A Last-Minute Trip That Felt Like Coming Home

Rome wasn’t originally part of our Europe trip. It was a last-minute decision we made while already traveling — we booked a flight from Marseille to Rome almost on a whim. And honestly? We didn’t regret it for a second. The only thing we regretted was not staying longer.

Italy completely won us over. The food, the history, the energy — all of it lived up to the hype. The people were warm and welcoming, with one important exception: be cautious around major tourist sites where people aggressively sell trinkets. Politely say no and keep walking. Other than that, Rome was unforgettable.

Day 1: Arrival & Ancient Rome Icons

We landed at Rome Ciampino Airport at 10:10 a.m. and checked into Hotel Flavia, located near Via Veneto — a convenient, central area that made getting around easy. However, keep in mind that the airport is far away from the city center area. There are Ubers everywhere you can take once you arrive, however.

Colosseum & Roman Forum

We jumped straight into history at the Colosseum, opened in A.D. 80 and once capable of holding about 50,000 spectators. Standing inside, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of centuries. For the best pictures with the Colosseum in the back, go across from it and climb the stairs. That will take you a level higher which will give you the best photo.

Just a short walk away is the Roman Forum, a sprawling area of temples, monuments, and government buildings that once formed the heart of ancient Rome.

Trevi Fountain & Pantheon

Next, we made our way to the Trevi Fountain, surrounded by shops and buzzing streets. No matter how crowded it gets, it’s still magical.

A short walk later brought us to the Pantheon, built around A.D. 120. Its massive dome and perfect proportions are still an architectural marvel today.

Day 2: Vatican City, Trastevere & Why Italy Felt Personal

St. Peter’s Basilica

We headed to St. Peter’s Basilica, the epicenter of Roman Catholicism, located inside Vatican City. Entry is free, and the sheer scale and beauty of the basilica are awe-inspiring.

Trastevere

Later, we explored Trastevere, a lively, soulful neighborhood often compared to New York City’s Greenwich Village. Cobblestone streets, local shops, and endless restaurants — this is where Rome feels most alive.

The food here was phenomenal, and this is where Italy really stole my heart.

A Personal Note: Italy, Ethiopia & Pasta

As an Ethiopian, being in Italy felt personal in a way I didn’t expect. Growing up, Italian food — especially pasta — was already part of my life.

Ethiopia was never colonized, but it was occupied by Italy for five years, and that period left cultural influences that still exist today, particularly in food. If you’ve ever been to an Ethiopian restaurant, you’ve probably noticed there’s almost always a pasta dish on the menu, right alongside injera and traditional stews.

Pasta was something I grew up loving long before I ever set foot in Italy. So being in Rome — surrounded by pasta everywhere — felt oddly familiar, almost like going home. It wasn’t about discovering something new; it was about reconnecting with flavors that had always been part of my story. We also enjoyed our gelato and macchiatos.

Day 3: Art, Piazzas & Unexpected Shopping Wins

Art & Historic Squares

We started the day at San Luigi dei Francesi, home to three Caravaggio masterpieces, including The Calling of St. Matthew. Seeing them in person is unforgettable.

From there, we walked to Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s most iconic piazzas, then continued to the Spanish Steps, always buzzing with energy.

We wrapped up the day at Campo de’ Fiori, which is worth visiting twice — once during the day for the market and again in the evening when it turns into a lively social hub.

Shopping in Rome (So Good We’re Still Talking About It)

Rome surprised us when it came to shopping. Italy is known for leather, and you really can find beautiful leather goods for less.

I bought:

• A new pair of leather boots
• A leather bag with my initials engraved
• A leather jacket from a thrift store for just €29

My husband also bought a ton of clothes. Between boutiques and thrift stores, shopping became one of the unexpected highlights of the trip.

Best time to Visit:
The best times to visit Rome are the shoulder seasons (April-June & September-October) for great weather and manageable crowds, or the low season (November-February, excluding holidays) for fewer tourists and lower prices, though it’s cooler and can be rainy. That’s what we did. Summer (July-August) offers vibrancy but is very hot and crowded, while spring brings blooms and fall has mild, sunny days perfect for exploring.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Hotel Flavia, which was comfortable, well located, and made it easy to explore Rome on foot and Uber.

Final Thoughts

Rome was spontaneous, chaotic, delicious, and deeply memorable.

We loved the food, the history, the warmth of the people, and the way the city somehow felt both new and familiar at the same time. Aside from avoiding aggressive street ticket sellers near major attractions, the experience was overwhelmingly positive.

If you’re debating a last-minute trip to Rome, go — just make sure you stay longer than we did.

Yours,