Speaking of rushing around though, I'm convinced Rome is only called the "Eternal City" because it is impossible to see and do everything in one trip, there is just way too much to see. That being said, this city has taught me that guide books only teach us so much and sometimes it's better to toss that "Top 10 Must Sees" list and just see and do the things that interest you. Sure there might be some things you really should see at least for their historical or cultural value. For me though, the sites of the Vatican City were things I wouldn't put on my personal "must see" list again.
My second full day in Rome was my "Vatican City" day, as I called it. If you know me at all, you know I'm definitely not Catholic and that I take my Jewish beliefs pretty seriously, so I didn't have any reason to visit the Vatican or Saint Peter's Basilica for religious inspiration. Saint Peters, as you may know, is the biggest Catholic church in the world, and the Vatican is, well, the Vatican. Both are described as breathtaking and ornate and beautiful buildings you have to visit when you visit Rome. It was one of those places that you always hear about and anyone and everyone who has been to Rome says you must see.
Well guess what:
You don't.
Thank goodness the basilica was free. I appreciated it for what it is and the talent and skill that went into the artwork and architecture of the building, but it was not for me. Yes, I went in expecting it to be a Catholic church, I was aware of what it was going in, but it wasn't until I was actually inside that I realized that this was not going to be one of my top experiences of Rome. St. Peter's was too overwhelming for me in a sense, I simply couldn't get over how ornate and elaborate the design was for a church, and to be honest, it bothered me. Hear me out, there is nothing wrong with having a beautiful place of worship, I have seen some amazing synagogues that have clearly had good money invested in them, but St. Peter's was unlike anything I have ever seen. Marble and gold everywhere. And I mean everywhere. To me I don't see how anyone on earth could ever focus during a service in there, it is that over the top. I had that thought while I was walking around inside and then it made me wonder, doesn't that defeat the purpose of a place of worship if the people don't focus on G-d? The rest of my visit was spent thinking of things like that as I explored and while the building was impressive, the experience as a whole will not be among my favorite experiences from this trip.
That experience is exactly what I mean when I say throw away that guide book list of things to see and make your own. If you want to follow it, that's fine too, but don't be afraid to divert from it if you find yourself getting tired of museums or churches. Explore the city: what catches your eye? Plan your trip based on things that interest you, and see the sites that pique your interest when you read about them. Or even better, toss the map and get lost. Or take a random tour to places few tourists visit from your hotel's front desk staff on their night off. That's what I did and I loved every second of it!
Well, it wasn't my hotel desk staff, I'm staying with a family here in Rome, but my aunt happened to be in Rome for a few days and I met with her and her friend for an afternoon and for dinner, when we decided to join this tour being given by 2 of the guys who worked the front desk at their hotel. I think it was one of my favorite experiences of this trip. They took us by car for 2 hours around Rome and made various stops at places that most tourists never bother to visit. I mean, did you know there's a pyramid in Rome? A pyramid! I didn't know that. Granted it's no pyramid of Giza, but still pretty cool and relatively large. We also learned that most of the cobblestone streets of Rome, the ones made of smaller square shapes only date back to the Middle Ages. Its on the edges of the city, where we did get to stop, where one of the oldest routes of the Roman empire still exits. I got to stand on, and touch, the large stones of a road constructed in 312 B.C. Appian Way, look it up.
We also explored some of the 7 hills upon which Rome was founded and got to experience some amazing nighttime views of the city. It was a nice break to see things off the main tourist path and to spend some time with my aunt. As nice as it is to travel alone, it can be nice to have someone to talk to and explore with for a little bit.
Would I return to Rome? Yes, but it's not at the top of my travel priority list to return to. Do I recommend it for others? Absolutely.
