My first delicious meal in Italy was made by this woman they just call “Mama” Â - penne alla salmone, grilled prawns & insalata!
I really did NOT like Rome. There. I said it! I had no intention of even visiting Rome in the first place. My plan was to go straight to Florence, but NOOOO, everyone said: YOU MUST DO ROME and YOU CANNOT GO TO ITALY WITHOUT SEEING ROME and so I went there and guess what? I couldn’t stand it.
For the most part, my frustration with Rome was due to two factors:
- Rome is a big city and it feels like it. It felt so busy busy busy move move move like New York or DC to me. And that’s not really what I was looking for on this trip. Although I didn’t know it (what I was looking for, that is) until I got dropped down into the confusing
fire pitcity center that is Roma. - It’s apparently high tourist season in Italy, so Rome is crowded. Very, very crowded. On the buses, on the trains, on the streets. There are WAY too many people walking around trying to do the same thing I’m doing. And no one seems to know where they’re going!
The Trevi Fountain in Rome – so beautiful but so crowded once you get there!
Seeing How Real Romans Live
Real Romans eat Big Macs with parmesan cheese
Real Romans take the train…when it’s in service LOL. This train closure caused a lot of confused crowds!
Shopping at a Real Italian Supermarket and Cooking My Own Dinner
What I bought at the Supermercati: fresh shrimp pasta, pesto & more!
Photo Gallery: What an Italian Grocery Store Looks Like
The fruits of my labor – a cheap, tasty meal in Rome!
On the third day…I rose and got my butt up OUT of Rome. I was tired from walking 10 miles getting lost in the city and ready to explore what the rest of Italy had to offer.
I took the $23 euro bus from Rome to Florence. The woman at the ticket counter kept trying to tell me that this particular bus would drop me off ON THE HIGHWAY and I should probably wait for the next one to come in about 5 hours. But I wanted to be OUT of Rome that very day and in Florence before nightfall, so I ignored her warnings and hopped on the bus that was leaving right then.
The bus dropped me off on the side of the damn road.
I was ON THE HIGHWAY, just like the woman at the counter said I would be. Cars whizzed by as I shook my head, laughing at myself. Why did I have to be so hardheaded? The bus driver instructed me to walk up the road a few minutes and wait a little while. There would be a city bus coming by soon that would take me into the center of Florence. “Number 37,” he said in stilted English. It was hot as a furnace outside and I had on jeans like a dummy. Sweat dripped down my chest. 20 minutes felt like an hour as I waited. And waited. I nearly ran to the bus as soon as I saw those two blinking numbers: 37. Just 15 minutes later and I was in the heart of Florence. Finally!
Of course, the first thing I do when I get off the bus is stop at a gelateria. As I stand outside to eat my little cup of strawberry sorbetto, the world once again feels light and refreshing, my gelato a cool reminder of how glad I am to be out of Rome and in Florence, capital city of the Tuscan region. It already feels like the Italy I’d imagined in my dreams.
Read my previous Travel Diaries:
- Travel Diary: My First Day in Greece and City Circus Hostel
- Travel Diary: Exploring Monastiraki, Plaka and Acropolis in Athens
- Travel Diary: Shopping in Athens, Sunset in Santorini
- Travel Diary: 7 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Greece (Especially Santorini!)
- Travel Diary: How I Almost Got Arrested in the Santorini Airport
Loved this post! I loooved Italy, but did NOT like Rome. Fortunately, my first city upon entry into Italy was Venice – ahhh! I was spoiled. And Florence is fantastic, can’t wait to read your post about your time there.
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I totally and completely understand what you mean. Although I love new york, I found it so overwhelming. I remember at one point in time square, i was just dying to leave. it just seemed like there was noise all the time everywhere and i hated it. i just wanted to leave. also when in was in germany, i travelled to Cologne (Koln in DE) and could not wait to leave. I originally slated 3 days there but left after 1 day. i HATED the hustle and bustle. i was on vacation and ffelt rushed and annoyed the entire time there. so, i got out. just like you got out of Rome. good choice. when it is not right, it is not right.
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I haven’t had a great desire to go to Italy, but this just inspired me to put it on my “too travel to” list.
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So sorry to hear that you didn’t like Rome! I’ve lived there for almost 10 years and loved it, altough I understand what you mean, I hated sightseeing during tourist season and it’s really hot in August. Nex time you shoud try to hang out more with the locals and you’ll see a wonderful side of the city. I’m a black woman and rarely felt racism from the locals.
Florence is also a great city, also a lot of tourists but ot as much as in Rome.
Wow, that’s so cool that you live in Rome. I think if I visited in the fall, I probably would have a better experience. I’m loving Florence though!
Hi, Rosetta. I must say that you had me a little flipped out about Rome so I booked an open ticket, from DC to Rome and then from Barcelona back to DC. I will only stay a day or two (at the most) in Rome. At some point, I will take the train to Barcelona (perhaps via Milan). I wish I could connect with Lily who lived in Rome for 10 years to find some local things to do. I’m not big on see all the history… a day of that will be plenty. But there are local treasure in every town. Can you forward my MSG to her, please?
I’m living vicariously through you right now! Loving how you made your own pasta! Amazing that Big Macs are palatable to a whole ‘nother culture of people! LOL!
Florence will hopefully be a better experience and less rushed. I hate feeling that way myself.
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I would also love a review and list of the hotels you stayed in, please and Thank you!
Rome was very busy and crowded when I visited because the Pope was was doing a special mass at the Vatican. Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basillica seemed extremely commercial, which made it less enjoyable. Even so, the Colosseum, architecture, and city scenes were breathtaking when I managed to tune the crowds out!
I’d have to say that Napoli (Naples) was my absolute favorite city in Italy. I’m loving your Travel Diary!
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I know I would appreciate a review of the hostels you stayed in
I usually stay in hotels while abroad as I’m concerned about safety, security, and convenience in hostels.
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What an adventure! I will now know to avoid Rome during this time – we have a trip to Italy planned in 3 years so I’ll definitely keep this in mind. I’m also fascinated by grocery shopping in other countries. During my trip to Nigeria earlier this year I was intrigued by the Bible verses and Godly phrases on the food packaging!
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“Rome is a big city and it feels like it. It felt so busy busy busy move move move like New York or DC to me. And that’s not really what I was looking for on this trip.”
I felt the same way when I went to Paris a few years back. Who wants to go on vacation to a place that reminds you of where you’re trying to temporarily escape? *lol* Great pics. Enjoying your adventures from afar . . . .
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I’ve been to Rome and didn’t enjoy it either (I’m not a huge fan of Italy in general). It wasn’t any specific reason; I’ve just never felt called to go there, so to spend a few days there was annoying. The big plus though was that I stayed in a hostel and loved everyone I met there. I don’t keep in touch with any of them, which is okay, and that’s been my best experience (in Italy) thus far.
Hopefully Florence will be much better for you!!!