If you have ever been to Rome and stood in front of the grand and glorious Trevi Fountain, you will see people chucking in coin after coin, over their shoulder.
Legend has is that if you throw coins in the Trevi Fountain, you will one day return to Rome.
Not one to want to tempt fate, I too grabbed a handful of change and chucked it in. A bit cliché? Sure, but you really don't care. You kiss your coins, infusing them with love and wish with all your might that the universe is listening.
And you leave, live the rest of your life, never giving it another thought.
Until now.
I guess I am living proof that the magic of the Roman coin toss is the real-deal!
On the spur of the moment (which isn't really in C.'s vocabulary), a without a plan (which isn't always in mine), we found such a fabulous deal to fly to Rome, that we just couldn't resist.
After much too long of a hiatus, we wiil return to Rome for a week at the end of May!
You may remember my last trip to Rome. The arrival wasn't pretty. In fact it has taken me 5 long years to get over the trauma, and want to try it again.
This trip will be different. So, different. No car, for starters. We are leaving the transport to trained professionals. Plane, train, metro, taxi. And feet.
And we will be soley in Rome. Seven full days to just soak up the Roman atmosphere.
Another difference- I am so looking forward to just really doing nothing but *being* in Rome.
Honestly, I'd be perfectly content with not setting foot in one museum. Instead, I'd choose just wandering the little off the beaten path Roman neighborhoods, looking at all the architecture, taking photos of peeling facades, doors and streetsigns.
No expensive, gourmet dinners either- just real Roman food in little trattorias.
Walking around the Campo di' Fiore, drooling over all the produce at the market. Throw in a flea market and a caffé pit stop at least one a day and I'll be a happy camper!
Perhaps the best difference of all- I have *met* many Italians since our last trip, many who live or have lived in Rome. Having them pass along all of their local knowledge and perhaps getting to meet them after haviing Internet relationships with them will make our trip, well, a slice of life in the REAL ROME.
Even if it is only for a week. I still think we will feel as if we have lived something special.
Of course, we have learned more Italian since last time. We'll have to start boning up, but we can enjoy speaking (and hopefully understanding) more of the language.
Oh, and I have my MacBook now! So, I'll be bloggin' right from the road. So in a way, I'll be taking you all with me!! Great, I could use some help with my luggage!
A little take-away here. I sign up for almost every airfare deal alert imaginable and will continue to do so. I will no longer complain about how much they clog my inbox. Because if it wasn't for acting quickly on one of these deal alerts (that's right, I am talking to YOU Travelzoo!) we wouldn't be returning this soon.
And I must thank the Roman Fountain Gods and Godessess who oversee the Trevi Fountain, who work tirelessly at granting the wishes and dreams of tourists 'round the globe who hope to one day return to their magical city.
If you're listening…it worked!!! From the bottom of my Italian lovin' heart, I say thank you. Thank You!
Now, can you work on providing good weather and a favorable exchange rate?
If you have been or perhaps lived in Rome, what are your favorite things to do?