SOLO TRAVEL ARCHIVES: ROME
When I first visited Rome I was a twenty-something solo traveler excited to visit Italy for the first time. What I was surprised to discover is that many visitors have had mixed feelings about this eternal city. After a while I started to wonder, am I also one of those people? I often contended with masses of people, sweltering heat and tourist traps at every turn. I also didn't get to admire the Trevi Fountain because it was closed and completely under construction (if you picture how Big Ben currently looks in 2020 you will feel my pain). But despite not getting to toss a coin in one of Europe's most beloved landmarks, did I still enjoy Rome and would I return?
One of my first memories of Rome is having what I still consider the best sleep of my life. After a long travel day from Scotland I passed out watching an Italian drama and woke up an impressive 10 hours later with the Roman sun peaking through my curtains. I felt so incredibly rested, but rested is not exactly how I would describe this city. As soon as I left the charming confines of my hotel, a first day of dodging vespas, melting gelato disasters and blistered feet awaited me, with not a single Starbucks in sight. Rome is a challenging place for coffee drinkers from across the pond. We are used to large orders, taking our drinks with us and savoring each sip. But I had little choice but to do as the Romans do and down a strong but tiny espresso. Don't even think about having a cappuccino after noon.
A European summer always draws crowds but July here is no joke. The streets were always full meaning I kept a close eye on my belongings. Though I felt pretty safe in Rome, I had to deflect quite a lot of street sellers trying to offer me roses or other little gifts. Learning to zone out possible schemes became part of my routine. Unfortunately things like petty theft or being overcharged by taxis happens here, but using common sense will go a long way. Rome is no ordinary city and that's why it is always flooded with tourists.
Rome has some of the most extraordinary monuments. We are talking thousands of years of history right in front of your eyes. I remember how happy I was finding the Colosseum within walking distance. Unfortunately by the time I reached it I was done for. It was so hot I ended up buying a sun hat and sinking onto the nearest bench. The outfit I picked for myself was already ruined from chocolate as I never got the hang of gelato melting instantaneously. I admired the Colosseum from a far, clutching my water bottle and feeling like I, myself, had just been through a gladiator battle. All joking aside, this piece of history is incredible but takes some advanced planning. The lines are something you should be prepared for and I underestimated them. To be fair, everything else seemed quite accessible. I was able to weave in and out of some very famous squares and churches pretty easily and got lost in some of the loveliest side streets I've ever seen. One minute I was shoulder-to-shoulder with people and the next I would find myself in an empty passage with only a few locals and a scooter against the wall. I also loved the small details like shutter boards, hanging laundry and potted plants from the windows. On the glamorous Via Con Detti I walked among the giants of Italian designers and was reminded why they are the heart of the fashion world. In the evening I climbed the Spanish Steps back to my hotel and took in the sizzling skyline. Everything here seemed to have a golden hue attached to it all times, from the sky to the buildings. This is the Rome I love to remember.
One of my first memories of Rome is having what I still consider the best sleep of my life. After a long travel day from Scotland I passed out watching an Italian drama and woke up an impressive 10 hours later with the Roman sun peaking through my curtains. I felt so incredibly rested, but rested is not exactly how I would describe this city. As soon as I left the charming confines of my hotel, a first day of dodging vespas, melting gelato disasters and blistered feet awaited me, with not a single Starbucks in sight. Rome is a challenging place for coffee drinkers from across the pond. We are used to large orders, taking our drinks with us and savoring each sip. But I had little choice but to do as the Romans do and down a strong but tiny espresso. Don't even think about having a cappuccino after noon.
A European summer always draws crowds but July here is no joke. The streets were always full meaning I kept a close eye on my belongings. Though I felt pretty safe in Rome, I had to deflect quite a lot of street sellers trying to offer me roses or other little gifts. Learning to zone out possible schemes became part of my routine. Unfortunately things like petty theft or being overcharged by taxis happens here, but using common sense will go a long way. Rome is no ordinary city and that's why it is always flooded with tourists.
Rome has some of the most extraordinary monuments. We are talking thousands of years of history right in front of your eyes. I remember how happy I was finding the Colosseum within walking distance. Unfortunately by the time I reached it I was done for. It was so hot I ended up buying a sun hat and sinking onto the nearest bench. The outfit I picked for myself was already ruined from chocolate as I never got the hang of gelato melting instantaneously. I admired the Colosseum from a far, clutching my water bottle and feeling like I, myself, had just been through a gladiator battle. All joking aside, this piece of history is incredible but takes some advanced planning. The lines are something you should be prepared for and I underestimated them. To be fair, everything else seemed quite accessible. I was able to weave in and out of some very famous squares and churches pretty easily and got lost in some of the loveliest side streets I've ever seen. One minute I was shoulder-to-shoulder with people and the next I would find myself in an empty passage with only a few locals and a scooter against the wall. I also loved the small details like shutter boards, hanging laundry and potted plants from the windows. On the glamorous Via Con Detti I walked among the giants of Italian designers and was reminded why they are the heart of the fashion world. In the evening I climbed the Spanish Steps back to my hotel and took in the sizzling skyline. Everything here seemed to have a golden hue attached to it all times, from the sky to the buildings. This is the Rome I love to remember.
Most of us agree that Italy is known for the people and the food. I didn't go out of my way to find the most local dishes but did discover some delicious cuisine. Could I have ventured out and found better, more authentic food? Yes, definitely. I'm sure if you really got to know Rome you could find the most magical moonlit restaurants. But I was happy to sit at a cafe in Piazza Navona and people watch for an hour. Admittedly I ordered a glass of wine to feel more genuine. Sometimes you are more the tourist and less the traveler and that is definitely the route I went for this trip. I didn't venture too far from the main sights even though I know there is so much more to this destination than the bucket list attractions. The locals I came across seemed friendly with big personalities and their expressive language is something my foreign ears could never get tired of listening to. Rome was a real mix of being hectic but also leisurely. I'm still trying to figure out which side it leans more towards.
After four days it was time to say ciao. I was really going to miss my hotel which started to feel like my own little villa. On my last night I watched random fireworks from my balcony and met a new local-a wall lizard, which are apparently a thing here. Let's just say I cut my evening short and went back inside to my suitcase. Since my flight left later I was able to enjoy one more slow, Italian morning before making my way to the airport. The hospitable staff checked me out efficiently and called me a taxi. What should have been a simple two hour flight to London turned into much longer as we were delayed just before takeoff due to a storm. The exhaustion of a couple weeks of travel and sitting still on a plane for a couple hours must have caught up with me as I could feel my emotions rising. I also felt deprived of caffeine since as I stated before, I was not very good at following Italy's coffee rules back then. Those feelings were fleeting however and we were eventually up in the air and on our way.
So what was the verdict? Truthfully, I was fine with Rome being a once-in-a-lifetime trip. But over the years I have grown quite sentimental about my time there, particularly when I see it in a movie or photograph. It is absolutely one of the world's most beautiful cities and the historic architecture is second to none. I know if I had the chance to go back I would definitely embrace some of its more challenging aspects and drink way more coffee, even if it wasn't on my terms. Maybe one day I will return and finally make my wish.
Have you been to Rome and what was your experience like?
So what was the verdict? Truthfully, I was fine with Rome being a once-in-a-lifetime trip. But over the years I have grown quite sentimental about my time there, particularly when I see it in a movie or photograph. It is absolutely one of the world's most beautiful cities and the historic architecture is second to none. I know if I had the chance to go back I would definitely embrace some of its more challenging aspects and drink way more coffee, even if it wasn't on my terms. Maybe one day I will return and finally make my wish.
Have you been to Rome and what was your experience like?
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