Last Updated on June 21, 2019 by Brianna Sitkowski
Rome is one of the most magical places I have ever been to (next to Disneyland). There is a new adventure waiting for you no matter what direction you turn. After my visit to London, I spent five days in Rome for orientation. Each day was filled with phenomenal tours of all that Rome has to offer. I learned and saw so much more than I did three years ago when I visited with my high school.
With so much to do and see I have come up with the top five things to “Rome” into.
The Colosseum
For starters, it is HUGE (and has many stairs, so wear comfy shoes). The Colosseum is an oval amphitheater located in the heart of Rome. The monument was used to host gladiator shows and other events. It is so incredible that it is still standing after all of these years. It has only been around since 80 AD. Everyone thinks it is made out of only concrete, because how else would it last this long? Well, it’s not… it’s made out of sand and concrete. Unbelievable! Right?
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome is equally amazing. It is so crazy to know that it has been around since the 8th century B.C. Julius Caesar’s tomb containing his ashes are only there. No big deal.
Trevi Fountain
My absolute favorite spot in Rome is La Fontana di Trevi (The Trevi Fountain). It is so perfect. At the fountain, you are supposed to throw a coin over your LEFT shoulder and you will get three wishes.
- That you will return to Rome.
- That you will find true love.
- That you will get one more wish to come true.
Two out of three wishes of mine came true the last time I was here three years ago, so I hope that all three will come true this time around. For all you Lizzie McGuire fans out there, I captioned my boomerang on Instagram “Dov’é Paolo?” (“Where’s Paolo?”)
Vatican City
No matter what your religious beliefs are, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and all of the Vatican Museums is a highly educational experience for everyone. For example, the Sistine Chapel ceiling was painted between 1508 and 1512 by the well-known Renaissance artist, Michelangelo. There is so much art and history, that it is like turning the page of a history book. But, it is better because you get to see it in person.
A Plate of Pasta Carbonara
Pasta Carbonara is made with eggs, cheese, bacon, and black pepper. It is mouthwatering. Most restaurants in Rome will have it on their menu, as it is a delicacy there. Spaghetti is the most common type of pasta used for this dish; however, fettuccine, rigatoni, linguine or bucatini can also be used. A trip to Rome is not completed without trying Pasta Carbonara.
All in all, Rome was such an amazing stop on this journey. It gave all of us students a chance to get to know each other before classes started and experience all that Rome has to offer together. I will cherish my visit to Rome in my memory for as long as I live. With some luck, I will be back.
This post was contributed by Brianna Sitkowski, who is studying abroad with AIFS in Florence, Italy.
