ITALY ADVENTURE: ROAMING THROUGH ROME, ON YOUR OWN BEFORE HEADING HOME!

Landing in Roma, Italia on the 10th of September 2022 was the cultural immersion I needed before heading to Italy's Tuscan region to study Italian at Il Sasso Language School in Montepulciano. The long transatlantic flight along with jet lag, a delayed train ride from the airport to the city, and walking to my hotel with luggage in the heat made me almost faint from exhaustion. I was delighted when I finally made it to my hotel called "Astoria Garden." It was a cozy and peaceful inside and I was so happy that my room was ready. I had to pay the city of Rome tax and it took me five minutes to find some Euros in my handbag  Once I was officially checked in, I walked up a flight of steps to my room and immediately took a long hot shower. Afterward I opened my doors, stepped onto the balcony and looked at the architecture and lush gardens before me. A cup of cappuccino in the garden beckoned me but I was too anxious to begin exploring the "Eternal City"even though I wasn't feeling my best.

                                    

                       My first day in Italy at the Astoria Garden Hotel (Roma)

Roma e una grande città. Rome is a big city and it can take months to explore all it has to offer. Of course there are the not to miss attractions; Colosseum, The Pantheon, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican City, all of this takes time and traveling so on my first day in Roma, I just walked around the neighborhood I was staying in and savored the simple things like eating some pizza and gelato. One of the best things to do upon arrival to Roma is to get on one of the "hop on and hop off" buses. This allows you to get a taste of all Roma has to offer without feeling overwhelmed. You can just sit through the whole bus journey and get back on the bus later and decide what areas to visit. One day in Roma isn't enough so after completing my three week Italian language course I returned to Roma (since my flight was departing from there) and enjoyed a few days to really explore the "City of Seven Hills."

Ancient Roma

THESE ARE A FEW OF ROME'S NEIGHBORHOODS:

Ancient Rome is located south of the city center and it is here where you'll find the great ruins of the ancient city. This area is entirely walkable and the top attractions are the world famous Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatino (Palatine Hill). 

Triente is where you'll find the beloved sights, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. This neighborhood also offers high end shopping, elegant restaurants, wonderful gelato shops, and glamorous pricey hotels. Enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride through this neighborhood dotted with colorful flowers and palm trees.

Trastevere a photogenic neighborhood with cobbled lanes and ivy-clad facades is an exciting neighborhood and relatively car-free which makes it perfect for walking.Worthy sights in Trastevere are the Basilica di Santi Maria, Botanical Gardens, Galleria Corsini, and Villa Farnesina.This neighborhood has a variety of popular bars, gourmet choice restaurants, hotels, and cozy bed and breakfast.

Vatican City, a sacred place and the world's smallest sovereign state sits over River Tiber. Home to the Pope, Vatican City brings in the crowds to see wonders such as Saint Peter's Basilica, the Michelangelo-painted Sistine Chapel, Vatican Library and other architecture masterpieces. Often crowded it is advised to reserve tickets in advanced.

About 30 kilometers from Rome is the town of Tivoli known for its thermal springs. Relax at Terme di Roma, Acque Albule. People come from all over the world to bathe here due to the healing therapeutic properties. Visit Unesco World Heritage, Hadrian's Villa, a large villa complex built in circa AD 120 by Roman Emperor Hadrian.

THINGS I DID, AS A SOLO TRAVELER, ROAMING THROUGH ROME ON MY OWN AND RECOMMEND:

Bus Tours are a recommended way to explore ROMA!

Take a hop on and off bus tour of Rome. This open air bus is perfect for seeing the sights and deciding where to get off to explore various area of Rome. Highly recommended! Roma Termini (Rome's main train station) is a good place to begin your tour as there are many buses departing from there. Try Big Bus Rome, Greenline Tours, InfoBus, or Gray Line. All are good choices.

Cooking Classes are taught all over Rome and worth taking. Italian cuisine is some of the best on the planet. Cooking classes are informative, not only do you learn how to prepare some of Italy's most popular foods but you also get to indulge in the food afterwards. Pasta, Pizza, Tiramisu are some of the things you get to prepare. Trip Advisor has a listing of cooking classes available in Rome on their website.

If you're traveling solo, consider staying at a hostel. After returning from my Italian studies in Montepulciano, Tuscany I had three days in Rome on my own and staying at the Bee Hive Hostel made my visit to Roma feel like I was with family. Conversations about travel, dining in restaurants, taking walking tours around Roma, and sharing a bottle of wine with new friends are the perks of a hostel stay.

                             A magnificent way to begin your day in Roma.


                              Caffes in Roma are abundant and perfectto.

Start your morning with outstanding coffee. Rome abounds with caffes. A cup of cappuccino or macchiato with a brioche is heavenly. I highly recommend a brioche with pistachio creme. Gelato is a must in Roma. Try as many flavors as you can. The cannolis, pasta dishes, risotto, & pizza in Roma are a culinary delight and not too expensive either. Indulge in Italian dishes that intrigue you. Limoncello, an Italian liqueur made from lemon zest is enjoyed by the Italians and tourists and can be purchased in bottles or by the glass.

                        An advantage of staying at a hostel in Rome is making friends!

Take a break and stroll through one of the public parks in Rome. Villa Borghese is the most central of Rome's main parts and covers 100 acres of gardens, woods, and grassy banks.Villa Ada once the private estate of King Vittorio Emanuele III is a big park with nearly 395 acres with lawn, lakes, and shady paths. Locals enjoy this park, especially during the summer when outdoor concerts are staged.

ROMA, ITALIA is a world class destination. Some tourists travel on a tour or in groups, some travel as a family or couple and then there are those like myself who travel solo. "When in Rome, do as the Romans." Having better knowledge of Italian would have made roaming through Rome on my own much more manageable and pleasant. Regardless, visiting ROMA was a dream come true and despite a few setbacks my visit was filled with wonder, excitement, and cultural immersion. If you find yourself in Rome, enjoy all the "Eternal City" has to offer before you head back home.

                                                                           

                             Gelato in Italy is the ultimate! Magnificent!

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME IN ROME!

PASSARE DEI BEI MOMENTI A ROMA!