Walking & Discovering

Second day in Rome saw a rekindling of my spirit after a magical first day. After my revelation that life is what you make it to be and the importance of getting lost in the moment, I was determined to relive that magic of adventure. 

Taking to the streets, I once again stood in awe for there was always something new to see on every street and every corner of Rome's city center. 

Randomly roaming the streets of any city is bound to lead you to places often unexplored by casual tourists and rarely unpublished in any tourist guide. It's the best way to discover a new place—spots, people, and hidden treasures—to get lost only to reemerge into the unknown. Everything witnessed in-between is what makes the search worthwhile.

Not far from there, heading downslope and back to the city center, you will also find the Da Vinci Museum near the colossal People's Square. 

Just a short walking distance away is the historic center and Trevi district. As you make your way down the road, don't forget to enjoy the view and take a picture of Rome from afar.

Right about now you may want to stop for a freshly-cut porchetta sandwich & a birra or perhaps an authentic pizza tondo or pizza al taglio at one of the many restaurants and eateries near Rome's city center. If you're on a budget, you can stop at one of the bristling mini-convenience stores around town and pick up a light snack and beverages. 

Remember, there are many squares around town to stop for breather, and there's always the banks of the Tiber river coursing its way through Rome's itself.

• Tip: Dare to get lost in the moment
  

Head to the monumental Pantheon where were pagan gods were once stood; nowadays, it's a Christian temple where mass is still held. Inside, the oculus casts a beam of light emanating from the heavens above, resplendent and nourishing. Just outside its hulking doors you'll find a busy piazza with its obelisk fontana, a perfect spot for people-watching. 

I find that people are the lifestream of a city, and these interactions with strangers add flavor to the experience, whether with locals or other travelers. Try it!

If people watching is what you're into, head on over to the Piazza Navona where locals and tourists alike gather. Baroque architecture will greet you along with its three fountains, including the Fountain of the Four Rivers, and the Church of St. Agnes in Agone. The square has different flavors both during the day and at nighttime. Buskers gather nightly as well as friends and couples on a night out in town. And there are plenty of places to sit and have yourself a glass of wine.

But my favorite church, for reasons I will not mention in my travel articles but that I expand upon in my book, is the Basilica of Our Lady of Trastevere. 

• Hint: Romance

Of course, one cannot leave Rome without the requisite visit to the Colosseum. Step in and lay your hands on the same stone-cold walls many Roman soldiers, prisoners, and slaves must've grazed many centuries ago on their way to glory or death. Much like them, I too was in a state of turmoil—inner turmoil—that is: death of my old self. 

Travel was my outlet and best therapy money can buy. Glory was waiting at the end of that tunnel!

Stay tuned for Part 3 of my Roman tour and read more about my world adventures culminating the ultimate tour de force. 

Like I always say, go and explore on your own or better yet, find like-mined explorers to join you on your quest. Check out Day 1 of my Roman tour in case you missed it. 

What you've just read is just small account of my Roman experience. If you'd like to get all the juicy details (tales of romance, adventure, and rebirth) and perhaps more, check out my book.