When I was in college, my dream was to study abroad for a semester in Florence. My mother is a classically trained artist who I’ve always called the “female Michelangelo.” It seemed fitting to be in the place in Italy where art is such a prominent element. I even began the entry process for the program and planned my life around that semester. Yet things, as they often do, got in the way and I didn’t end up in Italy as an impressionable girl in her early twenties.
Instead, I ended up a decade later at 31 in an apartment in Trastevere not knowing what to expect and completely free of pre-conceived notions, eager for adventure. Still, slightly disappointed my first experience in Italy wasn’t going to take place in Florence.
So I think Rome heard the little sigh that escaped my psyche and planned accordingly, a grand seduction that I never saw coming.
I don’t know if it was the gelato…
the picture-waiting-to-be-taken in every single alleyway…
the romantic way the city sparkled at night…
the desserts…
the Italian man who was happy to have me as passenger on the back of his Vespa…
the WINE…
the frescoes…
the ADORABLE tiny cars…
the graffiti (that I highly anticipate discovering in every city I visit)…
or, the good friends I made during the adventure who I’m looking forward to seeing again.
Whatever it was, I never saw it coming. I forgot about Florence and was all too happy to find myself in love elsewhere! I hope you get the chance to visit Rome soon because I think you’d find it a rather pleasant seduction.
My sojourn in Rome was made possible by HouseTrip who provided our apartments in Rome and the experience of living like a local. However, opinions in this article are my own. **Thanks to Deb of ThePlanetD for the image of me on a Vespa! And why don’t I have a photo with you two from the trip??**
Aww, I love this post. So sweet! I’m glad you enjoyed Rome. It truly is one of the best cities in the world, and not just for photographic reasons. Although a big part of my love is biased by the large amount of gelato I indulged.
Thanks Marie-Eve! I’m so glad you liked the post and yes, I did enjoy Rome. I might agree that it is one of the best cities in the world. It certainly surprised me in how much I loved it.
I’m gonna say it was the gelato. Or maybe the wine.
Great to follow you running around the world!
The wine and gelato were definitely heavy influencers in my love affair. I won’t pretend otherwise.
Glad you are enjoying!! 🙂
Love the photos, make sure you get some burrata while you are there.
Awh, NOW you tell me. I’ve already left Rome. What’s burrata?
Florence was my first introduction to Rome seven years ago and it was a good one. BUT, I still think of all the places I saw in Italy, Rome was the one that solidified in me the need to return. I ate a lot of gelato while in Italy, but my favorite was definitely in Rome near the Piazza Navona (I think).
I’m glad that in some way Rome was the city which impacted you more. It convinces me I’ve lost nothing 😉 And hopefully, I will still get to Florence one day. But I am definitely not sad I have been to Rome. It was incredible!
Mmm…yes to all of the above! Italy seems to be quite good at these grand seductions. What is it about the way it can so quickly disarm the cynic? I love that you scored a ride on the back of the Vespa : ) How perfect is that?
I loved Rome as well when I was there in 2007, but was only there for 2 days! Not enough time! Must go back soon, these photos just confirmed that 🙂
We spent just two days in Rome waaaaay back when we backpacked through Europe after college. We arrived mainly with intentions just to see the Colosseum and Vatican, and left thoroughly entranced with the city. I can’t wait to go back someday. 🙂
Absolutely DROOLING over the art and food in this post.
Oh how I miss Roma, and the Gelato!
I’m missing both myself!
Semsasional my dream and conher the italia roma to take a beautiful wine ….