They say, “all roads lead to Rome,” but I didn’t realize mine would take a surprising detour through Ireland before I ever saw a single cobblestone of the streets of Rome. On our flight to Rome, we were hours into our flight when a medical emergency happened and a guy passed out on John and into the aisle. I was getting ready to do CPR when the flight attended stepped in and found that he had a pulse. Then a couple more hours later, another passenger had what seemed like a psychotic episode, that included (but was not limited to) yelling non stop for someone to restrain her, taking photos of other passengers and their children to let them know that they are in danger, pouring water on herself and others, and scratching the poor flight attendants. The pilot announced the emergency on board and asked for all law enforcement passengers to come to the back of the plane. They had to strap her down to the seat to restrain her, We were then detoured to Ireland so they could get help. I mean, I love Ireland, but that was certainly not in our planning! Anyway… a rocky start to our trip, but, I promise, there are much happier stories to come!

Where We Stayed: Grand Hotel Fleming

After being up all night on the flight, we landed and checked in at our firs hotel, The Grand Hotel Fleming. While the building is impressive and we enjoyed the breakfast there (yummy!), I’m not sure I would pick it again because of it’s location.

The hotel was further away from the downtown area than we anticipated, about a 25–30 minute drive. If you do choose to stay here to be away from the hustle and bustle, plan to rent a car and be prepared to pay for parking. And remember: you may need cash (Euros) for parking. Surprisingly, certain credit cards are not widely accepted in many parking areas (Discover)!

Day 1: The Colosseum & A Vespa Adventure

Our first stop was the Colosseum. This tour came to us in an unusual way. We missed our original slot due to the flight delay (Dublin emergency stop).

While walking down the large staircase from our parking spot to the base of the Colosseum, we connected with a local who was selling tickets on the side, offering “expedient entrance.” The risk-taker in me took over! After a fairly sketchy walk down what appeared to be a back alley and past a jail (fun fact: this was likely the famous Mamertine Prison where St. Peter was held!), we had tickets in our name and a tour guide. Because of that we got to skip the line, and get a small group tour with a guide It was the one thing my whole family agreed was a “must-see” before we went on this trip so I’m glad we took the risk; it was beyond amazing.

Palatine Hill

Near the Colosseum is Palatine Hill, the centermost of Rome’s major hills and the birthplace of the city itself. The ruins there point to a deep history, showing off both imperial grandeur and the far-reaching strength of ancient Rome.

Vespa Tour: A Must-Do!

After taking in the beauty of the hillside, we took a tour of the city by Vespa. I absolutely loved this! The adventurer in me was so excited to have the rush of open air, zipping alongside my family in traffic while catching the sights. This was probably my favorite part of the whole trip!

This excursion includes professional photos of you, iconic sights of the city, and special hidden moments that only a local guide can point out and capture for you! Well worth it! Here are some of the fun memories we collected:

Day 2: The Vatican & The Underground City

The Catacombs

Day two was another packed day, just the way the Trop family likes it! We began by touring the Catacombs, the ancient underground burial grounds dating from the 2nd to 5th centuries. Walking these tunnels was powerful; the walls are silent testaments to early Christian saints. You can even see some of the oldest renderings of Jesus and the apostles etched on the ceilings. I strongly recommend you see this; you will be inspired!

The Vatican

Next was a private tour of the Vatican. It was phenomenal, thanks to our guide, Barbara. Her father worked as a paralegal inside the Vatican, so her accounts offered a truly authentic, personal vantage point. We absolutely LOVED this!

Before you go, here a couple of important tips to keep in mind as you plan:

• Dress Code: Modesty is key. Shoulders and knees must be covered.

• Security: It’s a busy place; keep your passport and wallet close to your person at all times!

Winding Down

We concluded our day with a lovely dinner and wind down at Arlu, a beautiful restaurant with delicious cuisine, equally delightful in its flavor and presentation!

It was the perfect conclusion before heading to bed. We needed the rest to get ready for the next leg of our trip: Tuscany. But that is a story for another day. Stay tuned!

Final Thouhgts

While Rome was a dream, navigating Italy as a family came with a bit of a learning curve. To wrap up our first leg of the trip, I’ve put together a cheat sheet of ‘Italy Essentials.’ Valuable tips and tricks we picked up during our trip and really apply to every city we visited in Italy. Here you go!

Quick Tips for Your Italy Trip

• Bring Cash (Euros): You’ll need it for tolls and parking! Many places we visited did not accept cards.
• European Adapters: Don’t forget a charger compatible with European standards.
• Passport Safety: Keep a photocopy of your passport at home or in your email as a backup.
• Language: Have Google Translate ready; many locals do not speak English.
• Breakfast & Coffee: Breakfast is light in Italy (usually just pastries). Look at the restaurants ahead of time to see when they will be open. Many aren’t open for dinner until 7pm so you may be hungry if you’re used to eating dinner before then.
• The Pizza Rule: Interestingly, I don’t recommend the pizza! Many places add toppings after the crust is baked, leaving you with cold toppings on a warm crust. Proceed with caution! 🤮

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Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Because home is where peace begins.