I flew from Barcelona to Rome on the eve of my 31st birthday, thinking Italy would be the perfect place to celebrate. I’d be by myself in a foreign country, but that didn’t matter. Italy was romantic, historic, and full of possibility.

At the Barcelona airport, I met a kind man named Flavio. We talked before the flight, and he offered tips on things to see in Italy. Once we landed at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, I planned to take the train into the city, but the station signs were mostly in Italian, and this was before Google Translate became what it is today. Flavio noticed me looking lost and helped me find the Leonardo Express train and buy my ticket. I was grateful for his help. We exchanged contact information, and I boarded the train.

The ride into Rome was scenic, countryside giving way to city. When I arrived at Roma Termini Station, I took a taxi to my hotel, something I’d later realize was unnecessary. The driver didn’t speak English, and I suspected he took the long way to raise the fare, a suspicion I’d confirm later in the trip. Still, I was just happy to have arrived.

I checked into the small but welcoming IG Hotel Roma. The room was simple, the mattress was harder than expected, but it was clean and comfortable enough. Once settled, I set out to explore the city with no real plan. Following signs for the Trevi Fountain, I found it almost empty, a rare sight in January. I tossed a coin, took a few photos, and moved on.

Eventually, I followed more signs and climbed through narrow side streets until I reached the top of the Spanish Steps, standing before the twin towers of Trinità dei Monti Church. From there, the steps spilled out toward Piazza di Spagna below, filled with people chatting and taking photos. I walked down slowly, taking in the view, then stopped for a scoop of gelato on my way back to the hotel.

Day 2 – Birthday Adventures in Rome

I woke early and took the subway to the Colosseum, determined to beat the crowds. When I arrived, the gates were still closed, and the vendors were just setting up. The morning light over the ancient ruins was breathtaking. Once inside, it was quiet, just me, the ruins, and a few stray cats.

Afterward, I wandered the city with no real plan. I shopped, treated myself to a couple of new coats, and eventually passed a small sandwich shop where a man standing in the doorway called out to me. I stood there for a moment, unsure if he was talking to me or someone else. Then he smiled and walked up to me.

Speaking in broken English, he asked where in America I was from. I was surprised he knew I was American—I hadn’t said a word. I guess Americans have a look. Or maybe it was that I was a Black woman in Italy. Who knows.

His name was Antonio. I told him I was from Florida, since that’s where I was living at the time. He invited me to have a sandwich with him. I don’t remember if I actually ate the sandwich or not, but we talked for a while. He asked why I was in Italy, and I told him it was my birthday. He smiled, said happy birthday, and then turned to the man behind the counter and told him, “It’s her birthday.” The shop owner nodded slightly and went back to what he was doing.

Before I left, Antonio said, “I’m going to see you again.” I gave a polite but dismissive smile and headed up the road. Later that afternoon, I ran into him by chance in front of the Altare della Patria, the massive white marble monument in Piazza Venezia. He laughed and said, “I told you I would see you again.”

We spent the rest of the day walking around the city together. He showed me the Aventine Keyhole, where you can see the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica perfectly framed in the distance, the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden), Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, and the Roman Forum. We wandered for hours, talking about travel and life. I never saw him again, but it remains one of my most memorable birthdays. I skipped cake that year and celebrated with gelato instead.

Day 3 – Florence

The next morning, I joined a guided bus tour through Tuscany to Florence. The tour left extremely early, and it was cold. As we drove through the countryside at dawn, I began to understand why people fall in love with Italy. The soft orange and pink light washed over the olive groves and vineyards, and it looked exactly like the photos you see in magazines.

We stopped at a roadside café where I picked up a sandwich and a few snacks before continuing toward the city. There were people from all over the world on the bus, and our guide switched between five languages with ease, never missing a beat.

In Florence, I saw Michelangelo’s David, which was much larger than I expected. The details were incredible, the veins, the posture, the expression. I learned that the statue originally stood outside in Piazza della Signoria before being moved indoors to protect it from the elements. Outside the museum and in the square were several other grand statues, including Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Cellini, Hercules and Cacus by Bandinelli, and a replica of David standing where the original once did. The entire area felt like an open-air gallery.

I visited the Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore), one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Its red-tiled dome by Brunelleschi dominated the skyline, and the marble façade, detailed in green, pink, and white, was even more impressive up close. Inside, the vast interior and painted dome were beautiful.

Afterward, I walked through Piazza della Signoria, rubbed the nose of the bronze boar at Mercato Nuovo, a small tradition said to bring good luck and ensure a return to the city, and browsed the nearby leather shops. One store was filled with rows of handcrafted bags, and another with bright wooden Pinocchio figures painted in every size imaginable.

