I finally went on holiday this year (this is my first holiday of 2025) This trip was kind of out of the blue, as me and my friend Helen booked this trip 2 weeks before going, so it was kind of spontaneous. ### Before the trip I did most of the planning, and was designated the one to lead the way. I did all the research such as finding the tickets, flights, stay etc. all of it. It was quite fun, I didn't mind planning the trip. Usually I just prefer to go in blind and find my way through when I'm there, talking to locals and self-exploring, but since I'm going with a friend, I did some planning. I decided to write up a whole google docs itinerary, it was very detailed. Funny thing about this trip, is that the day before we went, we were told about our stay having to share with another guest, which was not said on the website, and we were shocked when we found out. So we had to cancel the booking and find a new place. After some gruesome hours, we finally found a place that could take us in. Nice. Flights and accommodation done. Not bad price. I think it was £250 in total. ### 1st Day - 17th Sept I woke up 5am, got ready by 6am and left to go Croydon to meet my friend Helen. Gatwick was only 15 minutes away. We flew early in the morning so that we can do some stuff in Rome. The flight was delayed however, but we still stuck with out plans and adapted. We arrived around 2pm (their local time). First thing we did was go to our accommodation to drop our bags. Helen wanted to do her make up and I just us some food from maccies. It was very interesting the food, they had chicken which was very pleasant. We did live quite far from central Rome, but it was only 1 train to take. We left around 6pm to go stroll the streets of Rome, got ourselves some nice desserts and food, though some places had lines. The food was okay but the desserts were amazing such as Two Sizes. After that we got home quite late around 12am, due to the trains being shut, and we had to take the bus instead, quite exhausted that day, but good so far. We had to rest up as the next day was the main event. ### 2nd Day - 18th Sept Even when we slept late, I woke up quite early? Maybe because I'm in a different country I just do that? Either way, got ourselves some breakfast from Maccies, some pancakes and coffee. Today, we had the colosseum and St Peters Basilica and the Dome planned out. We left around 10:30am and went to St Peters Basilica first. The line was extraordinary long, even though we had pre-booked tickets. Luckily we didn't have to wait that long in the lines in the scorching heat. I forgot to mention the temperatures were hot! It was 30 degrees (celcius) and there were no clouds :( We got in after 30 minutes, and I must say it was beautiful inside. Sometimes I wonder how they managed to build such beautiful buildings with such amazing art and detail. We got some pics, and decided to go up the dome. I accidentally lead us to queuing up in the wrong queue as it was the line to get tickets, even though we had pre-booked tickets, so we didn't have to wait D: So we got the elevator up the dome, and had to climb up the 300 stairs to the very top. Now mind you, 300 steps ain't bad, but 300 steps in the heat is something else. I wasn't struggling as I had much practice with stair-master haha The view from the top was majestic, you could see the whole of the Vatican City. Rome is truly a wonder. We went down and made way to the colosseum. This was Helen's main attraction I would say. She wanted pictures, and me being there, I was the one to take all the photos. She did teach me some new things and how she wanted her photos to be taken and I followed through. We finally got into the Colosseum at our designated time, and to be honest it was kind of underwhelming? Maybe it was because we didn't get the attic or basement tickets, but maybe the views weren't viewing? After that, we went around the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill and then the local streets to go get some food and went home. We did get to walk a lot that day. ### 3rd Day - 19th Sept Today we had the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel planned. Helen made some adjustments to the plan as she wanted to visit some areas. So again we woke up and left around 10:30 am. We got to the Vatican Museums, but we had to line up because I couldn't get tickets online for it. We waited in line for 2 hours. Luckily again it was in the shade. We were happy to get in though, and again luckily we got student IDs as the tickets were so cheap for students. Inside the Vatican Museums, the artwork and galleries were something else of this world - to think how did these painters paint these back in the day, to see what Rome had, and its history was a wonder. We went around the whole way and the last place was the Sistine Chapel. Before that I went to the gift shop to buy some souvenirs for my friends and family. Back to the Sistine Chapel, I must say it was quite something again. To see the artwork still there after many years and to see everything preserved so well is astonishing. I really started to question the artwork a lot, and wondered what went through their minds back in the day for them to paint with such elegance. Our necks did sore a bit from looking up at the ceiling, no pictures were allowed to be taken due to flashes that can damage the paint pigments. Me and Helen then went to eat a nearby cafe and strolled the streets of Travestere after to get some food. The food this time was actually decent, we sat outside with live music. Again we had to leave a bit early as the trains were going to shut at 9pm. We also had to sleep early as tomorrow was the day we had to check out. ### 4th Day - 20th Sept Me and Helen wondered how on earth we managed to do basically everything, visit all the major spots/attractions within 4 days, looks like our great plan went well. Though unfortunately she was bit by a mosquito and got a really bad blister that developed on this day. It was so bad that I helped and carried her bag with me as well. Today, we planned to see the Spanish steps, but as we went there we decided to go to a health shop to get some cream for Helen's blister. Once arrived, we were told to see the free foreign GP, that can check out us out on the day straight away and that it was nearby. So that's what we did, we went to the local GP, which was just a van for her to get it checked out. They prescribed her some cream and some antibiotics to treat it. Yikes. It did look so bad and her leg was in pain. While she was at the GP, I went to a local church to obtain some holy water for the holy water bottles for my friends. Mission accomplished. We got Helen's treatment, saw the steps, and proceeded to walk around see the shopping as she wanted to see Brandy Meville. I got a funny selfie with a stranger that day inside the store haha We then made ways to the airport as time got closer, I must say it's always near towards the end of the trip something goes wrong. But getting airport was easy, nothing went wrong, it all went smooth. Landed home safely and ate some food at Croydon (where Helen resides) and I went back to my home too. What a day. I showered, and fell asleep. ### My Review on Rome Trip overall: 7/10 I liked it. Pros: - Great transport even though there were strikes - Desserts were very good - Everything was priced well, cheaper than London standards - Amazing history, rich in culture, architecture, and galleries. - People were friendly Cons: - A lot of tourism, but maybe thats just everywhere - Most food was just okay at best - Maybe we just went when it was really hot. - Super long lines if not booked Would I go again? For sure, but I wouldn't go to all the attractions again, maybe just a short visit. Very vibrant scenery compared to London. Rome is a very spiritual trip I would say. ### Tips for next time - book everything - buy a travel pass - you'll save a lot more - 3-4 day is perfect length for the trip - stay hydrated! - bring sunscreen! ### Links! Pics: [click me](https://www.tiktok.com/@jiimypov/photo/7555604952211557654?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7496106825621046806)