When In Rome

Shaleena
4 min readJul 20, 2021

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Italy and I have had some wonderful times together. I hope to reconnect with this lovely country at some point soon, but until then, I want to encourage other travelers to consider acquainting themselves with this land. Let me tell you why.

History: both ancient and fairly recent.

I could put ten thousand photos here and still not capture all the history that this country offers. Pick a city, any city, and you will find a treasure trove of interesting historical figures and event sites.

L to R: Arch of Titus (Roman Forum, Rome); John Keats grave marker (Rome); Pompeii

Art & Architecture

Go, and be amazed at the different styles of art and architecture developed here over the centuries. You won’t be bored.

T to B & L to R: Bernini’s Apollo & Daphne (Borghese Gallery, Rome); Inside the Roman Colosseum; On top of the Roman Colosseum; Trevi Fountain (Rome); Tower of Pisa; Farnese Atlas (National Archaeological Museum of Naples)

Food: isn’t this the main reason we travel?

I always get a bowl of pasta in Italy (just because) but I prefer Neapolitan pizza, pastries, fried fish, and roasted chicken. Do what your tastebuds are telling you to do though.

L to R: Pastries & Pasta in Almalfi; Neapolitan Pizza in Naples

Shopping

I am not a huge shopper stateside, but I do love shopping overseas. During one of our trips to Italy, my bag never arrived, but thanks to travel insurance, I had plenty of spending money to replace my lost luggage. It actually made the trip really fun, and secretly, I keep hoping it will happen again.

Avoid any shops that you can find where you live and experience something local

Walks Worth the Walk

Walking is a cathartic hobby for me and my husband, so we love being pedestrians in foreign cities. Italy offers some of the best streets to stroll and coastline trails to explore.

T to B & L to R: A view of Florence; Getting lost and found in Venice; A street in Naples; Trekking along the Amalfi Coast

Wonderful Views & Wonderful People

When you’re in Italy, remember to take it all in. Grab a cup of Venchi gelato and sit in a city square. Or, go find a view of the city where you are staying and watch the sunset. There is so much to see and do in Italy that it is easy to forget to enjoy it.

Most importantly, while you are soaking in Italian food and culture, don’t forget to meet its wonderful people. Strike up a casual conversation in your jumbled DuoLingo Italian. Sure, you’ll get some laughs, but the chance at a relationship with an Italian is worth it.

L to R: Mount Vesuvius; Amalfi Coast

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