For those who have read previous posts..I was supposed to visit Rome and Budapest, but was forced to cut my trip short due to a death in the family..I flew home to NY the day I was supposed to leave for Budapest.

To start, I am a 21 year old female, travelling alone. I took my first trip to Europe (also alone) in February 2004. I've saved and saved and saved, this was my SEVENTH trip over since then (all of them solo expect for one last year).

I stayed at the Sam Rooms on V. Emmanuele Filiberto, about a 20 minute walk from Termini and a 25 minute walk from the Colosseum. Great rate--70e, including breakfast. The owners are really wonderful people. My room and bathroom were extremely clean and very nice with satellite TV (important to me, I do like to relax at night and watch some telly). I felt safe walking around at night, although I think the latest i walked around was at 10pm (although there was one night I was craving pizza close to midnight and ran to the "a taglio" place next door)

First thing I did after checking in was walk to the Colosseum..but before I even made it halfway there, I fell in love with a pair of sunglasses in a shop window and purchased them (typical me). Gucci is a bit cheaper in Italy! After the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Forum, I went for a pizza (delicious, with the Roman thin crust of course), then hiked it up to the Spanish Steps. From there I walked to the Trevi Fountain.

One tip that I've picked up in my travels: when trying to get into a sight and there's a huge line, FOLLOW THE FRENCH! They will almost always be cutting the line. Just act like you're with them.

I was originally going to take a walking tour of the area, but I'm glad I didn't, I enjoyed walking around by myself and reflecting.

I dont really remember what I did much from day to day..visited whatever interested me, spent a lot of time just walking..around Trastevere and various neighborhoods.

My favorite was probably St. Peters (I walked from my hotel--took me 2 hours but I did it!); I am a Catholic, and the moment I walked into the Sq I felt very moved..glad I had sunglasses on because I was crying. The basilica is extremely beautiful.

I enjoyed some wonderful food; I have to say that it made me very proud of some of what we have to offer where I live in Staten Island (which,btw, IS part of NYC--though some Manhattanites will probably tell you we're a part of jersey! It's a very italian area, and honestly some of the restaurants and bakeries that we have really ARE just as good as what I ate in Italy--and the food was delicious!

I was supposed to go to Pompei/Naples for a day, but with only five nights in Rome and more to see and do, decided to spent all my time there and save the rest for another trip.

I'm not fluent in Italian. Either many people in Rome DON'T speak English, or they just don't do what people in other countries have done: When I speak in their language, they tend to switch over to English. I never once asked anyone if they spoke English, I simply got by with my broken italian and with hand gestures. The italians are VERY patient!

Oh, and twice I got asked for directions from other tourists who thought I lived there. Made me smile! A few people (who worked at restaurants, etc) asked me if I was italian, where my family is from etc..they seemed interested, very friendly (for the record, my family is from Sicily and Naples).

Only took the metro twice and a cab twice (after shopping and had heavy bags!). Metro is very easy to use (but then, I live in New York..). I did do some shopping--hats, scarves, gloves, a few things for the family, and ended up buying THREE pairs of sunglasses before returning home!

Conclusions: I enjoyed my time in Rome, but honestly don't feel the need to return any time soon. Different from Paris, where before I'd barely even made it out of Gare de Nord I was already planning my next trip..! But I am of course very glad I visited.

Next up for me is a return to London and Paris in three weeks..can hardly wait!

Thank you again Fodorites for being helpful,

Christine

geez louise, I said "sort of brief" and that is nowhere NEAR brief--sorry!

Nice trip report. It is really fabulous that you are able to travel so much at your age and that you are courageous enough to do it alone. Bravo to your parents if they instilled the independent spirit in you! I know too many people (of all ages) who are just so afraid of things that are different from what they are used to and are unwilling to explore (not that I am claiming to be fearless). It's a shame, really.

Brava to you!

Thanks! I like the freedom that goes with travelling alone..also you tend to talk more to other people easier. My first trip to Europe was supposed to be with a friend so he had to cancel..I didn't tell my parents that I'd be alone till we were on our way to the airport..! They were not amused, LOL. But I went and survived and came back in one piece..they're still not thrilled with it, but luckily I'm of legal age.

For me, travelling alone lets me go where I want and when I want. If I waited for someone to travel with, I'd still be waiting.
Great trip report. Once you have chronic wanderlust, it never goes away!!

MissZeigfeld, first off I am very sorry for the death in your family. May God grant the deceased eternal peace.

Secondly, my trip report is LONG, yours was, despite your misgivings, pretty concise, but you hit the important highlights. Sounds like you had a good time, and I am glad. Rome is "my" city, and as a fellow Catholic, I definitely understood your feelings about St. Peter's Basilica. This last trip to Rome for me was all about the churches, I couldn't get enough.

Thank you for sharing your impressions and experiences with us. Wishing you continued good travel very soon.

BC

Hi MissZiegfeld, I enjoyed your trip report and I also love to travel solo. I wonder if you would elaborate more about your feeling about Paris vs. Rome. I have been to Paris twice and read every post regarding Paris on this forum because I am always thinking of my next Paris trip. I am planning a trip to Rome in March.