Rome: A Roman Travelogue

The cities of Europe are altogether known for their numerous natural and man-made edifices that attract tourists fro all over the world.

They each have their own unique showcases like the lights of Paris and the night life of Madrid. Yet, if there is one city in all of Europe that can be considered as the melting pot of everything that high art and culture can show, it'll certainly have to be Rome. That was my main drive for taking the first opportunity that I had to get to Rome. I wanted to see the majestic city myself.

Coming from the Da Vinci airport, I took the metro to get to the outskirts of Rome where I took one of the uniformed taxis in order to get to my hotel near the gigantic and ornate national monument of Victor Emmanuel II. Having taken a sandwich at the plane, I went straight to my customary 30 minute sleep to fight off the different Italian timezone.

I woke up, showered and met up with my Italian contact who was to tour me around the city for the next 2 days. Declining a meal, since I was all too excited to see Rome at night, I was ushered by my guide to the Piazza Venezia. The entire plaza was massive as it held the very big monument of Victor Emmanuel II. We strolled around for a few moments as I feasted my eyes on the monument and on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

My guide then told me that its best to see the Roman fountains at night so, off we went to the nearest fountain which was the Fontana de Tevi. We went along the Via del Croso. Arriving there, i honored the long revered tradition of tourists of tossing coin back facing the fountain. Like everyone else, I also wished that that first visit won't be the last.

The rest of the night, we went to and fro Rome juming from Piazza Barbinni, della Republica and di Spagna to see the Fountain of Four  Rivers and the fountain of the Triton by the master Bernini. I also saw the Fountain of the Naiads and of the Baracaccia. Before retiring into the night, I grew hungry so my guide and I helped ourselves with platefuls of pasta il diabolo.

The next day, I dedicated all of my trips to all of the major basilica's of Rome. We visited the nearest church which was the Seat of the Roman Pontiff, the Basilica San Pietro. After a short stroll, we headed to the Castel Gandolfo then to the Basilicas of Santa Maria Maggiore and the San Giovannni Letrano. Our final destination for the afternoon was the Basilica San Pedro Forimori outside of Rome.

The next and final day, my companion guided me to the two major museums of Rome; the National Roman Museum and the Museum of Rome. I also snatched a good sight of the Colosseum and the Ruins of the Ancient Baths of Caracalla.

It was a short and fast trip yet, going to Rome was enough reason for me to hope that one day, opportunity will grant me a chance to go back to that city again.