Okay, so I’ve been planning this trip for a while, Tampa to Rome. It sounded simple enough when I first thought of it, but boy, was there a lot to figure out!
Getting Started
First thing I did was fire up my laptop and start searching for flights. I mean, that’s the obvious first step, right? I spent a good couple of hours just comparing prices on different websites. It was a bit of a headache, to be honest. So many options, different layovers, different airlines… ugh.
Finding the ( মোটামুটি) Right Flight
Eventually, I narrowed it down to a few flights that seemed decent. I was mostly looking for something that wasn’t crazy expensive and didn’t have a million layovers. I ended up booking a flight with a single layover in, I think, Charlotte. Seemed like the best compromise between price and convenience.
Figuring out Accommodation
- Next up: finding a place to stay in Rome. I started checking out some of the usual hotel booking sites, and also browsed through some Airbnb options.
- Rome is a bit pricier than I expected!
- I wanted to be somewhat central, so I could easily walk to some of the main sights.
- I finally settled on a little hotel near the Pantheon. Seemed like a good location, and the reviews were pretty positive.
Packing and Prepping
Then came the packing. Now, I’m not the best packer. I always tend to overpack, bringing way more stuff than I actually need. I tried to be a bit more disciplined this time, making a list and sticking to it (mostly!). Comfortable shoes were a MUST, obviously, because I knew I’d be doing a ton of walking.
I also made sure to grab my passport, print out all my booking confirmations, and exchange some dollars for Euros. Figured it’s always good to have some local currency on hand when you land.
The Trip Itself
The flight itself was… well, a flight. Long, a bit cramped, but I managed to get some sleep. The layover was smooth, thankfully. And then, finally, I landed in Rome!
Exploring Rome
The hotel was just as advertised, nice and central. I dropped off my bags and immediately headed out to explore. The Pantheon was just a short walk away, and wow, it was amazing! Just standing there, looking at this ancient building… it was pretty surreal.
Over the next few days, I walked all over the place. I saw the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain (tossed a coin in, of course!), and so much more. Ate some amazing pasta, drank some good wine… it was a fantastic trip.
Heading Home
The flight back to Tampa was uneventful, which is always a good thing. I was tired, but happy. It was an awesome experience, and I’m already thinking about where I want to go next!
