Ah, Roma!
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| Us overlooking the river |
Like many Americans, I've always wanted to see Rome. I’d
heard and read stories from many people who just rave about the city. One thing
I read before we came was something to the effect of the “grittiness” of Rome,
but even with that grittiness you can’t help but fall in love. This didn't sound so great to me and so I tried to forget that I read it because I just didn't understand how I could love something described as dirty and gritty and crowded.
Well, let me tell you, that description actually makes a lot
of sense and I truly did fall in love with the city despite of and because of
its grit! I don’t know how to explain it, but it just gets to you. For me, it was a combination of two things that really put
me over the edge: the beautiful ancient architecture around every corner and the food.
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| Ruins near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier |
Everywhere you turn in Rome is another historically
significant and beautiful structure. From the Coliseum, to the Trevi Fountain,
to the Pantheon, to St. Peter’s Basilica to the random church on the corner;
the beauty is overwhelming. There are fountains and plazas and huge Roman
columns, you think you've gotten a handle on the city and seen so much and you
turn the corner to find another grand and stunning
building/fountain/sculpture/obelisk that you haven’t seen before!
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The Colosseum
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The beautiful Trevi Fountain
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The Pantheon at Night
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| View from the Pantheon doors |
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And then there’s the food!!! With my diagnosis of Celiac
disease just a few months ago, I was kind of dreading our time in Italy when it
came to the eating part. I love Italian food, but since my diagnosis it’s been
hard to find a gluten free pizza, bread or pasta that is actually more than
just a way to satisfy my craving. I've yet to find any that’s really good. And
then I came to Rome. Rome knows how to do gluten free and they do it amazingly
well. Drew and I had many meals and often shared two entirely gluten free dishes
so that we each could try more things. And all of it was delicious! He didn't feel like he was being cheated and I felt normal again! I found restaurants
that had entire menus that were 100% gluten free (Mama! Eat), and many other
places could make at least a few types of gluten free pasta or pizza as well. I
was in heaven and for those three days we both ate extremely well and filled
ourselves with lots of pizza, pasta and wine, and several cappuccinos and even
gelato.
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My first meal in Rome: Gluten Free deliciousness at Mama! Eat
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| Gluten Free Nutella Pizza for Dessert at Mama! Eat |
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If you’re a Celiac, you MUST go to Rome. You have to go
out to eat in a place where it’s not a big deal and people just nod and hand
you their gluten free menu. You have to taste the best gluten free pizza and
pasta in the world. You just have to. It’ll be worth it.
And if you’re not a Celiac, you’re still going to love Rome.
It’s beautiful, romantic, and full of amazing food in addition to all the
legendary sites!
I was very sad to leave Rome…luckily we will be back for two
days in just a couple weeks, as that is where our cruise departs from. Super
happy about that!
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| Inside Vatican City |
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| Vatican City |
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| Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain at Piazza Navona |
For more pictures of beautiful Roma, click here.
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