Travel destinations: Rome, Italy – Part 1

Last Spring I boarded a 4 hour flight with two of my closest friends and headed for the fantastic city that is Roma! My best friends parents had bought us the holiday as an 18th birthday present and instantly i couldn’t wait to go. I had studied Italian for 4 years at school and I was already dying to try out what I had learned to see how it matched up to the Italians. Suffice to say I didn’t last very long speaking Italian but what a city.

From the moment we arrived the smell was overwhelming. You could almost smell the culture and history of the city. I’d seen pictures of Rome before but nothing can prepare you for the real thing. The first day we arrived we wandered around the old cobblestoned streets just marveling in the glorious sounds and smells. People talking , the faint sound of Italian words being mumbled, the noise of the mopeds so many Romans favored and the fantastic sound of the breeze blowing as we walked made the holiday one I’ll always remember. During the day the weather was hot but tolerable. There was a light breeze which kept us cool and we’d learned early on that carrying water was an essential. We’d spend our days browsing through stores, standing in awe as we walked along the Via Condotti and laughing with each other by the Trevi Fountain. Our hotel was a small quaint little place just off the main street in Rome , close to the main train station which meant we where central to everything we needed. We visited the most amazing sights – the trevi, the Spanish steps,the Vatican , a million and one art galleries, gathering and breathing in as much history as we could. We couldn’t quite believe how beautiful the city was.

The Roman people where like no others id met. So welcoming and friendly. And so uniquely proud of their glorious city. Why shouldn’t they be? Its the place where civilization began? Their heritage was literally sprinkled all over the city in interesting tourist spots , which made Rome as fascinating as it was. The most fabulous part of Rome was how the city changed at night. The street lights twinkled against the night sky like a million stars lost in the darkness. The city really did come alive at night. The fondest memory i have of Rome is sitting by the Trevi Fountain late at night eating gelato and laughing uncontrollably. The feeling of such intense relaxation was amazing. The city truly does sparkle. I’d recommend Rome to anyone for a holiday – I’m no history buff but even i couldn’t help but be moved by the intensity of the history of Rome. And you can see it all around – the streets, the people, the sights – its all magical. And without a doubt being inside the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican…the center of the Catholic Church was the most poignant moment in my life so far. I’m not a religious person but you can instantly feel your in the presence of somewhere truly spectacular the second you enter the church. The high ceilings painted my Michelangelo are stunning, breathtaking views that will be forever imprinted in my mind. There really is no more beautiful place in Rome than right there , inside the Chapel marveling at such beautiful pieces of art.

Sadly our holiday ended all to quickly , before long we where home. But I’m definitely visiting Rome again , this time for longer. Its a shame to spend a short time in such a vastly significant city. Not to mention a truly beautiful holiday destination.