A Roman Holiday of My Own (2016)

Rome felt like stepping into a history book that suddenly started breathing. The moment I arrived, I was surrounded by ancient ruins, grand piazzas, and fountains that seemed to have stories older than most countries. Every corner looked like it belonged in a movie.

I had always wanted to visit Rome so badly after watching Audrey Hepburn's Roman Holiday movie, where she wandered around the city. Something about her riding a Vespa, laughing in the streets, and discovering Rome with wide-eyed wonder stayed with me for years. So when I finally stepped onto those same cobblestone streets, it felt like stepping into a dream I’d kept tucked away for a long time.

And then, there was Pisa. Just a train ride away from Florence, in the Tuscany region, this small city welcomed me with its iconic tilted tower. The Leaning Tower of Pisa looked even more surreal in person, leaning gracefully, as if striking a dramatic pose for centuries. It’s not a big city, but it’s charming. I joined the crowd of tourists pretending to “hold up” the tower for photos (because of course, you have to). It was silly, fun, and exactly the kind of memory you keep.

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Somehow, I ended up at the Trevi Fountain without even trying. It was crowded, but the fountain still looked majestic, glowing under the afternoon sun. I threw a coin like everyone else, wishing to come back someday. That night was messy, romantic, and alive.

I started wandering with no clear plan, which honestly might be the best way to explore Rome. One moment I was crossing a random street, and the next, the Colosseum appeared in front of me like a giant reminder of how small I am. It was unbelievable to think that thousands of years ago, people sat there to watch gladiators fight. It felt surreal.

By the time I reached the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica stood like a masterpiece. I sat in the square for a while, just watching people from all over the world gather in the same place. The bells rang, pigeons flew, and for a moment, everything felt perfectly still.

Rome was fascinating in the best way. Italy isn’t a place you check off a list; it’s a place you feel, piece by piece, like chapters of a story you want to keep reading.