Rome Travel Diary
While in Italy, we took a bullet train to Rome where we spent our final three days exploring, as well as visiting the Colosseum and Vatican City. Despite both of these places being on our bucket list, they would be hard pressed to live up to our experiences in Venice and Florence. Nonetheless, Rome holds its own grandeur that is a must-see for any world traveler.
WHERE WE STAYED
The Westin Excelsior Rome | While we typically eschew corporate chain hotels, the Excelsior Rome was an exception for its quintessential metropolitan Italian aesthetic. Its opulent decor and luxurious furnishings create an ambiance of timeless sophistication, featuring classic European elegance, with sumptuous fabrics, antique furnishings, and rich color palettes.
Our room was wallpapered in a stately deep red with a crystal chandelier as a focal point. We had a view of Roman architected buildings just outside our window and a plush king bed to sink into at the end of a day’s long excursions.
PLACES TO SEE
The Colosseum | While it is difficult to document without throngs of visitors passing through in glaring white sneakers and neon activewear (my apologies, fellow Americans) it’s a bucket list item for a reason, and we were able to steal a few looming shots that hid the construction that overtook most of the structure.
The Colosseum, an iconic symbol of ancient Rome, showcases the ingenuity and grandiosity of the Roman Empire. Despite centuries of natural disasters, stone scavenging, and neglect, the Colosseum endures as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a powerful reminder of the imperial stronghold in Rome’s history. Stepping into the amphitheater, you can almost feel the spirit of the gladiator battles and the energy that once surged through the arena.
Vatican City | A city within a city, Vatican City is home to the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica and the iconic Sistine Chapel. This tiny independent state is a treasure trove of art, history, and spirituality. A pilgrimage for art enthusiasts and the faithful alike, it is a captivating microcosm unlike any place I have ever visited.
Even on first approach, St. Peter’s Square has a way of leaving an indelible mark, and inside, Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel captivates with its celestial beauty. Stepping into the hallowed space, one cannot help but immediately look upward to Michelangelo’s unparalleled labor adorning the ceiling.
The frescoes, including the iconic “Creation of Adam,” showcase a divine dance between color and form, telling biblical tales with breathtaking detail. The chapel’s architecture and its role as the papal conclave venue add a layer of historical significance. The Sistine Chapel is, quite literally, a canvas where the artistic genius of Michelangelo converges with the spiritual essence of the Vatican.
While we met the same long queues at the Vatican as we did with the Colosseum, in the end it was well worth the visit. If you are not a fair weather traveler only, I would highly advise visiting such iconic landmarks during a shoulder season, when there are less crowds.
That said, though, we decided that when we return to Italy, Rome will be a jumping off point for a visit to The Amalfi Coast. I still long to see the outcroppings of that rugged coastal hillside, bespectacled in multicolor and wound with stepped pathways. I imagine it to be much like a Mediterranean Hallstatt (which I wrote about here). But that’s for another trip.
