Our first major oopsies during our three days in Rome: (1) not realizing that many establishments were closed in August because locals had gone on vacation themselves and (2) distances are much farther than they appear, despite what Google Map claims.
TRAVEL TRIP: If you want a more authentic experience, avoid visiting the major cities like Rome and Paris in the month of August. The residents, who usually are the shopkeepers and restaurant owners, go on vacation during that month. What places left open are mainly for tourists and so the diner probably won’t be eating the same Carbonara that the locals seek out.
Our feet were sore and we were ravenous when we finally reached Farine la Pizza for our first official meal in Rome. Stupid Google Maps. That wasn’t no stinking 15 minutes from our AirBnb, it felt more like 50. Regardless, the pizzeria was closed; the owners, according to the notice on the door, had gone on vacation and would return at the end of the month.
TRAVEL TIP: The major transit hub of Rome and the terminus of the Leonardo Express Train from the Leonardo Da Vinci-Fiumicino International Airport, where most visitors will likely arrive, is Termini Station. Caution should be taken to secure persons and belongings as the place, like many other major metropolitan areas around the globe, can be unsavory.
TRAVEL TIP: For novice international travelers (like we were back then) or those who plan to connect to several other cities in the country, it may be wise to find lodging near the major transit hub. Traffic is usually an issue. In Rome, in particular, strikes by transit employees are an almost regular (predictable) occurrence.
Since we were already in the area (at least it looked that way on our downloaded Google Map of Rome), after our little failed food excursion, we thought we’d make the best of it. We could swing by the Terme di Caracalla (“Baths of Caracalla”), Circus Maximus, and Giardino degli Aranci (all attractions on our must-see list) and hopefully come across someplace to partake of this delicious Italian food. If only. We ended up eating mediocre pizza at some random forgettable joint, next to a bunch of drunk and rowdy Norwegian college students on holiday. Truth be told, we only walked past the Baths and the Track Field, nevermind the Giardino. Guess we will just have to save that one for our next trip!
