Authentic pasta, good music, heart-warming cappuccino and tiramisu, striking architecture, HOT weather – what’s not to love about Italy, right? So, when in a spur of a moment, my boyfriend proposed we went on a quick getaway to Rome, I was over the moon.
I get to live my own modern Roman Holiday?! But in this case, as I am a journalist, does that make me Gregory Peckand, who played the role of the American reporter, and him… Audrey Hepburn, so… the prince? Either way, I was excited to pack my bags and get well acquainted with the Eternal City.
So, he booked tickets for an early Monday morning flight and with our passports at the ready, luggage packed and fuelled by two cups of coffee each (plus an energy drink for him), we jumped in the cab and off we went…
After two hours and a half, touchdown was at about midday at Rome Ciampino airport, where we were greeted by our friend. Having someone who knows the ins and outs of a foreign city is like having a tour guide everywhere you go and we were really grateful.
As we still had some hours of sunlight left that Monday, we decided to drive to the beach, relax and eat some pizza and gelato.
If you know me, you know I love being by the sea. It might have to do with the fact that I’m a water sign or that nothing can really compare to that freeing feeling of swiming, sinking toes in the sand and lounging in the sun.
Any whiff of salt, suncream and wicker teleports me straight to the beach. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that we got to escape to the beach on this trip, too.
We swam, caught a tan and I spend the evening reading on a colourful towel with the crashing waves as the perfect background soundtrack.
So, we broke up our trip to Italy by spending a couple days by the beach, some exploring the city, one day in Naples and one day at the Marmore waterfall (we got a workout in, too, but I’ll get to that in a later post).
Now back to Rome.
Picture this: 21,000 steps, 35°C and phone memory filled to the brim.
On the first day of discovering what Rome has to offer, we first ticked off the list the Colosseum, the largest ancient amphitheatre, and the Roman Forum, which was the spot of public meetings, law courts and gladiatorial combats in ancient Rome.
We wandered around numerous narrow streets and ended up at Fontana di Trevi, the famous 18th-century fountain, where we couldn’t help but throw in a coin each.
According to Rome.net, the myth originates in 1954 from the movie “Three Coins in the Fountain”, which says if you throw in one coin, you will return to Rome. If you throw two coins, then you will fall in love with an Italian, or three coins to marry the person that you met.
This is probably one of my favourite moments in Rome but as stunning as the fountain is, know that’s also how busy and crowded it is. However, it’s so worth it – one of the most beautiful masterpieces I’ve ever seen.
Next on the list was Piazza di Spagna, one of the most famous squares in Rome. I somehow convinced Sebastian to recreate the iconic photo from the movie Roman Holiday, which was taken right on these steps.
I told you I’d live my own version of Vacanze Romane on this trip.
But the ice cream situation was a whole debacle… It was so hot on that day that it started melting from the second I stepped foot outside the gelateria.
So, as you can imagine, my hand, dress and the poor Spanish steps were covered in pistachio and coconut ice cream. Oops.
Plus… the sun was blinding my boyfriend and he couldn’t wait to get this impromtu photoshoot over with. At last, I’ll cherish this picture forever.
If you zoom in, you can see the ice cream dripping everywhere.
In our 21 kilometres by foot around Rome, we strolled down Via del Corso, where all the shops are and, of course, I had to go in and see the five-floor Zara. The dream! I also discovered the Italian makeup brand Wycon Cosmetics and I found a lush lip liner. If you get a chance to test this brand, it’s worth giving it a try.
We stopped by the Pantheon, which is the best preserved building from ancient Rome. Finished in 126AD, the Pantheon was a Roman temple with an interesting oculus that is the building’s main source of light.
Food. Let’s talk about the food… Where should I even begin? If I ever moved to Italy… I’d feel like I was in heaven.
From the authentic Roman pasta and sweet gelato to the multitude of pizza types and some of the best tiramisu I’ve ever tasted, nothing compares to Italian food.
We drank icy white Italian wine to get us through the heat and indulged in everything Italy has to offer. Ah, can I teleport back now, please?
I’ll leave you with some images, but beware… your stomach will probably start to rumble a bit.
*Bookmark these spots for your trip to Rome
We also climbed up the hillside at Piazza del Popolo to see Rome from above. Such an awe-inspiring view!
On our last day in Rome, we walked around the city once more, saw the Mausoleum of Hadrian, known as Castel Sant’Angelo, enjoyed delicious cappuccino at a riverside terrace, which was playing old Italian music, and found the cutest souvenirs to remember our perfect Roman holiday.
We also visited Vatican City and walked around St. Peter’s Square that leads to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. I was in awe of the architecture’s beauty.
So, farewell Rome – until next time, if the myth of the Trevi fountain comes true.
Stay tuned for all we’ve spotted in Naples and the Marmore waterfall.
See you soon,
Irina x
Irina Iacob 
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