We drove from Tuscany to Rome and arrived on Wednesday night at the seaside suburb of Ladispoli, where friends of Rossella and Matteo graciously hosted us. I spent a delightful Thursday by the sea, enjoying a cold Heineken and soaking up the sun while the little one frolicked in the water. That evening, my sisters and their friend Benny arrived, so I bid farewell to Rossella’s family and joined them at our hostel. My two youngest sisters have been studying abroad in Germany for the year, learning German. Since we are all in Europe simultaneously, we should meet and travel together. So, that’s exactly what we did! They spent time with me in Greece, and now we were doing Italy!

Located about 20 minutes outside Rome, the hostel was a fantastic find, featuring a restaurant, club, shopping center, free WiFi, and a shuttle bus to the city center—all within walking distance of the train station and very affordable.

Reuniting with my sisters and meeting their German schoolmate, Benny, was wonderful. We turned in early to be up and ready for a full day of exploring Rome on Friday. Bright and early, we took the shuttle to the city center, grabbed breakfast, and spent the day on foot, with Benny proving to be an excellent tour guide. We hit most of the major historical sites, although the extensive walking left us with sore feet!

Despite the soreness and the heat, wandering through Rome was incredible. The history, the stunning fountains—it was all breathtaking. The highlights for me were the Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum, and the Pantheon. Just amazing!

On Saturday, still nursing tender feet, we decided on a lighter day of walking. We headed to Vatican City, where we admired the art and the Sistine Chapel. After a snack and some more strolling, we indulged in a scrumptious dinner featuring gorgonzola pizza.

A quick note on Italian food—it’s a revelation! The versions of Italian food in the US are pale compared to the authentic dishes here. The pizza is delicious, the pasta is perfectly al dente, and the dishes, with their fresh vegetables and cheeses, are simply divine. I absolutely adore the food here!

Sadly, two days in Rome flew by too quickly, but we managed to see most of the major sights. Early Sunday morning, we caught a flight to Venice. Though brief, our time in Rome was unforgettable—what an amazing city!