How to Rome Alone

Shannon O'Leary
Mar 7, 2017
6 min read

Wednesday afternoon I learned my Thursday morning class had been cancelled. Earlier that week, my Thursday afternoon class as well as my babysitting/tutoring job had both been postponed. Since Saturday I had rehearsal and Sunday, a concert, I took the suddenly free day as a sign from the universe. By the time I got home later that evening I'd made up my mind and booked a train ticket to Rome.

Thursday morning I took my seat on the train and headed to Rome, alone. I thought about what it meant to be traveling to a new city to stay overnight on my own and then I found myself disappointed that I even had to contemplate such things.

Personally, I feel like growing up I was told to be strong and independent, but then also to make sure I don't do things by myself. This is a very black and white statement and as I've gotten older I've been able to start sorting out the grey area. When I came to Italy I was nervous about meeting people because I wanted to travel and have friends (classic middle school feeling, but still real). Then I had the realization that I wasn't going to let being alone keep me from traveling. Though I want to continue to graduate nothing in the future is guaranteed. I have this moment, right now, that's it. And I decided I was not going to be afraid to do what I came to Italy to do: learn and see as many things as possible.

I arrived in Rome right on time and after a bit of being turned around I successfully found my Airbnb. I stayed in a building right near the Manzoni Metro stop, which ended up being a wonderful accident because Rome only has two metro lines. I had a lot to do in, basically 24-hours, so I started of right away to the Colosseum. Pro tip: I purchased a combo ticket online before hand and I only had to wait a short time to get through security. Purchase tickets to anything you want to see before hand, it's 100% worth it. I know it seems like common sense but I didn't do it for the Vatican the next morning and that caused a lot of delay and headache. Most tickets have flexible dates so commit and buy them early, you'll get a lot more out of your trip.

The Colosseum was incredible! You see photos and read about these places and you create your own idea of what they look like in real life. When you actually get there, however, they are often different than what you pictured. Everything I've seen so far though, has been just as, if not more, incredible than I had pictured.

The Colosseum has had a long life of ups and downs, from vicious gladiator battles, to being stripped of materials to build the Vatican, this place has seen it all and imagining such a grande place being built by hand is mind blowing.

Right next door to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, a large, gated area of the ruins of important government building in ancient Rome, it's worth the ticket to get inside, especially if you got the combo ticket. There are panoramic views of Rome as well as a time capsule of history, being a history geek, I was in heaven.

It was well into the afternoon by the time I had finished inside the Forum. Choosing quickly I decided to brave the metro and take it to the Trevi District to pay a visit to the famous Trevi Fountain. Unlike Milan, though the metro stop may say "Fontana di Trevi" that does not mean you'll exit the metro and the place you're looking for is right in front of you or a block away. From the stop I took a casual stroll down the busy streets. The weather was well into the 60's and had left my jacket at home. For context, the Trevi Fountain is tucked away in a small piazza off the main road. You come in from behind it and see the masses of people first, which reassures you that you're in the right place. Nicola Savli is the Italian architect who designed the fountain while it was finished by Pietro Bracci. This Baroque style masterpiece is exquisite and detailed, it almost didn't seem real. A nice surprise of the day was that people were pretty friendly and self aware that many people wanted the perfect picture, view, spot, etc. and it was simple to get some photos and make my way down to the fountain to, of course, toss a coin and make a wish.

I sat watching the scene around my, partially because even with all the people it was still a remarkably relaxing place, the fact I'd also walked around 30,000 steps may also have had something to do with it.

To my delight, the Pantheon was close by and I was not ready to give up my goal of seeing as much as possible in one day. So I said goodbye to my bench and my feet and I continued onward through Rome.

The Pantheon stands out against the buildings and architecture that have developed around it. The dark stone and towering pillars starch contrast to the bright businesses. My entrance was free and though the sun was going down it did not take away from the experience of standing in the middle of that dome under the oculus (hole in the top of the dome).

With night setting in and my phone about to die I used the powder sparingly to take the long walk back to my sleeping arrangements to rest my feet before grabbing some dinner.

My first choice to eat had a wait until 10pm and I was planning on being asleep by then so that was out. Without regret I found a restaurant name Ornelli and had a great meal for an equally great price. A traditional Roman spaghetti dish, a class of red wine, and a delicious dessert that involved chocolate and ice cream finished the night.

The next morning was an early start as I expected to stay in the Vatican until I left for my train early that afternoon. My lesson about buying tickets ahead of time was realized as I was coerced into a tour (which I am now extremely grateful for), thank goodness for student discounts. A positive was a met a young woman traveling from India. She had recently liberated herself from her job and was taking a vacation before applying for her post doctorate somewhere in the States.

While I only saw some of the Vatican Museums (there is more than a day's worth to see) my tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and also quite funny. Because of her I learned that Pope Benedict (the previous pope who retired) still lives in the Vatican and that he and Pope Francis are good friends. I learned about the different symbols in the Vatican that would have gone unnoticed by me otherwise. Of course, I saw world famous works of art including the Sistine Chapel which holds inside The Final Judgement by Michelangelo as well as the ceiling panel containing the famous image of the Touch of God. St. Peter's Basilica was breathtaking, the vastness made me 1. question the Catholic ideal of humility and simplicity but also 2. astounded me that all of this was done by hand so long ago and still remains today. St. Peter's square was beautiful, complete with all the seats for the mass given on Sunday. I could have spent all day there but, alas, found myself heading to the train station all too soon.

Of course, not without grabbing a few postcards and a gelato on my way out.

My successful solo trip has made me much more confident about traveling alone, and just being independent in general. I can only imagine what it will be like back in the States, when I can fluently speak the language around me.

While Rome is a huge tourist spot, it is so for a reason, and I think it is worth putting up with to see everything Rome has in store for anyone that comes to see her. It is a beautiful city and the history is never ending, I think Rome is the Eternal City because once you have been there, it never really leaves you.