Rome: La Citta Eterna 4/4

Rome... the eternal city. Known for its history, romance, adventure, and shopping! This is the final trip arranged for us by Costco Travel. Rome has always been my top destination to explore. As a child, I watched the Lizzie McGuire Movie while in Nicaragua. After seeing that film, I always dreamed of visiting Rome, though I never believed it would become a reality.

Our journey commenced at the Firenze rail station, with the train ride lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Upon arriving in Rome, our first stop was the restroom. This is where I learned an important lesson about Europe: you need to pay to use the restroom. If you wish to use it, you must make a purchase. Before leaving Florence, I was beginning to feel unwell. Upon reaching our hotel, NH Collection Roma Giustiniano, it turned out to be disappointing. To begin with, the hotel shower was similar to the one in Paris—no handle, and when you're feeling very dizzy, it doesn't help.

When we arrived, we set out to explore the city. It was truly stunning. I couldn't believe I was in Italy.

On the second day in Rome, we began by heading to the breakfast buffet. Similar to previous places, breakfast was available from 7:30 to 11:00 am. The food was incredible; I drank plenty of water and enjoyed boiled eggs with toasted bread and butter, accompanied by some cappuccino. After breakfast, we took an Uber to Vatican City. Visiting Vatican City was a divine experience. It was stunningly beautiful, and I will never forget that day. I felt like I was going to faint seven times, experiencing blackouts without understanding why. It wasn't until the next day that I woke up feeling ill, weak, and without any strength.

Despite being ill, I didn't complain. I would get up, eat, and we would head to the Colosseum, the most notable Roman landmark. Upon our arrival, I recalled watching the Lizzie McGuire Movie. Although we couldn't go inside because we didn't have tickets, just being there felt enchanting. I remember telling my sister that I wanted to visit La Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). When we stepped out of the car, I heard the sound of water. Turning to my left, I saw it—the most beautiful fountain in the world. As portrayed in The Lizzie McGuire Movie, throughout history, people from all over the world have tossed their coins into the Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that if you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, it means you will return to Italy.

The following day marked our last in Rome, and I was preparing for it. The morning began as usual with breakfast, after which we headed to the Spanish Steps. Just like in The Lizzie McGuire Movie, I descended all 138 stone steps. Once at the bottom, I went directly to Via Condotti, one of Rome's most upscale areas. My niece and I entered a Gucci Store, and they looked at me as if I couldn't afford anything (which is true, but a woman can dream). We then made our way to the Pantheon, but we arrived too late to go inside. At that point, my body gave out. My stomach started aching, and I had to return to the hotel while the rest of my family shopped for souvenirs. With our flight scheduled for 6am, I didn't sleep at all. I lay down, but whenever I got up, I felt dizzy and weak. In the shower, I thought I might faint. As we headed to the airport, my condition worsened due to my Vertigo. On the flight back to Paris, I felt terrible. Once in Paris, I was exhausted. We didn't leave immediately because snow delayed the flight, requiring de-icing. After 11 hours, we landed at LAX. Upon arriving home, all I could do was sleep.

NH Collection Rating: 5/10. I usually rate positively, but this hotel has several issues. For instance, as someone experiencing severe dizziness and mild blackouts, a handle in the shower is necessary.

The food: Just like in Venice and Firenze, the cuisine was delicious. Unlike in the U.S., the food is not processed.

Final Thoughts: Europe is stunning, akin to paradise. If you asked me about my favorite places to visit, I would mention Paris and Rome. I felt a bit disappointed because our time in Paris was limited. There were many places I couldn't visit in Paris, such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of Versailles.

Landmarks: Eiffel Tower, Seine River. Gondolas. Cheese Wheel. Trevi Fountain. Spanish Steps. Via Condotti

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