Today, I want to share with you my recent trip to Rome with my husband, George. It was a short but sweet holiday, and we had an amazing time exploring this beautiful city.
From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the stunning architecture, the bustling streets, and the vibrant energy of Rome. We spent our days wandering through the narrow cobblestone streets, enjoying gelato in the sunshine, and taking in the sights and sounds of this historic city.
If you’re anything like George and myself and have decided to take a spur-of-the-moment trip to Rome, you might discover that tickets to popular sites like the Colosseum or the Forum can be unavailable or quite costly when purchased at the last minute. Don’t worry, though, as Rome has plenty of hidden gems that are worth exploring spontaneously. A great example is the Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano. This 12th-century Catholic church is famous for its well-preserved medieval and early Christian frescoes and mosaics. It is built on top of two older structures, a 4th-century basilica and a 2nd-century pagan temple, making it an interesting archaeological site to visit. Descending further into the building to uncover ancient religious dwellings, I couldn’t help but feel like I was exploring the Mary Poppins bag of architecture – full of endless surprises.
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Villa Medici. I was particularly excited to visit this cultural landmark because George and I enjoyed watching the TV series “Medici” on Netflix, a dramatisation of the powerful Italian family and their impact on art and politics. I enjoyed being surrounded by the family’s art collection and learning that the Villa continues to support artists through its residency programmes. George and I were thrilled to discover that composers Berlioz, Bizet, Ravel, and Ravel had all been assisted by scholarships from this program. As we stood on the rooftop garden, we were in awe of the city’s incredible skyline. It was enchanting to take in the architecture of this enchanting city. We also enjoyed visiting the Vatican City and admiring the art and architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Of course, no trip to Rome would be complete without indulging in the delicious food. We enjoyed pizza, pasta, and tiramisu at cosy little restaurants tucked away in alleys and squares. I would recommend visiting “La Carbonara”. An outstanding osteria that offers delectable food at reasonable prices. It is located at Via Panisperna, 214, 00184 Roma RM, Italy. And as you may have already guessed, their carbonara is fantastic!
Overall, our trip to Rome was a wonderful experience that we will never forget. We can’t wait to go back and explore more of Italy in the future. Thanks for reading, and happy travels!
