My Roman Holiday

CEBU, Philippines -  No this is not about the 1953 romantic comedy movie starring  my favorite actress Audrey Hepburn. But one would feel like Audrey Hepburn's character roaming around the streets of Rome on her own. Just like Audrey Hepburn, I experienced Rome by myself. Yes, no travel agent. It was just me doing all the planning and wandering.

Last October 19, I was fortunate enough to go to Italy not just for St. Pedro Calungsod's canonization but also for leisure. I have always dreamed of going to Italy to experience its culture and the food – not to mention their gelato. As a chef, I have always considered Italian food as number one in my list. I would always envision how Italian mothers cook their food, using recipes passed on from generation to generation. So as I arrived in Rome, on my first night, I immediately tried authentic Italian pasta and pizza. Frankly I was a little bit disappointed – the pasta was a bit bland and the pizza was not what I hoped to be, freshly baked in a wood-fired oven. I guess it's because the city of Rome has been banning the use of wood-fired oven. They also have to make their pizza in advance, to avoid fire hazards.

The next day, I was lining up for two hours at St. Peter's Square just to enter the Basilica of San Pietro. Believe me, two hours is worth the wait; I would even line up for more than two hours again just to see  Michelangelo's Pieta, altar made by Bernini, the tomb of Blessed John Paul II, and, last but not the least, St. Peter's burial site. Wow, the experience was overwhelming!

After all that walking and queuing, I decided to try and experience the hop on hop off bus tour. It was definitely worth the 27 euros I paid, for 48 hours. The bus would take you to all of Rome's breathtaking sites plus it has stops, so you can go down and walk around those treasured sites at any time and pace you like. The hop on hop off bus would go through all those stops every 15 minutes. After the canonization, I decided to go and see one of Rome's beautiful fountains, the Fontana de Trevi. I was awed because it is said to be the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world, not to mention it’s quite refreshing to just sit there, relax, eat gelato and watch the water flow on a sunny afternoon. Of course I had to make a wish,  legend says that when you make a wish at the Trevi fountain, it will bring good fortune and a fast return to Rome. From one beautiful fountain to the next, I went to Piazza Navona which has Bernini's spectacular Fountain of the Four Rivers at the center. Then on to the Spanish Steps. Honestly, there's nothing to do there but just sit and watch the flow of humanity. Luckily, it is along Via Condotti where chic shopping is a must. Brands like Prada, Dior, Gucci, Ferragamo, Valentino, Louis Vuitton etc. are all there.

On my second day, I rode again the hop on hop off bus to go see the Vatican Museum. Truly, it was an unforgettable experience that required strength, stamina and patience. You'll need at least one day to explore undoubtedly one of the world's greatest museums. Works by Da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael and of course Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel is there.

On my third day, I had a sensory overload from all the works of art I've seen, so I decided to go to the colosseum. Walking inside the colosseum made me think: yeah this is it, I am definitely in Rome. This beautiful structure not only represents Rome but it is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture. This is where gladiatorial contests and public spectacles were held. Mind you, this can hold up to fifty thousand spectators during its heyday. A few meters from the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine and the Palatine Hill where you can walk through the ruins. Another inspiring place to see in Rome  is the Santa Scala, these were the 28 marble steps climbed by Jesus Christ during his prosecution by Pontius Pilate, and brought to Rome by St. Helena mother of Emperor Constantine. I ended my tour of Rome with a visit to the Pantheon, it is literally known as the temple of all gods. The structure alone would speak for itself with its magnificent columns and its circular dome.

After Rome, my journey continued to a four-hour train ride via Trenitalia, about 80 euros per way, to the beautiful city of Venezia. Arriving in Venice is such a surreal experience. Now I know why Venice is always one of the top cities of the world and a UNESCO heritage site. Venice is very different from all the other Italian cities; the canals alone make a huge statement. My first day was marked by a wonderful experience, taking the vaporetto (about 7 euros) to have a grand canal tour. This is the cheapest way to explore Venice since gondolas are quite expensive, especially when you are on a budget. I purposely got lost in Venice, wandering aimlessly for three hours through its narrow streets and alleys; ofcourse, with a little bit of shopping along the way, especially window shopping, or just looking around in the Rialto Market.

Then I went to see the famous St. Mark's Square. One should not leave Venice without entering the beautiful St. Mark's Basilica. It is one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture. The square of St. Mark's is very large and beautiful, you could run around and feed the pigeons or you can just sit in a cafe with a cup of espresso or eat gelato, looking at people in the square. On my last day in Venice, I went on a tour to the Doge's Palace or the Palazzo Ducale, which is the seat of government in Venice for centuries. The palace is very grand and very gothic in architecture. It used to be the residence of all the Doge's (rulers) of Venice. It was only in Venice that I discovered good pizza along Piazza San Maurizio. It's a little pizzaria where they serve delicious pizza, about 5 euros per slice. One should not leave Venice without buying the famous Venetian masks. They will cost you about 15 to 30 euros, depending on the design and quality.

Truly, Italy is one of the places one should visit in his or her lifetime. There are so many other beautiful places to go and see but the culture and warmth of the Italians will keep travelers like me coming back. As I ended my journey, I will always treasure the places I  saw,the people I've met. My Roman holiday is one experience  I will never forget and perhaps next year, my wish at the Trevi fountain may be granted and I would go back and experience it all over again. (FREEMAN)