My Roman Holiday

by Vineeta Pillai
(Cochin. Kerala, India)

Italy is probably the most naturally gifted country in the world, as one traveler said and only when I came here did I realize what he really meant. The canals of Venice, the elegant beauty of Florence and the Lake Como situated in a place straight out of fairy tales are some of the major attractions for travelers coming to Italy. But the capital Rome has its own unique charm that hasn’t diminished for centuries now and it attracts tourists from all over the world who come here for the stunning ancient structures, history and the food of course.

Being in a travel profession (I am currently working as a travel consultant for a travel managing company that provides kerala tour packages), I get to travel to lots of places. The Roman Kings were my heroes as a young man growing up and Gladiator fights inspired me. Hence I headed to the impressive Coliseum in the heart of the city as soon as I got here. I had seen the structure in movies many times before and seen many pictures of it too but was still blown away by its magnificence.

I couldn’t help but think of all the stories of the fights and great warriors that these walls hold in them as their treasured secrets. The trick to making the most of your time in Coliseum is coming here early to beat the crowds. The equally impressive Roman Forum is next door and I got myself a combined day pass for both these impressive sites saving myself good dough, which I happily spent on my night out.

The best thing about all the stunning sites in Rome is that they are practically at every nook and corner. Walking through the city you will stumble upon one architectural marvel after another, like I did with Fontana De Trevi. As I walked through the narrow bylanes the sound of water drew me to it and I knew what other travelers mean when they say, it’s a good idea to get lost in a new place as you never know what you might discover. The Pantheon and Spanish Steps in Rome are other tourist highlights that I had to take in and I was amazed that they live up to every written word about them.

Staying in a bread and breakfast around St Peter’s was another stab in the dark that paid dividends during my days in the Rome because I could beat the mad rush in town center. Moreover I was also a lot closer to the Vatican, which has its own set of loyal tourists every year. That means you have to contend with long queues any time of the day, but coming here was worth the wait.

But the highlight of my trip was the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, which is as awesome as I’d thought it would be and then some more.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do is not only a well known saying but it’s also the best travel advice I received before I came to Rome. So I ate delicious pizzas from road side joints like the locals rather than spending huge amounts in restaurants. Rome, known for its history and architecture also has the trendy district Trastevere, lined with cool bars and clubs, where I spent many evenings making friends with locals and fellow travelers who I still keep in touch with like the experience itself, which has left a lasting impression.