Ah, Rome, the eternal city that never fails to captivate us with its beauty and charm. We certainly found ourselves falling in love again on our recent visit because the magic was still very much alive.
Falling in love with Rome all over again:
All roads lead to Rome I guess. Our original plan had been to visit Rome and then go onward to Livorno and finish off in Bologna, but of course, I had to change the itinerary.
We both realized we only wanted to visit someplace new in Italy so we decided to add a third place but we weren’t really excited about Livorno because we figured it would be better as a day trip.
We therefore changed to Pisa as the middle destination only for us to realize that neither one of us really cared to visit there either and we would rather also do a day trip.
What really caused the change too was the price of the accommodation. Dios mio! Just as expensive as Bologna and Florence. I was gobsmacked!
We therefore decided that since we would be paying the same money anyway, why not go to Florence, a place we both know and love from past visits? So, that’s what we did! It’d been four years since our last visit.
This first recap is of Rome, our first destination where we spent a few days with my sister-in-law and her children. Fun times and so much good food. We also found the time to sightsee.
Revisiting the Icons of Rome:
Long lines formed a queue at the Pantheon, and I was glad that we had previously visited the breathtaking dome on several occasions. It reminded me once again of the architectural genius of ancient Rome. They really knew how to build the good stuff that lasts forever.
If you’re interested in tours, consider GetYourGuide, we’ve used them in places like Porto and Poland on our travels.
Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps:
Always buzzing and it left us with a renewed appreciation for the city’s ability to blend history seamlessly into the present. I never stop saying that it’s living, breathing history where you walk in the footsteps of the ancient Romans.
Despite the ridiculous number of times we’ve visited, Rome never fails to show us different sides. I was more than willing to stay a few more days, but Fede, having lived there most of his life, was ready to flee after a few days with kids :-).
I won’t bother sharing about the Colosseum since I’ve already written about it a few times, like here with the Palatine Hill.
Foodie Delights:
Let’s talk about the real heart and soul of Rome, its food, and perhaps my favorite pastime as you know. We didn’t do a food tour this time, but I highly recommend them.
Breakfast Goodies Meant Bliss:
Every time we visit she discovers a new bar to try. This was the best one so far. Those square things taste like French Toast and Cinnamon rolls combined and topped with pistachio. There were Chinese tourists staying at the hotel and they lined up to take photos of them. They are insanely delicious and just forget about the sugar content.
Mornings in Rome are decadent. Each morning started with these and more from a bar close to where my SIL lived. I think I might have gained 20 pounds or so.
The only saving grace if you can call it that was that the elevator was broken in her building which meant we had to walk up and down six flights of stairs! I am not ashamed to say I huffed and puffed a lot! This also meant that I didn’t feel an inkling of guilt… haha!
Lunch and Dinner:
Continuing the Adventure: As the saying goes, all roads lead to Rome, but our adventure didn’t stop there. We hopped on a train, eager to get to Florence and it did not disappoint.
Next up will be our further travel as we explore the art, history, and of course, the foodie delights that await us in Florence.
Have you been to Rome lately? Would you go back?
Last time I was in Rome was 11 years ago when I was in college….who am I kidding it was actually 26 years ago (god, I am getting old). I went with three friends and none of us liked the city. Perhaps it is time to give it a second look. Enjoy Bologna – my favorite city in Italy for food.
I most definitely agree with you about the food in Bologna. Just reading your comment makes me salivate :-). Yeah, I think Rome is one of those places where you either love it or hate it. So glad I do, otherwise it’d be awkward… haha! I like the gritty stuff.
Have you or Fedo watched the Italian series – L’amica Geniale? One of the best TV shows in recent history. That, more than anything, makes me want to return to Italy.
I’ve never heard it. I will ask him because he watches a lot of the Italian shows. I always want to return to Italy :-).