Roman Holiday

From Ruins to Realizations

When James and I started planning this year’s travels, we made a very intentional decision: skip the peak summer chaos and lean into the shoulder seasons. Spring and fall offer cooler temps, fewer crowds (allegedly), and make it easier for James’ coworkers with kids to claim their summer leave. So far, we have no regrets—especially after our recent October trip to Rome.

Let’s start with the weather. It was practically perfect. Highs around 25°C (77°F), lows around 13°C (55°F), and a golden-hour glow that made every ruin and rooftop terrace feel like a movie set. Crowd-wise? Well… let’s just say that any pride we had about confidently navigating Madrid now feels laughable. Rome makes Madrid seem almost quaint. Even in “moderate” tourist season, the Eternal City is eternally packed.

Packing Shenanigans (and the Almost-Shoe Heist)

Every couple has their travel rituals, and one of ours is the Great Luggage Negotiation. I had already packed a few bonus items into James’ duffel in exchange for wrinkle-free real estate in mine. But right as we were walking out the door, I realized I’d forgotten my leather booties.

“Oh well,” I shrugged. “Guess you’ll just have to buy me Italian leather boots. No biggie.”
Cue James silently making room in his bag (previously he told me he had run out of room) and grabbing my boots. Impressive pivot.

Tour or Bust (Literally, in Some Cases)

I’ve warmed up to guided experiences over the years. While I once felt guilty for not doing all the heavy research myself, I’ve learned that curated tours take the pressure off and help cut through information overload. We often book through GetYourGuide.com for its convenience and variety—but this trip reminded us that not all experiences are created equal.

Day 1: Golf Carting Through Rome

We kicked things off with a 90-minute private golf cart tour. It was a fun way to get a lay of the land, and our guide customized the experience with historical context and a few special stops—like Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, where a trompe l’oeil ceiling completely fooled my eyes until we stood in just the right spot. Mind blown.

The only drawback? Traffic. Rome’s congestion means 90 minutes disappears quickly, and unlike other tours we’ve done (shoutout to tuk-tuks in Madrid and Lisbon!), there was no option to extend.

Victor Emmanuel II Monument: Big, Bold, and... Deceptively Full of Stairs

After the tour, James lured me into climbing what felt like 800 stairs to reach a rooftop terrace with drinks. I was told there would be prosecco. There was. But wow... the walking.

Day 2: Vatican Walkabout, a Happy Accident, and a Pasta Class Fail

We set off for the Vatican, wandering the streets of Rome en route. Along the way, we stumbled upon an unexpected gem: FLOWERS. Art from the Renaissance to Artificial Intelligence—a multisensory exhibit at Chiostro del Bramante. Think: music, scent, visual art, and interactive elements. I adored it. James was… supportive.

That evening, we took a pasta-making class booked through GetYourGuide, hosted in the cellar of a restaurant. Unfortunately, the restaurant had pretty terrible reviews (which we found after booking), and the class felt more like a “pasta for beginners” tutorial. One egg, 100g flour, a splash of wine, and a ladyfinger for dessert. Not exactly la dolce vita. Note to self: next time, do more independent research before booking a food experience.

Day 3: The Tour That Ghosted Us

We had a guided Colosseum tour scheduled and arrived early after a leisurely walk and a hefty lunch. Unfortunately, the guide never showed up. We found another lost tourist who’d also booked the same tour—so we weren’t alone in our disappointment. While we got a refund, the missed opportunity stung. This was one of the main things we were looking forward to.

Day 4: A Toast to 12 Years (and Tuscany!)

For our anniversary, we took a 12-hour guided tour to Tuscany and Montepulciano. It was a long day but after walking 18k–23k steps daily, we welcomed a little bus time. Highlights included:

• A medieval stroll through Montepulciano

• A visit to the Renaissance church of St. Biagio

• A vineyard lunch and wine tasting at Brunello di Montalcino

• Pecorino cheese and panoramic views in Pienza (UNESCO World Heritage site)

It was a good mix of rest and adventure. And it marked anniversary #12 in yet another memorable location:
Denver → Winnipeg → Comox → Victoria → Vancouver → Greenwood → Halifax → Madrid → Rome.
We know we’ve been lucky—and we don’t take it for granted.

Final Day: Vatican Redemption & Rocket-Fueled Taxi

We squeezed in one last tour: the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, with fast-track entry and a top-notch guide from City Light Tours (booked via GetYourGuide). It was efficient, informative, and well worth the price. Unfortunately, we had to dash off before properly exploring St. Peter’s—blame our return flight.

Our journey back to Madrid? Smoothest ever. From landing to unlocking our front door: 50 minutes. (Shoutout to our taxi driver, who hit 130 km/h—James was thrilled, I stayed in denial.)

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Other Bits & Bloopers

• Rome drivers win the crown for chaos. Vespas in oncoming traffic? Sure. Scooters threading through impossibly narrow lanes? Why not.

• Our golf cart guide, a former chef, claimed pizza is Egyptian in origin—Italians just made it better. Like they did with filled croissants. Controversial.

• Our apartment had a gorgeous, shared courtyard… and two resident turtles I seriously considered smuggling home.

• Minor kitchen mishap: we exploded the glass stovetop. Turns out, the glass was meant to stay up, not serve as a heat-safe surface. Whoops.

  

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Final Thoughts

Rome was breathtaking, beautiful, and—at times—bonkers. But it also confirmed something James and I have both been feeling: we’re ready for quieter travel. Small towns, slower moments, fewer tourist traps. The magic of travel is still very much alive, but we’re learning to find it in simpler places.