Things to Do in Rome

The year was 2010 when I got my first visa from the Italian Consulate, a 30-day one. Despite adding prestigious visas like Schengen ones for 3-6 months, the UK, and the US over the years, last summer, they only gave me a 15-day visa, which broke my heart a little. So, I took it out on Rome, not that it was Rome’s fault of course. During the trip at the beginning of August, I stayed only one night and then moved on to Spain the next day.

When I arrived at Roma Termini, memories of our Interrail days flashed before my eyes. Rome was our first international destination back in 2010. With big backpacks that we weren’t yet used to carrying, we were excited to start our 27-day adventure. After getting off at Termini, we went from hostel to hostel around the area, but when we couldn’t find a place to our liking, our excitement turned into disappointment and fatigue. Luckily, we managed to find a hostel that suited us soon after. Ah, youth…

In Rome, I stayed at 007 Select Rooms on a friend’s recommendation. My dear friend Semiha said it was close to Termini, but as I drag my suitcase over the cobblestones, it didn’t feel close at all. I spent half an hour praying for the wheels of my suitcase. Thankfully, my room was ready, so I quickly changed and headed out.

First stop: Pompi Tiramisu, the flavor I miss the most in Rome. The Spanish Steps were crowded again, and I took a look at Rome from above. I didn’t have time to linger; I needed to get to Pompi as soon as possible. As I wondered why no one is at Pompi, I noticed that they’ve significantly reduced the portion sizes. Then it seems like the varieties have also changed. I got the classic one, and I ate it standing right across from it, but neither was I the same, nor was Pompi’s taste. I feared that the whole of Rome might have changed.

The last time I came to Rome with my mom, we loved Pompi’s tiramisu. It was the first place my mom wanted to see in Italy, having missed out on an architectural trip during her university years. “Don’t worry, Mom, it’s not as delicious as it used to be, you’re not missing out on anything,” I thought to myself. Without realizing it, I was wearing her clothes; everything on me was hers. In fact, we bought the blouse I was wearing from an outlet in Italy. Was this trip starting off a bit too sad? As I revisited places we had gone before, sadness and a heavy heart start to weigh me down.

I wasn’t thinking I’ll write about this trip for the blog; I was traveling just for myself, not thinking about anyone else. I wasn’t not even taking photos, it just didn’t feel right. But as I started writing, it felt good; sometimes I write just for myself, even if it’s not for anyone else. Of course, I think about my readers too, but some writings just flow like this…

From Pompi, I continued to the Trevi Fountain, the usual stop on every visit. This time I could skip it, but maybe it’s the desire to see if anything has changed, or perhaps it was to reminisce about memories. For the first time, I didn’t throw a coin, as I didn’t have any worthless change on me. Besides, if we are meant to come back when we throw a coin, don’t we not come back when we don’t? My mom threw a coin last time we visited too. We missed Italy and were planning to return, but life is what happens while we’re making plans.

After that, I continued to the Pantheon. On one of the streets leading to it, there was a place with countless varieties of ice cream, where we had some; it was quite famous. I walked through every street, but I couldn’t seem to find it. It felt as if something would be missing from the trip if I didn’t find that ice cream shop, as if I’d be disappointing my mom if I don’t go. Mom, the ice cream place is lost.

After giving up on the ice cream place, I saw an outdoor spot available at a café overlooking the Pantheon and decided to sit down. I wandered around so much that I needed to catch my breath. I ordered a coffee and a small pistacchio cannoli. Pistachio desserts are dear to my heart. I enjoyed my coffee while watching the passersby. It’s one of those moments that feeds the feeling of being abroad.

Close to the Pantheon is my favorite place in Rome, Sant’Ignazio di Loyola. When we randomly entered it during our first Interrail trip, knowing nothing about the church’s magnificence, the solemnity of the church choir and the impact of the ceiling visuals deeply moved us. During our trip with my mom, as I set off to bring her here during the tour’s free time, our guide also recommended the church and gave some information about it, and a couple followed us there. Now I was the tour guide.

