Other than a road trip with my family where we drove into Canada for a couple of days when I was in late middle school, I had never had the opportunity to travel outside of the U.S. Around that same time in middle school, one of my teachers gave us an assignment where we had to plan a dream vacation, with budget, activities, etc. I planned my dream vacation to Rome, so it was very special to get to live that out! Overall things to note for our time in Rome: - The gas stations here were interesting to me! They were basically little curbside stops - very different than U.S. gas stations. Google "gas stations in Rome" to see examples! - Everything was very walkable, but the roads were often very narrow, and the drivers are often very confident. There were times when we were walking on a curb a few inches wide, pressed up against a building, and cars were driving by just a couple of inches away like it was no big deal. - This goes for the whole trip, but I forgot the regular lens for my camera and I was so disappointed to only be able to get phone photos. - We had Kevin's credit card and Kevin's phone, but didn't get an international credit card or sim card for me, assuming we'd be together the whole time and wouldn't need it. I wouldn't recommend this for future trips - it would've been much easier if we'd both had access to our phones and money! - It was amazing to see such ancient history right in the middle of the city. We'd be walking on a busy street with very modern buildings, then turn a corner and suddenly see the Colosseum or other ruins. - Coffee shops are not typically cozy, sit-down locations like we have in the U.S. Most of the time, you order a quick coffee, drink it standing at the counter, then move on to your next location. - All over the places we saw in Italy, we saw the most gorgeous colors and varieties of flowers. I was constantly stopping to snap photos of them! This was also my first experience with TSA PreCheck. I can't believe I waited this long to get it - it's well worth the price! Click "Read more." DAY ONE: We had our lengthy flight from OKC to Rome. I had to face my fear of using airplane bathrooms, and had my first taste of airplane food. We re-watched some of Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy on the flight - we had watched the whole show previously, and it inspired several of the stops on our trip! Once we arrived, our first stop was Forno Monteforte, a coffee shop & bakery, where we had a delicious pastry and some coffee. Mortazza 4/5 Capp 3.5/5 We weren't able to check in to our Airbnb yet, so we dropped off our belongings and then wandered around. We stopped at another coffee shop, wanted by the Campo de Fiori Market, and then explored the Testacchio area. We grabbed some snacks at Trapizzino. Meatball trap 3/5 Suppli 2/5 We visited Aventine Hill, where we looked through a little keyhole that had a pretty view on the other side. We also saw Giardino degli Aranci (the orange tree garden), Palentine Hill, the Colosseum (we didn't tour - just saw the outside), and the Pantheon. We took a scenic walk back to the Airbnb to get ready for dinner. Then we grabbed a drink at Sheva. Espresso martini 3.5/5 After our drinks, we walked over to Nonna Bette, one of the restaurants featured on Stanley Tucci's show. The waiters kept trying to explain to us that we had ordered 3 different pasta dishes, and we kept trying to explain that we knew and wanted to try everything. We had multiple waiters coming by our table to see if we really ordered and ate 3 pastas - They were amazed that we finished them all! Fried artichoke 3/5 Cacio e Pepe 3.5/5 Amatriciana 4/5 Eggplant pasta 3.5/5 DAY 2 We saw SO MUCH on Day 2! We grabbed coffee at La Casa del Caffe Tazza d'Oro. Then we visited Trevi Fountain, and took a drink out of the Lovers' Fountain off to the side (it's said that if you drink out of it together, you'll stay together forever!). We saw a beautiful courtyard nearby, then visited the Spanish steps (underwhelming, in our opinions). We found a pretty coffee shop with flowers all over the outside, explored a gorgeous church, and found the Lego store - complete with a Lego Trevi Fountain and gladiators! We ate lunch at Gino Sorbillo. The sauce from the meatballs was one of my favorite things we ate on the trip! Neapolitan meatballs 4.5/5 Fried zucchini blossoms 3/5 Mortadella e pistachio pizza (I didn't eat this one, so I can't rate it!) Margherita pizza 4/5 We then went to Vatican City (another country I can check off my list!) We did not think we'd care to see this, but even just the outside was impressive. We wished we'd booked a tour, but we enjoyed seeing the outside! We also got bread from Panificio Bonchi, where the Pope gets his bread. Pope bread 3.5/5 While we were wandering, we stumbled across Hotel Atlante. They had a rooftop garden bar that was really pretty, with beautiful views. It was also very uncrowded and quiet! This was one of our favorite finds! Aperol spritz 3.5/5 We grabbed dinner at Saltimbocca Ristorante. Caesar salad 2.5/5 Italian mojito 3/5 Carbonara 4.5/5 (another one of our favorites!) Then we stopped for drinks at Freni e Frizioni, a punk-themed bar in Trastevere. We had seen this recommended a lot, but weren't impressed. It was loud, sticky, poor seating, not in a convenient area, and drinks were meh. DAY 3
We stopped in at a restaurant I can't remember the name of for breakfast before catching our train to Florence... Which will begin my next post! Cappuccino 2.5/5 Croissant 3.5/5 Jam 4/5 Pecorino potatoes 2.5/5
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About the AuthorSydney Aerin is a published and performing poet, as well as a licensed therapist. She is passionate about disability awareness, mental health education, and equality for all. Sydney lives in Oklahoma City with her two dogs, Lily and Padfoot. Archives
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