When in Rome

Save up your money this New Year for an unforgettable trip to Rome! Trust me, you won’t regret it. This past December, I was traipsing through the Eternal City with my family. Starting in Vatican City, we waited about an hour in line that circled St. Peter’s square to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. It was definitely worth the wait and my pictures don’t do it any justice. Later, I strolled through the National Museum of Modern Art, immersed in art by contemporary Italian artists and foreign artists. We closed our night at Trevi Fountain. I pulled a “Lizzie McGuire,” throwing a coin to make a wish.

On our second day, we headed to Ancient Rome. We walked as the gladiators did through the Coliseum before going to the nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.  We also managed to see the Pantheon and all before lunch! Afterwards, we relaxed in the hotel for a bit before making our way back into the city for dinner and desert. In true Italian fashion, we indulged in delicious pizza followed by sweet gelato. I also got myself a cannoli because, after all, when in Rome!

On my last full day, I returned to Vatican City. I spent two hours in the Vatican Museums where the main attraction was the Sistine Chapel. The frescoes, especially those by Michelangelo, were overwhelmingly breathtaking. If you’re short on time, visiting the sites of Ancient Rome and Catholic Rome are doable in a day, but it would definitely be less tiring spaced out over two days. Since my mother and brother had different flights and already left that morning, my dad and me had ourselves a lovely dinner date, just the two of us, where I enjoyed a modern twist to the classic carbonara pasta. All in all, I had the best time and cannot wait to return to Rome!