"Rome - one of the most beautiful cities... " a Rome Travel Page by fairy_dust

The summer after high school graduation, I went to Rome for World Youth Day 2000. It was the first time I'd been outside of Canada (aside from the time when I went to Disney World in Florida when I was 10, but that doesn't really count), and it was an amazing trip. I saw the Pope, and met other WYD pilgrims from all over the world. Some of my current Church buddies, I met during our experience in WYD since we were in the same group. WYD is something I'll never forget, and after seeing Rome for the first time, I knew I had to return.

As a WYD pilgrim, I went with a big group from my diocese, and we all stayed together in a campground outside of Rome. We got there a few days before WYD started, so we had time to tour Rome. Our first tour was of "religious Rome" - the Vatican and other religious attractions in Rome. Our second tour was of "historic Rome" - the coliseum and other historic monuments. Then, we spend a day in Asissi. Day after day, the city got more and more crowded as WYD pilgrims from around the world started arriving in Rome for the week-long festivities.

I returned to Rome in 2007 and my experience was quite different. No more huge WYD crowds (though still lots of tourists - it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world) so I didn't have to worry as much about getting stuffed in like a sardine at popular attractions or getting pushed around by big groups.

Also, since I was travelling on my own this time, I got to explore at my own pace. I could go where I wanted, wear what I wanted (yes, our chaperones made us dress a certain way at WYD - not fun when it's summer and hot as heck), stay out as late as I wanted, and do what I wanted without worrying about chaperones barking at me for being too free-spirited. On my first night in Rome on my second trip, I walked all the way from the Spanish steps, to the Trevi fountain, to the Piazza del Popolo, to the river, down the river, and across a bridge to St. Peter's Square, and actually laughed out loud because there I was, traipsing all over Rome in a cute sundress and strappy high heels (us dancers have tough feet, hehehe...) doing whatever the frig I wanted. I didn't have a set itinerary, just ideas on what I wanted to see and do. I chose my activities according to what I wanted to do that day.

I saw the main sights (colosseum, trevi fountain, Vatican, etc) but also wandered off to Trastevere a few times to explore that charming little neighbourhood (I had just come from spending 2.5 months in Seville, Spain, and Trastevere was like an Italian verstion of the Triana district in Seville). I also met up with an Italian friend who lives in Rome. Later in my week I also took a short trip to Tivoli and another to Assisi. In total, I spent a week and a half in Rome and enjoyed every day as it came.