This weekend is our first travel weekend, and we have four days to go wherever we desire! Some friends and I chose to split our days evenly between Rome and Florence, which turned out to be a great decision.
Friday, after our classes ended, we took a bus to the train station in Castelfranco, which took us to the Venice train station. From there, we got on a high-speed rail headed to Rome. We got to the Rome Termini train station around 23:00 but still had to make it to our Airbnb on the opposite side of the city near the Vatican. About an hour later, with my backpack feeling much heavier than I remember and my suitcase getting on my nerves, we walked up the three flights of stairs to our Airbnb’s door. Needless to say, we all slept so well.
We were up and moving from the moment our alarms went off Saturday morning. We decided to wake up at 09:00 to avoid wasting the day sleeping it away. However, the boys woke up a bit earlier, so while Emily and I finished getting ready, they went out and ate breakfast for all of us. Conveniently, there was a pasticceria one block away from our apartment. Federico and Carlo, two brothers who we had befriended at CIMBA and who live in Rome, offered to take us on a tour of the city, so they met us at our Airbnb at 10:00.
We started the day at Piazza del Popolo. Federico showed us the “echoing wall” and the view from the Terrazza del Pincio in Piazzale Napoleone I. From the lookout, the six of us went down Via del Corso in the middle of the trident. We stopped at Nike, Zara, and a few other stores to do some light shopping. We walked to Parliament Square, Piazza di Monte Citorio, Piazza Capranica, and the Piazza della Rotunda. We also walked around the Pantheon too! We didn’t go in because the line was so long, but we admired from the outside. Cam read Rick Steve’s book aloud with historical facts every time we stopped; that way, we knew what we were admiring.
Carlo and Federico were also very helpful in explaining the significance of sights. It was like having two personal tour guides. Federico also told us about the history of the pantheon. Between Rick Steves, Federico, and Carlo, I feel cultured regarding the history of Rome. Walking around and randomly remembering something I learned from my history textbook years ago was fun! Shoutout to my mom, who made me sit down, study, and do my homework. We all drank from the fountain in front of the Pantheon because Federico told us that you can drink tap water no matter where you are in Rome. Even out of public fountains! How crazy is that?! The States must come a long way before I’ll drink from a public fountain back home.
After the Pantheon, we decided to have lunch at a place one of Federico’s friends recommended. We all had the same thing – a sample plate with carbonara, cacio e pepe, and amatriciana. All three of which are classic Roman pasta dishes and all three were delicious! Although, I will say that the carbonara was my favorite.
We visited the Spanish Steps after lunch but couldn’t take in the view too long before it started to pour down rain. Federico and Carlo took us to the first McDonald’s that was ever opened in Italy to get out of the rain.
Fast forwarding to Sunday since the rest of Saturday consisted of exploring the nightlife in Rome.
We didn’t leave the apartment till 13:30 because we stayed out till the wee hours of the morning on Sunday. Our afternoon was spent walking around the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Roman Forum. By the time we made it to the Trevi fountain, the sun had set. However, the fountain was beautiful even in the dark! I dug in my purse for some coin to toss in and then just sat for a good while people-watching, taking pictures, and visiting with friends.
One thing is for certain, I could have spent the entire four-day weekend in Rome since there is so much to take in and enjoy! At first, I was hesitant to go to the colosseum and the Roman forum, but I would go back again in a heartbeat. Learning the history of the city only made me want to spend more time there.