I felt compelled to write the following upon learning that this week’s #JAchat topic is Rome. (#JAchat is a weekly Twitter travel chat that I co-host. Read here to learn more.)
I’ve heard other travelers compare picking a favorite place in the world, out of all the towns, cities, and countries they’ve visited, to choosing which of their children is their favorite. It may seem like a daunting task to some but I have no problem declaring that my favorite place in the whole entire giant world is…. ROME.
Actually, I do have a problem. There is a reason that I haven’t written much about my favorite place in the world. I know in my heart that Rome is my travel soulmate but I have difficulty explaining why that is. I’ve tried and I just cannot put it into words. Perhaps it’s because Rome was once the center of one of history’s greatest empires. Maybe my answers lie in the 2,000-year-old ruins, which I stare at and imagine what the original, intact structures looked like and the stories that unfolded behind those walls. I’m pretty sure my Italian heritage has something to do with it. Could it be a spiritual or religious thing with Vatican City in such close proximity?
My answer to all of the above is “yes”, but the connection I have to the city goes way deeper. On my first night in Rome on my first visit, I was in a taxi on a somewhat empty street. As the driver whipped around a curve, I caught my first glimpse of the Colosseum, lit up in the night. Something stirred inside me and tears began streaming down my face. I last visited Rome in 2011 and when I took off from Fiumicino to head home, I think I experienced true heartache for the first time in my life. It was like I was leaving behind the love of my life, not sure if or when I would see him again.
I may not have exact answers to why I love Rome so much but I do know that I dream of the day that I can return and hope with every fiber of my being that, some day, I’ll have the chance to live there. Until then, I have my photographs from travels past to help keep Rome ever-present in my heart.
I know this is your favorite city, and now it’s great to have a better idea as to why. As you know, I fell for Rome as a teenager (my first city-love, as I call it), I’ve been there three times, and it’s still a special place for me. I hope to go back, even if these days there is that other place that I obsess over… It looks like you feel about Rome the way I feel about Paris… I really enjoyed the post, especially the cab ride part.
Thanks, amiga! We should visit Rome and Paris together and go totally ga-ga!
I have a theory that the first European city you visit is the one you truly love the most, because it gets all that overwhelming awe and wonder (and joy) for the age, history and differences to what we know….Again, all this is Paris for me….
Gorgeous photos. I’ve only been to Rome once, and that was 9 years ago (ah!!!), but I absolutely fell in love. I think it may be time for a reunion.
You have some amazing pictures. I loved Rome and your pictures make me want to go back. I too also love the history that the city offers.
It really is great that you can feel so much passion and conviction for a place, and I know many others love Rome too. We visited last year for 6 days and although I’m glad we went, I did feel a little disappointed with my visit, probably because it’s one of those places that has so much hype to live up to, and usually in real life such places always fall short of imagination. I think it was just too crowded. I did love the gelato though!
Heather, that’s exactly what happened with me and Florence. I was SO disappointed. I even gave it a second chance but that turned out to be worse than the first time. As you said about Rome, I think a lot of it had to do with how overcrowded it was.
Lydia above may have a point that the first European city you visit becomes the standard by which you measure everything else. I love Paris because it was the first city I went to as an adult on my own. I’d been to Rome before Paris but with my family as a teenager – unfortunately all I remember is fighting with my brother 🙂 Having been back to Rome as an adult, I’ve really enjoyed it especially because we had friends who lived in the city who took us around. Paris though is still my first love.
Lydia and Shobha, I can totally see where you’re coming from with the theory of falling in love with the first European city you visit. Rome was not my first European city, though, nor was it my first Italian city. I’d been to Florence, which I hated, and Venice, which I fell in love with. And then I got to Rome and I forgot about everything/one else. It was on my second visit to Rome, though, when I realized that the city is my travel soulmate. I guess we were just meant to be!
Aw, how fantastic. Who wouldn’t love it?! There’s an energy and a spirit that simply must be felt to be understood.
I remember the first time I got to London, I fell in love with her. Then we went to Paris and changed sweethearts. Finally, I reached Rome and went nuts. The last one I traveled to was Monaco and soon we will be in Kauai. It is harder for me. At least you were able to write this letter!
Wow, gorgeous photos. I love Rome, but I find Florence a little more interesting 🙂 Just kidding. Never been to Italy, but when I do, I definitely make sure Rome is properly explored.
It’s funny how we instantly connect with a place. I found that same feeling for Copenhagen interestingly enough.
We spent parts of a few days in Rome 10 years ago on our final big trip pre-baby. I loved it, even the crowds. I wasn’t a fan of being ignored by a Vespa rider as I walked across a crosswalk but at least I lived. My first taste of gelato near the Pantheon is one of my great memories of that visit.
i have to admit, i didn’t get rome a totally fair shot on my first time there. BUT, the romantic has been back a few times and falls more in love with it each time. a do-over is in order, i think! xo, the wino
Love this! Can’t wait to swap travel stories with you at lunch this week!
I fell in love with Rome just like you. Beautiful pictures!
Hi!
Just found your blog. Very interesting! I am a crazy woman traveling with my four kids. Last October we went Rome and what’s even more crazy – we are going back next October for more 🙂
You can see a glimpse here http://kuueliikmeline.blogspot.com/ It is in Estonian and I haven’t updated it for some time.
i t is the blood speacking Francesca, we ll always wait for here….Ciao a presto.