This time, there was no choir in the church. It was still magnificent though. But I was in a different kind of awe. At that moment, I felt so close to my mom that I lighted a candle and made a donation, burning my hand, but mostly burning my heart. I made a wish for her. After taking a breath, I talked to her in my mind, trying to hide the few tears that fall from my eyes. If I stayed any longer, I’d start crying uncontrollably; it was time to go.

I left the church and went on to Piazza Navona. Hoping that this lively square would give me some energy but instead it felt so cold for the first time, losing all its charm in my eyes. Why are you doing this, Rome? What happened to you since we last met? Or is it what happened to me changed my perspective?

My next destination is Trastevere, a neighborhood that I can say I haven’t really explored before. I know you’re surprised, and I was too when I realized we missed it in the previous visits. On the way, I passed through Via dei Cappellari, one of the local recommendations from Spottedbylocals. It might be sketchy in the evening, but it’s one of those streets that really makes you feel like you’re in Rome…

While heading to Trastevere, I asked a family on the bridge to take a photo of me. They were such a sweet family; they took about 10 photos, bless them. The streets, bars, and restaurants of Trastevere were truly charming. The church, however, was ordinary. So, this area is more for enjoying the streets; if you’re looking to see historical buildings, I’d recommend staying on the other side of the bridge. Unfortunately, I’m not hungry enough to sit down at a restaurant. I settle for a slice of pizza at Pizzeria La Boccaccia, a local recommendation in Trastevere, and I even told them that a local wrote about it on the app, which made them happy.

From here, I walked along the river to Castel Sant’Angelo. Again, I just admired it from the outside. There was someone playing music in front of it. Right next to it were many souvenir stalls. I did some shopping at the stalls, buying items like a fan and magnets. The cafes by the riverside on the other side of Ponte Sant’Angelo looked very inviting, but I was hesitant because not many people were sitting there. Later, I realized that they had good ratings, so you might want to give them a chance.

On the way back, I almost reached 30,000 steps and caught a happy hour at a place called Volpe Pasini “Alla Maddalena” Pollo Arena near Piazza Navona. Aperol Spritz was 5 Euros; it comes with complimentary bread, olives, and chips. The square it overlooks wasn’t very large, but it’s crowded and lively, so it’s fun to watch the passersby.

The next morning, when the Wi-Fi at the hotel didn’t work, I headed out early for breakfast. I had a local recommendation close to the hotel, II Baretto Bar Caffe, but when I got there, I found it too small. Moreover, I was intrigued by Kitchen Bar (also listed as Rio Bar on the map) that I saw on the way, it seemed like everyone preferred it before work. Since there were workplaces around, the crowd was mostly made up of white-collars. The mozzarella sandwich I ate there was the best mozzarella sandwich I’ve ever had. Don’t say, “How good can a sandwich be?” I would have said that too if I were you, but don’t say it, it’s recommended if you’re nearby 🙂

Afterward, I had coffee at B67 Bistrot, near the hotel. Although it was enjoyable to sit at the cute tables outside, it was time to say goodbye to Rome, so I left. The hotel was nice, but since it was uphill, you quickly descend but didn’t feel like climbing back up.

When I arrived at Termini a bit early, I stopped by the shops inside, but it was too crowded to enjoy. I got ice cream from Venchi, which is everywhere, though it was tasty, it was not something to be overly excited about.

Since I still had time, I made one last stop at Sicily fooddrink Rome for a small pistachio dessert (I don’t know its name; all the small desserts are listed as “mignon” on the receipt, sorry) and a coffee. That little dessert was so delicious that I got another one after finishing it. By the time I got to Spain, I had almost forgotten about my emotional roller coaster in Rome, but I think that this trip was necessary for closure. The good and the bad came together, and Rome became a city with a bittersweet flavor for me. Goodbye, my beautiful Rome.