Postcard from Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy
Arrived in: Milan via a 4.5 hour train ride from La Sepzia
My first impression is: GRAND CHAOS. We went from a quiet little coastal village (population 10,000) to the bustling city of almost 3 million people. Our cab drive from the train station had us weaving in and out of traffic, barely missing other cars and pedestrians as we saw some of Rome's most famous monuments from the backseat windows.
I'm most excited about:
- Being a tourist and visiting all of the must see attractions including; the Pantheon, Palatine, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, etc. We got up early this morning to visit the Colosseum. It's kind of a zoo, but I'm glad we went through with purchasing tickets and venturing inside. Even if it was with thousands of other people!
-- Pro Tip: It's so worth it to book your tickets in advance and online so you don't have to wait in line when you arrive. Buy from the official website here. - Wandering the streets with no destination in mind
- Eating more gelato
I'm surprised that: it's so busy already and it's the beginning of May. I can't imagine how crowded it must be in the summer.
I learned: a lot about traditional Roman food. Also, our host mentioned that the younger generation of Italians are preferring to drink beer over wine. After Jared told him he was into craft beer, he sent us to Bir & Fud. It was the best pizza and beer we've had since arriving in Italy.
The best thing is that:
- you can be out late at night and feel completely safe. We ventured to the Coliseum last night after dinner and there were still so many people up and about. It feels like the city doesn't get much sleep!
- our AirBNB host is a wonderful source of knowledge and has provided so many fantastic recommendations. Jared and I prefer to stay with a host when we travel vs getting a private accommodation for this particular reason. It's so helpful to have a guide who can steer you in the right direction and I feel a stronger connection with the place I'm visiting when I can meet face to face with someone who lives and breathes the culture and location.