2014 in Italy (Rome)
On August 17, 2014, I took a flight from Toronto (YYZ) to Rome, Italy (FCO), which resulted in the visit of only my 8th country:
This made it my:
- 1st time in continental Europe
- 2nd time in Europe proper and 2nd European country
- after UK (2002)
- 1st time in an Italian-speaking country
- 1st time in the Eurozone
Visit
The airport in Rome was also called Leonardo da Vinci Airport: I would later realize that many European cities name their airports after artists, rather than politicians (the case with many airports in North America!)
I didn’t have much sleep during the overnight flight from Toronto to Rome. I never do. I get too excited about the destination. I can’t even watch the in-flight movies. Instead, I have the map on the console while listening to music or boring podcasts (in a vain attempt to sleep).
If I went on my own, I would have headed straight for the hotel and hibernated. However, I went with a tour bus group and we started touring:
The adrenaline and the novelty of the sights took care of the jet lag, some sights included:
- Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
- St. Peter’s Basilica (inside and out)
- Colosseum
- Circus Maximus
- River Tiber
Reflection
I did not expect too much from Rome. I had never intended on making it a “must visit” in my life. I went on this trip primarily for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Still, I enjoyed the first Italy leg of the tour. As mentioned, part of why I like travel is the differences in the everyday aspects of life. When I arrive at any destination, every little mundane facet of the trip becomes novel: road signs, advertisements and even garbage bins!