November 30, 2010

Bella Roma

I'm back from my incredible journey to Italy. This was my first solo jaunt overseas so I was afraid to book an entire week thinking I might feel lonely or uncomfortable. Now that it's over I so desperately wish I had booked a week. It was by far one of the best travel experiences I've ever had and it was so rewarding in so many ways. I learned that traveling alone is anything but lonely and it allows you to expand your comfort zone tremendously. Rome may be the perfect city for solo travel as well, so I chose wisely. There is so much to share, far too much to ever capture here, and none of it involves any physical activity beyond walking miles and miles around the city in totally inappropriate footwear. Most of it involves eating decadent foods and drinking beautiful wine and cocktails. The perfect vacation.

Since I'm suffering from jet lag and am not coherent enough for a full post, I thought I'd share 10 observations and discoveries from my journey:
  1. Since the coffees are small, don't be afraid to go to two espresso bars each morning to hide the fact that you require multiple coffees to get the day started right. Just remember: no cappuccino past noon, lattes are a made-up American thing and always drink your coffee standing at the bar.
  2. When they ask you if you want cream on your gelato don't think, just say yes. Oh my god...
  3. Panini is plural, a single sandwich is a panino. Don't order like a tourist.
  4. You don't need to share a language to communicate and connect with someone. You can have a really memorable experience without a lot of words.
  5. A two-hour lunch is a great idea. A three-hour dinner is an even better idea.
  6. Visiting Italy during truffle season is magical. And I'm not talking about chocolates...
  7. Looking chic and making a good impression is key in Rome (see above comment about inappropriate footwear).
  8. Aperitivo is like happy hour on steroids and a really beautiful thing.
  9. If you have a good attitude and sense of adventure you can go anywhere and do anything and the people will be kind to you.
  10. In Rome, la vita e bella. You could do nothing except stroll around and soak it in and it would be a trip of a lifetime.
I had been to Rome once before but felt like I was seeing it for the first time. Since I didn't spend the full week I'm already plotting my return and very much looking forward to it.

5 comments:

  1. Jealous!

    I travel a ton for work - most solo. A few years ago, I went to India on a solo trip. Perhaps it wasn't as cool a trip as yours, but it was enlightning as well!

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  2. You are very brave! I would love to travel alone but am a frady-cat... Will have to keep these tips handy if I eer go to Rome/Italy! I'd definitely be an obvious tourist...

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  3. Very cool. Thanks for sharing the tip on the panini. Learn something new every day!

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  4. Welcome back! Glad you had an AWESOME trip!

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  5. Glad to hear that you had a safe and fun trip!

    I've been ordering my panino wrong! :)

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