When we first planned our trip to Rome we planned all the
normal things, trips to the Colosseum, to the Vatican but while walking the
cobblestone streets I realised there is so much more to the eternal city! Here
are the top 4 things about this Italian experience.
There
is nothing the Romans do better than pasta. Pasta in creamy milk sauces with
chicken hiding underneath layers of parmesan. Or pasta with a rich tomato sauce
and little bits of crispy bacon surprising you every now and then (also covered
in parmesan whoops). The choices of pasta can be overwhelming when an Italian
waiter asks you if you would prefer the fettuccine, linguine or rigatoni, just
take a guess the truth is they all taste better than the spaghetti that you
overcooked back home. I wish I could say I tried the pizza, or the fish which
seems to be quite popular, but my love affair with the pasta in the city got in
the way. All I can say is that you might need to go up a jean size when you get
home...When dining in Rome its always best done outside, I have never before
enjoyed the experience of eating dinner outside in winter, but pick a seat
outside a nice restaurant and you’ll be greeted with candles, flowers and fresh
air. Of course there were also patio heaters. It is January afterall.
2.
Gelato.
Keeping
on the food trend, what I must admit is the pasta is not the only thing that is
mouth watering in Roma. Despite the cool evenings and mornings the afternoons
in Rome were sunny and that called for gelato! A walk around Piazza Navona in
the sun with a carboard cup holding a heavenly desert. No one could resist.
Every other shop was an ice cream shop, they were everywhere and I was
grateful! The first night it actually ended up raining as we retreated back to
the hotel, but I couldn’t resist. I had ice cream anyway and then every day
after that. I tried mango, summer fruits, cherry, cheesecake, Oreo, Kinder.
Every flavour is delicious and will leave you wanting more, and more. One shop
even sold Viagra gelato, that one was not really my cup of tea though!
3. Sights.
There
is always something interesting to do/see in Rome. Tours to the Vatican and the
Colosseum may be long but they are definitely interesting! The Vatican museums
hold brilliant white marble sculptures, and we found out that they were
actually all painted it had just worn off over time! Large tapestries that hold
the stories of Moses and Jesus, and maps of Rome perfect in proportion yet made
before the time of helicopters and drones. The stories behind the intricate
paintings inside the Sistine chapel and the pope that had himself painted as
Peter to boost his ago is enough to keep anyone entertained, and the best part
is the end when you reach St Peter’s Basilica. It took 120 years to be rebuilt
into what it is today. Everything is so grand and holds so much detail it is
hard to not be amazed. I would advise to go during mass as well as that adds to
the experience. Hearing the hyms that are being sung resonate around the whole of
the basilica is peaceful and leaves you feeling truly touched. The colosseum is
also a great visit, and be sure to get a pass to the underground dungeons!
Learn about the shows that the emperors would put on, how the women had to sit
at the very top away from the alluring gladiators and that actually the darker
corners of the inside of the colosseum may well have just been called brothels.
Who said history couldn’t be interesting? There’s the Castle St Angelo which
has the most perfect views the higher you climb with little tables that offer
you the chance to dine and look out over central Rome. Then there is the
pantheon, the Spanish steps (which were unfortunately closed the whole time we
were there and the Trevi Fountain all a few minutes from each other. While you
are in Rome you can’t deny the chance to throw a coin into the Trevi, it
ensures your return to the beautiful city. I never thought something like the
Trevi Fountain could blow me away. The Sistine chapel, maybe. The pantheon,
maybe. Well nothing left me lost for words like the Trevi fountain did. Don’t
underestimate its size, or its beauty. Fun fact it is the end point of an
ancient Roman aquaduct! The best time to visit is the early hours of the
morning after one too many glasses of Rose, but don’t get your hopes up about
going paddling because its closely guarded by the polizia at all times.
4.
The Beauty
Visiting
the sites of the city can be amazing, but once you’ve been there done that it
can seem pointless to return but the beauty of the city will keep you
returning. The cobblestones may start to hurt your feet after hours of walking
but the little shops and restaurants decorated with fairylights (and
surprisingly a lot of Christmas lights still) make it worth it. The Piazza
Navona with its four beautiful fountains and multiple painters with breathtaking
watercolour paintings of the flowers hanging from balconies and the light
coloured stones of the buildings that compliment the carefree happy feeling in
the air when you take a walk in the afternoon sun will keep you inspired. Keep
you delighted. Keep you coming back.
