La Dolce Vita
A Solo Journey Through Italy: Day 1 in Rome
ChatGPT did not write this, though it did assist with one sentence. To be clear.
My solo trip to Italy ignited a passionate love affair that I honestly don’t know if I will ever fully recover from. Italia! Roma! The beauty, the culture, the flavors—all of it has captured my heart in a way that feels both timeless and unforgettable.
It all started after a 12-hour non-stop flight from San Francisco. Coach, to be clear. Fortunately, the flight was not full, and I was able to spread out over the two seats next to the window. When I landed at Fiumicino Airport it was 12PM and no less than 95 degrees. I found an ATM inside of the airport, received some Euros to start my journey and set out to take the train from Fiumicino Airport to the Termini train station. My Airbnb was 0.8 miles from the train station, and so I decided to take the adventurous way versus an Uber. Heat and humidity as my companions, I walked from the train station to the Airbnb, hauling my carry-on suitcase and backpack over the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Rome was exciting from the start; even the humid air surged with an enigmatic energy. My body was tired, but my mind intrigued. I showered and quickly hit the streets for some exploring and Food! GPS provided my walking route, first to Trevi Fountain and then to the Colosseum. I set out, with a fully charged phone and a crossbody purse filled with Euros.
It was no surprise that my first day in Rome, I walked close to 20,000 steps. There was an incredible amount to take in and I wanted to see as much as possible before my train ride to Venice the next day. After my first circulation on foot, I headed back to my flat, which was nestled on a quaint cobblestone street with cafes, shops, and pizzerias within steps of the front door. I took a rest and determined that I would head back out after the sun went down. By 9PM, I was back on foot exploring Rome’s intricate alleys and corners and major sites along the way. I stopped for an Aperol Spritz and sat at a small cafe table to enjoy the vibe and the lowered temperatures of the evening. The air was still buzzing with dinner go-ers, tourists, and locals - to my benefit, I had not missed the dinner rush that late in the evening.
The next morning, I woke up early and packed my bags in preparation for the 4-hour train ride I was taking later that afternoon to Venice. My daughter, Paloma, lives in Northern Italy and I would be meeting her in Venice. As much as I wanted to stay in Rome for another month, I was more excited to see my daughter, my son-in-law and my two granddaughters.
I took a second visit to the Colosseum to catch the morning sun, and it was only 1.4 miles from the Airbnb. How I wished I was taking a history tour of the inside of the Colosseum. Next time, I thought to myself, next time Kiera. On the way back, I stopped at a cozy cafe with an outdoor covered seating area that was porched off from the street. It wasn’t often that I enjoyed slow mornings sitting at a cafe in Rome. I sat back in the wicker chair facing the window and the mildly busy street view, took a few deeps breathes, reminding myself that this was the whole point. The lovely Italian woman took my order and one-by-one she brought out the surge of energy I needed that hot July morning - a glass of chilled lemon water, a cup of fresh Pineapple juice, and a plate filled with a prosciutto, mozzarella and tomato omelet with a side salad of vegetables. She would also follow up my meal with an expresso and it was at that moment that I knew I loved it there. It was delicious as I deliberately, cut each bite and savored it. This solo travel was beginning to feel like a continuous date with myself - a love note to myself - and I was here for it.