plethora of gelaterias from where to choose your favorite familiar or exotic flavors. You can never go wrong with pistacchio!
Walking the streets of Rome is a treat in and of itself, akin to a child in a candy store. My companion and me did so with no destination in mind nor care in the world. And it's by setting out into a sea of adventure that adventure inevitably finds you. Everywhere you look there's something to be uncovered, discovered. Namely: the architecture, people, the city's vibe, and perhaps more.
Just a stone throw's away from the Tiber River there's a tiny square, Piazza Trilussa, where busking performers give their best renditions. You might catch a unique performance at an arm's length & regale in music or awe in wonder at a magic show. Don't forget to bring your own beers & snacks.
Tired and exhausted, we finally made it back to a beautiful reality.
They say the only way to see Rome is by foot. And good company makes for good conversation; but great company makes for great conversation, and at times, life-changing experiences!
After all that sightseeing, how about a sundowner? The Spanish Steps is the perfect spot. Here, couples gather under the Roman sun, Aperol in one hand and the palpable hope of a dream in the other. In need of a secluded spot away from the crowds? Get there early. During my stay to Rome, I spent many excellent mornings and evenings watching the sun rise and set from those very steps. There's even a café just down the sloping street where to find a fresh pastry and a caffe.
In need of romance? How about revisiting Trastevere at night, which takes on a unique life of its own. The many terraces beckon you to a bohemian experience. Or how about a sweet limoncello under candlelight to set the mood?
My companion & I decided to call it a night and headed out into the dead of night, street lamps illuminating our path through those cobblestone-lined alleyways.
After a long twelve-hour day of running around as children do, tired and exhausted we finally made it back to a beautiful reality.
From the Castel at the foot of Vatican City to the Palatine Hills, Rome has plenty of monuments and alleyways to explore and enough splendorous landmarks to bear witness to. It is a city filled with wonder & beauty and is always, as Rick Steves once said, eternally engaging!
Read about Day 2 of the Rome experience.
Read more about my Roman travels in my book