The best thing about expat life? Your best friend coming to pay your continent a visit!
In September, (yep, a while ago), my beautiful bestie Margherita was brave enough to make a solo journey to Rome and of course, I was straight on a plane after work to visit her for the weekend!
I landed (delayed and very late) in Rome in the early AM so upon getting to our Roman flat, we pretty much crashed and promised each other a packed weekend of catching up and exploring Rome.
After having quite a cold and miserable summer, a weekend in Rome provided me with the little burst of summer I had been desperately seeking!
We stayed in a small suburb, just outside of central Rome, called Trastevere - Michael and I had stayed here once on our way through Rome and we loved it, it's a little less quiet than central Rome and definitely more authentic, it turned out the be the perfect place for us to indulge in Italian food and explore the city on foot.
After some coffee and breakfast, we made our way into Rome for a day of exploring and general wandering. The best part about our plans, was actually our lack of plans - we have both visited Rome before so our agenda was pretty open and we were happy to wander around and enjoy each other's company - which was a perfectly relaxing way to spend the weekend!
First and foremost - gelato was an absolute must!
YUM!
Nothing can beat some authentic Italian gelato on a hot day in Rome!
We wandered into Piazza Navona - one of the central squares in Rome and the location in which one of my favourite photos was taken. I love this photo of Marg in the square!
From here we headed to the Trevi Fountain - this was pretty much one of our only 'must see' things for the entire day. Last time I had come to Rome it was closed and I was really annoyed! So this time, since it had re-opened, I really wanted to make a stop!
Finally I got a make a wish at the Trevi Foutain
Panorama magic!
Marg, my stunning model once more, at the Trevi Fountain - it was incredibly hot here and I was loving the heat!
From here, we commended some more general wanderings around Rome and actually (accidentally) stumbled on the Pantheon, where I was once again able to use my panorama skills to take a pretty decent photo of the monument and the surrounding square.
As we walked around some of the less busy/touristy parts of Rome we started to get a little artistic (or as artistic as either of us can claim to be) with our photo taking!
A beautiful door way - featuring ivy and bikes!
And of course, what trip to Rome would be complete without a short stop by the Colosseum!?
As usual, it was packed with tourists - since we had both seen the inside we were content with wandering around the outside and taking a few happy snaps!
We enlisted the help of a kind stranger to help us take these 'bestie' style photos - not sure if it had the desired effect, we look kinda weird but we definitely look happy if nothing else!
From here, it was a mad dash back to Trastevere from the centre of Rome to avoid the rain - which suddenly started to pour down - we almost avoided it and ran into a restaurant for a late lunch and a reprieve from the suddenly wet weather!
Michael and I had actually visited this restaurant the last time we were in Rome and we really enjoyed it so Marg and I decided to head back there! Thankfully, it did not disappoint, the pasta and wine was as delicious as I had remembered and (as a bonus) also as affordable as I claimed it would be!
I am not a huge pasta fan but Italian pasta is absolutely delish!
After a huge day of walking, walking and more walking, we decided on doing some more walking! Haha! Although, this time we didn't go as far and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering, locally, around Trastevere.
I have absolutely no idea what the name of this fountain / monument is or why it is completely unknown but we walked past it and had to get a few photos.
The above photo is of Marg is a beautiful little plaza in Trastevere, she spent her first night (while I was experiencing a horribly delayed flight) people watching and eating food in this plaza - Piazza di Santa Maria,
A beautiful little cobble stoned walkway in Trastevere - this is exactly what I picture when I think of Rome :-)
We finally headed home for a little rest and recovery, after nearly 7 hour of walking!
Later that night we headed out for some more Italian food - complete with Limoncello shots!
The following day we both had to catch flights - Marghertia to Sicily and myself back to London. Of course, we made time for food and gelato!
Our final Italian gelato!
Marg outside a cute little cafe that we actually visited twice, for breakfast both days, the food was simple but delish and the people were nice enough to let us sit outside with our luggage before we headed to the airport!
I can't believe how lucky I was to have my best friend come and visit me - and in Rome of all places! It was a short visit and it went incredibly quickly but I am so thankful that we got to have an amazing weekend together!
xxx
