If you want something intimate, charming and cozy head to Florence.
If you’re in the mood for history, drama and grandeur head to Rome.
Today, we embrace grandiosity. 🏛️
Day 1: Rome Arrival – Priorities First
Fresh off the train from Florence, I checked into my Airbnb near the Vatican. Tired but excited to soak up all the Roman magic.
First Stop? Jollibee Chickenjoy.
Listen, I didn’t just eat it. I demolished it.
Nothing like a taste of home before diving into all things Rome.
Next: Affogato at Lemongrass Gelato 🍦☕
Three flavors of gelato for just €4.50?! Absolute steal. The rest in the area was charging 9 euros for it and this already tastes so good.
Flavors of choice:
✔ Cheesecake – Creamy goodness
✔ Yogurt – A little tang to balance things out
✔ Ferrero Rocher – Because chocolate makes everything better
I swear, this combo was pure perfection.
Creamy, tangy, chocolatey… balance achieved. ✨
Accidental Shopping Win 🎯
After wandering around my new neighborhood (as one does in Rome), I somehow ended up snagging my favorite perfume at 40% off. It’s actually made in Italy. Who knew?! I don’t.
Guess I was meant to buy it straight from the source. 🇮🇹
Day 2: Vatican, Classics & Food (Again)
Morning fuel? Jollibee and Affogato at LemonGrass. Yep, again. Judge me all you want; I regret nothing.
This time, I replaced Ferrero Rocher with Pistacchio. Just as heavenly.
Then, it was time for some proper sightseeing:
✔ Vatican City – a country of itself, where the Pope resides. 🏛️
✔ Pantheon – Old, majestic, and humbling.
✔ Trevi Fountain – Tossed a coin, made a wish. Will report back if it works. ⛲
For dinner, I hit up Osteria Bocca to eat the best Amatriciana of my life (as of this writing)
then wrapped up the night with Pompi’s pistachio tiramisu ~ yumm.
I might start a religion around tiramisu.
Day 3: From Rome’s Most Stunning Sights to the Vatican’s Inner Circle
Lunch at Pizza Novana because I needed Calamares Fritti in my system. The presentation was good, only that I didn’t like the oil they were using which made me dislike the taste. 18 euros.
4/10 because I could get a better one in my country for PHP 3.00 a piece.
(missing PH street food all of a sudden)
…But it was overcame by the best tiramisu of my life.
Two Sizes Cup! (I wish I had more, the line was loooong)
Then, I explored a few breathtaking cathedrals and iconic landmarks, completely wowed by the interiors. 🤯✨
✔ Basilica di San Luigi dei Francesi – Home to some of Caravaggio’s masterpieces 🎨
✔ Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva – A hidden gem with stunning Gothic architecture ⛪
✔ Spanish Steps – Climbed them because… when in Rome, right? 🇮🇹
✔ The Colosseum – No words needed. Just pure history and grandeur.
Each spot? A masterpiece in its own right.
Then, the real flex of the day: an exclusive Curia Tour at the Vatican!! 🏛️✨
For context, the Curia (Roman Curia) is the administrative powerhouse of the Holy See, managing Vatican affairs and running the Church’s global operations. Not exactly a place the average tourist gets to step into.
All thanks to my old college professor, Father Denny Toledo ~ a Jesuit now living in the Vatican. What are the odds?! 🤯
And as if that wasn’t cool enough, he introduced me to a few Jesuits from all over the world and even ATE with them inside the Curia.
Turns out, they have their own café right inside ~ and their own gym too!
Jesuits might live a life of service, but clearly, they don’t skimp on good coffee, gelato and gains.
Fascinating fact about Jesuits:
If you’re a Jesuit, everything is provided for you ~ housing, food, education, even healthcare. They take a vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience, meaning they personally own nothing. Whatever land or assets they acquire belong to the Jesuit order, not to any individual.
The Jesuits are also known for their intellectual rigor ~ many of them hold multiple degrees, and their institutions are among the best in the world.
(Ever heard of Georgetown, Fordham, or Boston College? Yep, all Jesuit-run. That includes my University.)
Sitting there, sharing a meal with them, I couldn’t help but admire their global network, discipline, and dedication ~ they truly live a mission-driven life.
Also, turns out, Father Denny is also into cameras, so he brought out his majestic full-frame camera and took some lovely shots of me. Thank goodness. I am so over my endless handheld selfies and self-timers. It’s good to have a break. XD
God literally provided me with both a tour guide and a personal photographer.
#Blessed indeed.
The only regret? Wishing I had met up with him during the day. We even made it to the Curia’s rooftop, but with limited lighting, we couldn’t quite capture the beauty it deserved (including me, of course). 😆
That said, the Vatican at night just hits different. 🏛️✨
Day 4: Off to the next country
Stay tune.
Final Thoughts: Rome Did Not Disappoint
Ate well. Explored even better. Zero regrets. (Except maybe not smuggling some tiramisu to the next country).
If you’re planning a trip to Rome, make sure to:
✅ Eat all the tiramisu
✅ Get lost in the side streets (accidental finds are the best)
✅ If you know a Jesuit, hit them up ~ apparently, they give the best Vatican tours 😆
Until next time, Rome! 🇮🇹✨
