As it was Mikes 21st at the start of December I had to get my thinking cap on and make some plans. I decided to go with experiences and memories over buying him an item that would eventually not get used. So we went to Rome.
We went for a romantic meal the day after him birthday at Beach Blanket Babylon, Notting Hill (which is amazing by the way) where I handed him a wrapped up gift and when he opened it he discovered the surprise that we were flying out to Rome in just two days time.
So a night out in Mason House with his friends and a cinema trip to The Hobbit later, we were off to Rome.
When we first arrived we went to see the Colesseum and spent our whole day in the surrounding area. It was amazingly huge! I found the History of the city so interesting and the Colosseum set the bar high for the rest of the holiday. We ate our first Italian dinner in a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Colosseum. I have to say I have never tasted a risotto so good.
Second day we decided to go to the Vatican. I can include the pictures but it really doesn't to it justice of how amazing it was. We decided to walk up the dome, a nice 551 steps but we thought at least we will burn off some of the great (carb filled) food we will be eating. The view was so worth the long, chlostrophobic climb as you could look down into the Vatican and see all of the amazing art. Then a few steps higher you can go outside the dome and look across the city, it was one of the best views I've ever seen.
On our last full day we went to the trevi fountain, which was unfortunately boarded up for building work so we didn't see that. We walked to the Spanish steps, a lovely area that's nice and calm in comparison to other places. We sat and ate real Italian ice cream. As an ice cream lover it was definitely one of the best.
We finished off the day with some shopping as we had some money left over. I ended up spending mine on some new gym gear (typical) but it genuinely was the thing I was most in need of so Addidas and Nike stole me away from the million Zara stores (literally, there is one every third shop).
Reflecting on our city break it really was incredible. We were there long enough that we didn't have to rush around and cram everything in. I don't think we could have stayed any longer though as my waistline was feeling the effects of carbohydrates in every meal. I recommend Rome to anybody and especially at this time of year, it really wasn't very busy which is always welcome with me as I live in central London.
It's just a shame I didn't get my Lizze McGuire moment at the Trevi Fountain but you can't have everything.
Yours Fashionably
Sarah Stoneley