From there, I made my way to the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s famous covered bridge lined with jewelry shops and overlooking the Arno River. Along the chains by the river were love locks, small reminders of all the couples who had come before. As the sun began to set, we made our way back to Rome.

Days 4&5 – Vatican City and Departure

I visited Vatican City and toured St. Peter’s Basilica. I’d scheduled a small guided tour because I figured I’d need help navigating the crowds. Vatican City felt like a place built for grandeur. The buildings are palatial, the plazas vast, and the level of detail almost impossible to take in all at once.

Because Christmas had just passed, several small nativity scenes were still on display. Our guide led us through courtyards and galleries, pointing out historical details and famous works of art. I’ll admit I didn’t catch every explanation, I was too distracted by the sheer scale of it all.

When we reached the Sistine Chapel, signs were everywhere saying no photography. Guards stood along the walls watching people closely, ready to step in if anyone tried. Like everyone else, I looked up at the ceiling. Some people gasped, others whispered, and a few even cried. As they explained the creation and preservation of the artwork, along with the cracks and chips in the paint, I thought to myself, this is fine, but I don’t quite understand why it gets so much attention. Maybe I’m just not that into old works of art.

We continued on to St. Peter’s Basilica, its massive dome visible from nearly anywhere in the city. Inside, sunlight streamed through the high windows and reflected off the marble floors. There was gold everywhere, on the altars, the ceilings, the artwork. Much of it came from centuries of church wealth and donations collected across Europe during the Renaissance, when popes competed to outdo one another in grandeur. The space felt sacred, even to those who weren’t particularly religious. The sheer size and craftsmanship of it all made it easy to see why people travel halfway across the world to visit.

The scale of Vatican City is impressive, every inch filled with art, symbolism, and centuries of history.

That night, I tried to contact Flavio to say thank you, but I couldn’t figure out how to use the hotel phone. I wasn’t used to dialing international codes or calling anyone outside the United States. I asked for help, but the language barrier made it complicated. In the end, I asked the woman at the front desk to call him for me, just to pass along my thanks.

The next morning, I left Italy. I walked to the train station, it was only about two blocks from my hotel. I told you that cab driver overcharged me. I took the train back to the airport and boarded my flight. Italy had left a lasting impression, and I knew I’d be back one day.

Getting Around

Rome

Rome’s main train hub is Roma Termini, where the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino Airport arrives. From there, most of the city can be reached by Metro, bus, or tram, though much of central Rome is best explored on foot. The Metro only has three lines, but it connects to key areas like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Spanish Steps.

Taxis are available but can be expensive, and drivers sometimes take longer routes for higher fares. It’s often easier to use Uber, Free Now, or walk if the weather is good. For short distances, walking through the narrow side streets is part of the experience—Rome is full of unexpected views and small piazzas worth stumbling into.

If you’re staying for a few days, a Rome public transport pass (24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour) can be used on buses, trams, and the Metro.

Florence

Florence is a compact, walkable city. Most major attractions—the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, and Piazza della Signoria—are within a 15-minute walk of each other. Cars are restricted in the city center, so taxis or rideshares are only really needed if you have luggage or mobility issues.

If you’re staying outside the historic area, local buses run frequently, and tickets can be purchased at tabacchi shops (marked with a “T”) or on mobile apps like Tabnet. Just remember to validate your ticket once you’re on board.

Between Cities

High-speed trains make traveling between Italian cities fast and easy. The Trenitalia Frecciarossa or Italo trains connect Rome and Florence in about 1.5 hours. Tickets are cheaper if you book in advance online.

If you’re exploring Tuscany, guided day tours are convenient, but you can also rent a car to see smaller towns like Siena, Pisa, or San Gimignano at your own pace.

Other Things to Do in Rome

Pantheon – One of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the city, famous for its massive dome and open oculus.
Campo de’ Fiori Market – A colorful morning market full of flowers, produce, and olive oil.
Castel Sant’Angelo – Originally Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, now a museum with great city views.
Trastevere Neighborhood – A charming area of cobbled streets and family-run trattorias.
Villa Borghese Gardens and Galleria Borghese – Rome’s main park and one of its best art collections.

Other Things to Do in Florence

Uffizi Gallery – Home to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and masterpieces by da Vinci and Raphael.
Piazzale Michelangelo – The best panoramic view of Florence, especially at sunset.
Basilica of Santa Croce – The resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
San Lorenzo Market – Great for leather goods and food stalls inside the Mercato Centrale.
Boboli Gardens – Peaceful gardens behind the Pitti Palace filled with sculptures and fountains.

Rome & Florence Italy