When thou art at Rome, do as they do at Rome. — Departures by Ashleigh Swan

Ciao readers, today we are going to be stamping our passports and traveling to the Italian city of Rome! My first escapade to the eternal city was during the Summer of 2012 and ever since that voyage I have been in awe with the Italian culture and all that is has to offer (especially the extremely good looking boys). So, for today’s post we will be exploring the top five essentials that need to be done when you make your first trip to Rome!

1 Piazza di Spagna and Via Cola di Rienzo: The shopping of Rome

Pizza di Spanga is the most famous shopping district in Rome and leads up to the famous Spanish steps. Now, im not saying you have to buy something but you should take a stroll down this street and check out all of the Italian desingers like, Prada, Gucci, Etro, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta, Missoni, Versace and also other large global brands. Via Cola di Rienzo is where you will find most of the Romans shopping. Located near the vaitican here you can find shops selling fashions, bags, shoes, and many more for reasonable prices! If you are looking for gift shops around the city you don’t have to worry as you can probably assume that they are everywhere! My advice to you when your shopping in Rome is to just expand your taste! Go into any shops that somewhat appeal to you! You never know what you might find!

2. Trastevere Neighborhood

I just recently discovered the Trastevere Neighborhood through John Cabot University. When I went to Rome in April I had a cool opportunity to stay in an apartment in Trastevere and it was so cool! I like this area of Rome because its quitter than the main areas and yet it still holds a cute little atmosphere! My favorite spot in Trastevere is Piazza Trilussa. It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some gelato and sometimes you might be able to listen to some live music by local Roman Musicians.

3. Pizza Della Rotonda

Pizza Della Rotonda is one of my favorite dining spots in Rome and of course has a perfect view of The Pantheon. The Pantheon, was formally known to be a Roman Temple but is now a church. You can visit the Pantheon free of charge and intake the magnificence of the designs inside and the incredible structure that holds it up. When you walk out of the Pantheon you are in a little square called Piazza della Rotonda, in the middle there is a beautiful fountain that you can sit around if you need to take a rest before continuing your sightseeing journey or it can be a romantic spot to share with a loved one while you devour some gelato after finishing up your spaghetti carbonara. There are multiple resutraunts around the Pantheon and all of them offer the beautiful tastes of Italy and a great view of a Roman landmark. You could even venture to one of these restaurants for a late night sweet treat and drink before heading to bed. The perfect time to go in my opinion is late at night when the stars are out and all you can hear is the sound of plates clinching together and splashes of the water hitting the foundation of the fountain. Either way your going to have a cool dinnder experinace.

4. il colosseo (The Colosseum)

Next on the trip would be the Colosseum (insert the Gladiator soundtrack). The Colosseum is another beautiful landmark in Rome and as soon as you see it in person you will be in love with its architecture and how cool your pictures will turn out (lol)! I have been inside the Colosseum twice and both times were amazing, it’s crazy to think about the historical context that lives there and how it is still standing till this day! You can go on group tours or wander on your own, either way watch out for the steps….there are a little steep for my liking! Inside you will also find a gift store where you can find super cool historical books on the Colosseum and other unrelated stuff like cook books and towels. I haven’t had the chance to visit the Colosseum at night but I know that you can do a night tour which is something would like to do in the future. So day or night the Colosseum is a landmark that you must see but remember and watch out for those steps!

5. Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain)

Without a doubt the Trevi Fountain is my favorite tourist desirability to visit when I travel to Rome. For me, the Trevi Foutain holds a unique connotation compared to the rest of Rome’s famous landmarks. On top of its perfected architecture and the lavish blue water to accompany, I believe that the Trevi Foutain holds a secret message of hope to each one of its visitors. Yes, when people travel to the fountain they want to document the flawless structure but they also want to throw a coin in the fountain in hopes that one of their wishes will come true. I think that is why I find the trevi so fascinating, I love the idea that millions of people from all over the world with different backgrounds come together to throw a coin in hopes that their aspirations will come true. For me, that is an illustration of magic and an expanse of prospect. My favorite mystic moment at the Trevi Fountain was during the summer of 2016, it was almost midnight and I was standing with my high school peers waiting for our teachers to guide us back to our hotel. There was lots of people at the fountain so the noise level was loud but then it got extremely quiet. I turned to my left and noticed a young lad stepping down on one knee proposing to his girlfriend, obviously the girl said yes, and in that moment the entire area of the trevi fountain filled with cheers and delight. That was when I knew that Rome and more specifically the trevi fountain was the most enchanted place in world. I was in admiration with the idea that it was midnight and the feelings of excitement and love were still as radiant as they were when it was the daylight! So when you make your trip to the Trevi, I highly recommend that you do it during the nighttime, I promise it’s the most charmed time to visit.

The Three Coin Saying:

1. If you throw one coin in the fountain, you are destined to travel back to Rome

2. If you throw two coins in you will fall in love with an Italian (YES PLEASE!)

3. If you throw three coins in you will marry an Italian (YES PLEASE!)

Well that’s all from me today, if you liked what you saw on today’s post please make sure to come back and check out other columns and hopefully you’ll be planning a trip to Rome in the near future, I know I am!

grazie mille,

arrivederci,

Ash