Bella Roma.
My first trip abroad in over 10 years, it's been a while I know ... I have always had this urge to want to see the world, I'm pretty sure most of you out there have the same feeling. So why not take you with me?
This is where #taranstravels start. Rome, Italy. I decided to head to Italy for my first trip, as this is where my first holiday was when I was 11 years old. I thought it would be nice to go back to where I saw these beautiful sites for the first time and revisit them for a first initial holiday! Safe option and I'm glad I did it.
I was buzzing from weeks before, I've had a weird obsession with travel wallets since I booked my holiday; so I went on a shopping spree to find the perfect one. I found a cheap alternative to the original one I wanted but it worked a treat and was small enough to fit in my cute little backpack! Click here to see the travel wallet I purchased for my holiday :)
Alongside the travel wallet and a small backpack, I also took my Instax FujiFilm camera along with me. I treated myself to this fun camera last year and do not regret it one bit. It is fun, easy to use and gives you the cutest photos as an end result - perfect for logging memories!
I also decided to log my travels so I've started a travel journal which I cannot wait to share with you guys! If you would like to keep up to date with my new scrap-booking project then let me know by subscribing to my blog! If I have enough interest then I may create a sub-section for that on my blog for you arty folks!
This aside, let's get onto the fun part - ROME!
Of course, I must start with a posey photo in the middle of nowhere!
The moment I landed, I had a flash back of memories from when I went to Italy with my school. It was crazy, but easy enough to understand and get to where I needed to go.
I stayed at The Rome Times Hotel - It was located 10 minutes away from the Trevi Fountain and a 10 minute walk to the closest metro station!
The first day was a little long-winded, as I had landed in the evening and had spent approximately almost two hours trying to locate where I was actually staying! In the end it was literally a 10 minute walk from where I had got off the metro. Crazy huh? You can imagine after all of that travelling and phaf, I decided to call it a night!
The second day, a day full of excitement and touristy things was ahead of me! Of course, you cannot go to Rome and not visit the key tourist attractions! Saturday was full of speaking to random Italian folk, being forcefully sold selfie sticks, lots of walking and of course Italian cuisine from pasta to gelato ice-cream!
First stop: Spanish Steps
Once I left the hotel, I had no clue where I was walking to. So I had made the decision to follow where most of the people were walking to, I followed and followed and ended up at the Spanish Steps coincidentally! This was actually one of the stops I wanted to visit, so the spontaneous way of getting there actually worked. Whilst walking down the beautiful streets of Rome, I had to stop and take a picture. The views are incredible, the atmosphere as a whole is completely different to what we are used to here in the UK. Once I was out in the air, I felt like I was happy and in some way at peace! I'ts truly crazy how a change of air, scenery and culture makes you feel .. I felt rather happy! :)
On the way to my next destination, following on from the Spanish Steps - I stumbled into this designer alley way called Via Condetti. It was practically a never ending street of designer couture brands. The stores were endless - Gucci, Prada, Salvatore Farragamo, Hermes, Céline and so much more!!
Second stop: Trevi Fountain
The last time I visited this beautiful attraction, was when I was 11 years old! I know, ages ago right? I went with my school and when I saw this beauty, it was in the evening. This time, it was the first location I went to - BOY did I get a flash back of memories! You can imagine it was incredibly busy, beautiful views of the fountain and lots of photos being taken ... I did the most touristy thing ever, I stood in-front of the foundation and took a goofy selfie! No holiday is complete without a few of these photos!
After a few photos, it was time for lunch so I stopped at a restaurant which was literally 2 minutes from the fountain to eat PASTA!
Third stop: Piazza Di Navona
After the Trevi fountain, I decided to walk to Piazza Di Navona; a small square with lots of different Italian eateries. This location is super cute for a quiet sit down and just to explore different food places. Although I had already eaten, it was still lovely to see what this location was all about, there were a few little tourist shops, so I went inand bought a few little knick knacks to take back home.
Fourth stop: Colloseum, Roman Forum & Arch of Titus
After a little sit down at Piazza Di Navona - I headed toward the Colloseum and Roman Forum. You cannot come to Rome and not visit this beautiful site! Again, the last time I had visited this place was years ago. I arrived at the Colloseum, but it was a little too late to actually go in and see the tour which was a shame, so I simply admired the views of the ruins from where I was.
Once I had taken time to take in the beauty of where I was, I went for a casual stroll down the streets of Rome! The trees are so different, totally different to what I'm used to so I was kind of freaking out over this a little (if you know me, you know what I'm like when I'm intrigued and excited by something). I did actually almost get into trouble by an Italian army guard too but lets not go too much into that - haha!
So because I was super excited about visiting Italy again, I actually vlogged my entire holiday (well snippets for you). Click on the link below to watch the video!
I hope this was a good read and helps you guys if you head off to Rome soon!
I'll hopefully catch you soon, reading another #taranstravels post!
Arrivederci tesoro!