La bella Roma

A week ago I got to see how exchange life is in Italy when I visited my boyfriend who is on exchange in Rome at the LUISS Guido Carli University. We spent an extended weekend seeing the main tourist attractions, feeling the atmosphere at a football game and enjoying delicious Italian food and wine. 

I flew in to Rome on Thursday afternoon, but as the sun sets so early we did not have time to do much more than have dinner and enjoy the area my boyfriend lives in, San Lorenzo. It was a youthful and somewhat bohemian area that is especially popular among local students. Although there was not much else to see in the area, it was great for having dinners and drinks because prices are much lower than in the downtown tourist areas, yet the tastes may be even better and more authentic. 

On our first full day, we headed to the city center to walk around, and especially to get tickets for AS Roma's Sunday game. We got our tickets at an official AS Roma store and then headed to walk around the city. We saw Fontana di Trevi, the Spanish stairs and Piazza Navona before the sun had completely set. Given that it was November, I was surprised that every place was still packed with tourists - Rome seems to be highly popular at any time of the year. After it got dark, we walked to Fontana di Trevi again as well as to the Vittorio Emanuele II monument and Colosseum to see them in night lighting before heading to dinner where we enjoyed a menu of pasta, seafood and meat. 

Even at night time, Fontana di Trevi is packed.

Saturday we did even more sightseeing, almost too much for one day as we were completely tired out at the end. We started off with visiting Colosseum, although actually it would have been a better idea to go to Foro Romano first (they work with the same ticket but apparently the line is much, much shorter, so you can first visit Foro Romano and then pass the whole ticket line at Colosseum and walk right in with your ticket). After Foro Romano we passed the Campidoglio square on our way to Pantheon. Then we headed to the Vatican and entered Castel Sant'Angelo to get a beautiful view over the entire city. On our way back, by chance we stopped at Piazza Navona again during the pink sunset moment which pretty much made my day. This big square was perhaps my favorite place in the city with its fountains, artists selling their paintings, the amazing basilica and restaurants surrounding the square. 

On Sunday it was game time - AS Roma vs. Sassuolo! Even though I am more of a hockey girl and not all too crazy about football, going to a game was very exciting. I had only been to a game abroad once before, in Holland around the age of 8, so I did not know what to expect. Even though the game was against a smaller Italian team who did not have a huge fan base representing at the game, the atmosphere and emotions of local fans was quite amazing to experience. Everyone sang, cheered and booed loudly and  enthusiastically. Sadly, although AS Roma led 1-0 for the majority of the game, Sassuolo tied at overtime on the very last minute. The reaction of the crowd was quite heavy - someone actually set a tree on fire outside the stadium out of frustration.  

AS Roma scores!

As with any good vacation, time ran out and I feel that we could have spent many more days experiencing Rome. But it is always good to not do everything so you have a reason to go back. Now I am in Lisbon again and excited for the coming weeks of special visitors, trips and events!