This is it…the last blog post about my spring trip to Europe with Dan! I meant to write this a lot earlier. In fact, my goal was to wrap up the Euro trip recap before 2017 arrived, but that didn’t exactly work out as planned. Is anyone else having a supremely lazy yet fulfilling start to the new year? My month has been filled with happy moments that make me smile at where I am in life and how lucky I am to have so many incredible people around me. From attending the first birthday party of my former roommate and bestie’s sweet little daughter, to seeing my best friend since childhood get married just a few days ago, it’s been a very tender month. Add in a visit from yet another bestie leading up to the wedding, working a full time day job, and Pinteresting, planning and meeting potential vendors for my own 2018 wedding, and it’s just been a very busy but exciting time in my life. Check out my Instagram to get a peek of what I’ve been up to in the meantime.
It’s probably safe to assume that my blog posts will be a little sporadic over the next year or so. I feel a little guilty prioritizing wedding planning over blog posts, but the truth is…
I want to enjoy this time and make the most of being engaged. I want to be present for the planning process, and for all the sweet little moments that happen along the way. I only have a year to savor this special time in my life, and when all is said and done, and Miss becomes Mrs, I know this blog will be here waiting for me. And then I can get to work documenting the honeymoon!
Thank you so much in advance for sticking it out with me, for coming back day after day to read my stories and check in to see what’s new. I have plenty of good stuff coming your way soon, including more local Orlando fun with my little brother Jared and some details from a very laid-back December trip to visit family in Washington. I’d also like to throw in a few posts of a more personal nature, be it wedding planning or just little snapshots of my life outside of travel and blogging. But before we get into all that, let’s wrap up Euro Trip 2016 and take a tour of the Roman Forum, the historic site that captured my heart and imagination while Dan and I were in Rome last spring.
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are included in a ticket to the Colosseum, but I don’t think I’d ever really heard of either one before planning our trip to France and Italy. Now a fascinating collection of ruins, Palatine Hill is said to be the place where the very first Romans lived, and with views this this, who could blame them?
Over time, the area grew and expanded to become the center of political, business and social life for ancient Romans, with temples and shops erected in the Roman Forum below. Sporting stadiums, gardens and even palaces graced the hillside, as several of Rome’s earliest emperors and wealthy merchants called Palatine Hill home.
Today, it is a sprawling collection of ruins, the only place Dan and I found where we could leave the touristy mess of selfie-stick sellers and pushy restaurateurs and truly escape back in time to the glory days of ancient Rome. Our visit to the nearby Colosseum put us in the mood for a little walking history lesson, but it was the subsequent tour of the Forum and Palatine Hill that really captured my heart. It was the Rome I dreamed of visiting, complete with crumbled columns, courtyards full of statues in various forms of decay, and a fleeting glimpse of what life might have been like in ancient Rome.
Come along with me as I relive our hours-long tour of the Roman Forum, relishing the little details and marveling at what remains of the former hub of this great city. (Oh, and if you haven’t already, you might want to grab a drink and get comfortable. I’m an avid over-sharer when it comes to my photos, so we’ll be here a while!)
The Roman Forum
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill was once home to the wealthiest members of Roman society. Later, it became the exclusive domain of various Roman emperors. Today, it is comprised primarily of ruined palaces, gardens, theaters, and family homes with prime view of the city.
I found the site to be a fascinating and informative experience; by far my favorite tourist spot in Rome. Not only were the ruins themselves beautiful, but the story behind them and the way it was told through plaques and signs made this a truly immersive and imaginative experience. Because it is such a sprawling and historic site, I do recommend a guided tour of some sort, but if history or architecture are your thing, definitely budget some time to wander freely once the tour concludes. Since it is included in the Colosseum ticket, there is no excuse for first-time visitors to miss out on this spot! Check it out and let me know what you think.
And for those who have been to the Forum before, I’d love to know your thoughts as well! Comment below and let me know: what was the Roman site (touristy or otherwise) that blew your mind and left you wanting more?
2traveldads says
What a great photo essay. I have been wanting to explore the Forum for always! It’s really cool and such a great example of history.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you! It’s a great example of history come to life, and it’s way cooler than anything you could learn from a history book.
Cindy Collins says
Loved all your beautiful pictures. Looks like in amazing place. Will have to visit when we finally make it to Rome!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you Cindy! I highly recommend it, especially if you can swing a tour and learn even more about the history of each spot.
Chrissie says
I have heard many great things about Rome. It will go on my want to see travel list for sure. Beautkful pictures. Thank you for sharing!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Rome as a whole was just packed with tourists, which I didn’t love, but places like the Forum made the whole trip worth the crowds. Hope you see it for yourself soon!
Riely says
Isn’t the Roman Forum breathtaking?! I could stay forever exploring every corner.
Brianna says
I visited the Roman Forum several years ago when I was in high school. I remember standing there and just trying to imagine how many people had stood where I was and seen the place at its former state. It makes you feel pretty small 😛 I’d love to go back there some time.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Right!? It’s fascinating to think about how the space might have functioned when it was first built. I imagine you learned a lot more of the history behind the place than I did, visiting with your school. 🙂
Anamika says
What a beautiful place..i loved watching these pictures..would definitely want to visit someday!!
You are in a beautiful phase of life..enjoy!!
xo
http://www.floridmaven.com/
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you so much! 🙂 I hope you make it to the Forum soon!
Marcella's Mind (@photocela) says
Italy is one of my favourites country to visit, unfortunately I haven’t been yet in Rome, but now I can’t wait to go there.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
What are your recommendations within Italy? I’ve only been to Rome but there are so many gorgeous spots out there, I don’t know where to go next! 🙂
Laura Piekarski says
Thank you for sharing! Before my dad passed, we spent our summer in Italy, and it was the best trip of my life. These pictures are bringing back so many memories! 🙂
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Laura, that sounds like an amazing summer, with so many warm memories attached to it! Sorry to hear about your father.
Elizabeth Uchealor says
Awesome post, your pictures tell a lot of stories and I also love your smile.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Aw thank you on both counts! 🙂
Dominique| Perchance to Cook says
The roman forum is why Rome is one of my favorite cities in the world. Being able to walk among such history, while still being in a modern functioning city, is the most incredible feeling. Love your photos!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Exactly! It’s a beautiful city that has not forgotten its roots. I loved the Forum in particular because it was so easy to imagine Rome as it was in its most powerful and influential days.