Exploring Rome is a standard box on any traveler’s bucket list when visiting Europe. You have a mountainous list of famous sites to visit from guidebooks, movies and television. The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Vatican, The Trevi Fountain and the list goes on. Best advice I received on arrival was get your walking shoes on and explore. So I did.
First stop on my list was the grandiose Colosseum. Here I had an experience which altered my day to avoid the general traffic of people site to site and experience the beautiful squares and streets almost untouched by tourist. On my visit to the Colosseum and Roman Fora I stumbled across a wedding. Just a stone throw away from the hustle and bustle of the swarms of tourists visiting the famous Colosseum of Roma on a Sunday morning.
Crowds forming outside the Colloseum. Roma, Italy.
Tucked away in the middle of the Colosseum and Roman Fora grounds is the home to a small Cathedral with an entrance hidden from main view. As I climbed the steps to the entrance applause and cheers erupted from the inside and family and friends poured out in euphoric bliss for the happy couple. There were tears, laughter but sheer joy in the air as strangers embraced me happy to share this moment with the world. The blushing bride looked blissfully happy and surreal with her new position as wife. All seemed unaware and separate from the world just around the corner of tourist’s gosling for the best views eating gelato and snapping photographs.
Moments like this allow you to witness Roman life still existing in these ancient sites and remind you why you are travelling – to experience other cultures and life. A rare moment in the throngs of foreigners flocking to Rome every summer. Very few Italians were met along my walk throughout Roma to see the sights we all know from guide books and movies. Only those working to take advantage of the influx of people and money into the Roman economy – the roman soldiers, painters, illusionists, musicians, waiters and snack stands and many more.
A unique authentic experience in Rome is visiting the Gelateria La Romana located on a street corner and you would not even realise what you are missing as you walk past. But. Here you will not find any tourists, just locals and truly the most sensational Gelato you will experience in your lifetime. When you are ordering the staff have a twinkle in their eyes and willing to help you with your selection as they know it will be a life changing moment. I went with a chef from Australia who has never really liked ice cream, but this he said “This is not ice cream but real Gelati” and has been visiting the gelataria daily since arrival in Rome a week ago after discovering its secret. My Gelato came gift wrapped in a bag with roasted hazelnuts to perfection and perfect mini waffle cones topping off this unique culinary experience.
Gift wrapped Gelato. Best I’ve ever tasted. Roma, Italy.
Finally. Where one should dine in Roma. After constant searching and sampling not just the food a place was found quite unexpectedly. Hosteria La Vacca M’Briaca jumped out at me on an early evening stroll before I was to meet others to go to dinner. It was 5pm not quite time for a Roman dinner however I somehow found myself inside curious and almost felt that I had entered someone’s home. Then it was decided it was time to eat. I sat down at a quaint table in the corner on my own and was instantly welcomed by the owner and chef and taken care of as if I was a member of the family not just another patron. Observing other diners all were treated in the same manner. I had found it. A true Italian restaurant. However no pizza, but the meals are worth more than a million pizzas. After experiencing one of the best pesto’s of my life I was treated with a mouth-watering Tiramisu made by the owner and his aunt. With no one to match the service and quality of food I found myself dining here for the remainder of the trip and became one of the family and will definitely visit Rome again next summer just on the purpose to visit this restaurant. If you love your deserts their chocolate soufflé was definitely my favourite (even though I had overdosed on gelato by lunchtime daily).
Don’t miss out on the wonders of modern Rome as you will be astounded by the breaking and maintaining of many cliché’s attached to this evolving city. Put you’re walking shoes on and explore.