Rome has plenty of must-sees and do's that will keep you occupied for days. My 4-day stay in Rome was a whirlwind experience that included visits to popular sites such as St. Peter's Square, The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, and of course the world-renowned Colosseum.
Once you get out and about to explore the old country, you quickly will realize why Italy is a popular tourist destination. From its historic landmarks to the modern-day shops and boutiques that are embedded throughout the city, you will find plenty of local mom-and-pop shops as well as some well-known brands in the city.
One thing you won't find a shortage of is food! I cannot say there was a particular restaurant I liked, but one thing I found myself eating throughout my trip was gelato (more commonly known as ice cream to us Americans lol). On any given square block you can grab some gelato from one shop, continue on your trek down the street, finish, and be standing in front of another shop ready for another one. I must have had gelato 4 times a day throughout my stay in Italy, but surprisingly enough with all the walking that I did, I did not gain a single pound!
One of the must-do's in Italy is the Vatican Museum. This museum is filled with plenty of ancient marvels. You will find statues, artifacts, tapestries, and paintings done by some of the world's most famous artists. I wish I could say I can remember every little detail of my trek throughout the museum, but there are some highlights I can easily recall, such as the larger-than-life head of Emperor Augustus and also the Sistine Chapel. Even if you are not much of an art connoisseur, I believe you will appreciate the history and mastery of the collection of pieces at the Vatican.
My time in Italy also included day trips to Florence, Pisa, and Venice. I planned an afternoon in Florence to see the famous Statue of David, strolled the streets, and did some shopping of course.
I did have some of the best pizza in my life at a pizzeria that was adjacent to the Duomo. From Florence, I caught a train to Pisa where I finally got to see the Leaning Tower! From the train, it is a nice brisk 20-minute walk to the Leaning Tower. You cross a very scenic bridge that leads almost directly to the street leading to the towers. Once you get to the tower, I suggest going in and making your way up the cyclone of steps leading to the top. The view from the top of the tower is hindered by fencing, so taking a clear picture of the surrounding landscape might leave you frustrated. Also, be aware no bags are allowed and you will have to go through a security scan to enter. No worries, adjacent to the tower is a locker room where you can check your bag and proceed on to the Tower entry. Overall a great day spent and worth the trip especially if you are trying to cram in as much as possible.
The next day I took a train to Venice...The Floating City. Venice is about a 3-hour train ride from Rome, so if you plan on making this a day trip as I did, you may want to catch the earliest train out. Water Taxis are the mode of transportation in Venice. They are pretty cheap, convenient, and a quick ride to wherever you need to go. With that being said, once you arrive in Venice, you must make your way to St. Mark's Square. It is a short walk and somewhat of a mini maze to make it there, but once you do, you will be in the epicenter of everything. There is Doge's Palace, St.Mark's Basilica, and plenty of shops and high-end, boutiques such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. You can find genuine Italian leather as well as authentic Murano glass. A trip to Venice is incomplete until you venture down the Grand Canal on a gondola! If you are feeling romantic, spring a few more dollars and get a gondola ride, and get serenaded as you ride.
Additional Note: If you have time, take a trip to neighboring Burano to see the colorful fisherman's homes and or head to Murano for a first-hand glass-making demonstration if that interests you. Also, other noteworthy sites are the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs.
Overall my trip to Italy was a memorable one and I can see myself visiting again. My coin toss at Trevi Fountain pretty much guarantees it!:) Additional note: According to legend, tossing one coin into the Trevi Fountain means you'll return to The Eternal City, tossing two coins means you'll return and fall in love, and tossing three coins means you'll return, find love, and marry. Luck or no luck, your money goes to a good cause.
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