The study abroad program in Florence includes a three-day visit to Rome. I first thought that I was only going to be in Florence for the whole semester, but I was wrong. I was super excited to hear that we were all going to Rome.
On September 19, we boarded a fast train to Rome, which took just a little bit over an hour. Arriving at the train station in Rome, we instantly encountered more noise, bigger crowds and a faster pace compared to Florence. Our guide Kiara, who works for AIFS, took us to the Starhotels Metropole, which was only a 10-minute walk from the train station. The hotel was just as nice as the NH Firenze, and some would argue that it was nicer.
Later that day we had a guided tour at the Vatican Museum. We took the Metro to the Vatican, and I have to be honest, I did not like it. It was very crowded; everyone is in a rush and pickpocketing is more prevalent in Rome compared to Florence, especially on the Metro. Personally, nothing happened to me because I watched my stuff and made sure not to stand too close to the doors. Upon arrival at the Vatican Museum, we had to have out bags examined and pass through security, which took a while. But it was all worth it.
Our guided tour lasted for about four hours. The Vatican Museum was way bigger than I thought, with art everywhere you look, tombs, and resting places of famous people like Saint Constantine the Great and his mother. I also saw the bathtub of Emperor Nero and got to see Saint Peter’s Basilica. We did not go in the Basilica that day because we were already tired. The tour was long, and I got to see part of the Vatican gardens, frescos, tapestries, relics and treasures that I had never seen or heard of before. Everything is fantastic and beautiful, and if I were ever to come back to the Vatican, I would love to tour the Vatican Museum again because just seeing it once is not enough in my opinion.
The next day was filled with even more adventure. From the hotel, we were all guided to the Roman Forum and given a tour through the ruins with a detailed explanation of the history and its significance. While visiting the Forum was a fun and awesome experience, it was a very hot 90-degree day. After that, we were all guided to the Colosseum, a very crowded site with a lot more shade to protect us from the hot sun. Overall, it was amazing.
I wanted more, so did some of my classmates. After the tour, a small group of us took the metro again to the Vatican so that we could go inside Saint Peter’s Basilica. We waited for over an hour outside the Vatican just to get in. I soon realized that the reason why it was taking so long was because pilgrims from all over the world were coming to the Vatican to pray during the Jubilee year.
Once we were in Saint Peter’s Square, we entered another hour-long line to get inside of Saint Peter’s. Even though it was hot outside, my classmates and I did not get bored, and we all talked, laughed at the situation, and had a good time before entering the Basilica. Crossing through the huge doors and entering Saint Peter’s Basilica, it was more beautiful in person than I could ever imagine. Mass was being celebrated when we looked around. The atmosphere and the music made everything so much better despite it being crowded. Going around Saint Peter’s, I got to see the Pieta, the Holy See, and the chair of Saint Peter.
For the rest of the day, I hung out with my classmates and we all got dinner together. When you are in Rome, you have to try the four pastas of Rome, which are Cacio e Pepe, Gricia, Carbonara and Amatriciana. Each of the pastas are amazing.
What would you do if you visited Rome? What would you like to see, and what would your favorite place be?
