(The first in a series about my trip to Europe!)
Happy 60th Birthday to me! I did it! Eleven years ago, I posted about how the movie Under the Tuscan Sun had changed me. It became one of my favorite movies, and when I watched it, I fell in love with the countryside of Tuscany. I was even emotional. I knew one day I wanted to see Tuscany, but you know the drill — life got in the way.
I often repeated that one day I would go to Italy, but the years ticked by, and I had almost given up on ever getting there. Why? Money and fear mostly. But this past year, I found myself with the means to go and I knew I had to take it before something else happened. However, it took months for me to commit to purchasing the airplane tickets, but I finally did. On the morning of my 60th birthday, I stepped onto Italian soil. It was the start of a ten-day, solo trip (my first international trip!) to Europe! By the end of the 10 days, I had amazing memories, but I also endured quite a few challenges. I persevered, and I’m so happy to share what I did with you — especially Tuscany! — and provide tips and suggestions if you want to do it one day too!
I chose an evening non-stop flight on May 26 (my birthday is May 27th) from New York to Rome. To get me in the mood for the trip, I watched the 1953 classic movie Roman Holiday on the plane ride out. Oh, let’s talk about that plane ride. I had never flown over water, flown over water by myself, or been on such a long flight before (did I mention BY MYSELF?!) The flight was 8 1/2 hours, and the longest I had been on up to that point was about six hours from New York to Los Angeles. To help me relax on takeoff, I relied on my favorite song, Wicked’s Defying Gravity. I cued up the song so when we lifted up, I heard, “And if you care to find me, look to the Western Sky. As someone told me lately, everyone deserves a chance to fly, and If I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free.” I had daydreamed about that moment with that song and it was absolutely perfect. I actually cried. I felt so relaxed and empowered.
I knew the first day I would be tired because of the overnight flight, excitement, and nerves, so I decided not to plan anything. I wanted to just walk around and take my time. I booked a hotel reservation at Ottocento Hotel (I will talk about this in another post, but it was great), located right between the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain (which I couldn’t wait to see). So after doing some research, I decided to buy what had been called ‘the best tiramisu in Italy’ from Pompi and sit at the La Fontana della Barcaccia at the bottom of the Spanish Steps (you’re allowed to sit there; they have seating). I even brought a 6 and a 0 candle to put in it!
Tip: I didn’t know my way around Italy yet. I didn’t speak much of the language, and my flight was arriving when I was tired, so I had the hotel arrange a car service to take me directly to the hotel. It cost a little more than grabbing a taxi, but it was convenient and absolutely worth it to me. Consider how you can make things easier for yourself when traveling.
I freshened up and headed out to explore. I’m often asked how it felt being there after dreaming about it for so long. My answer: surreal. I kept having to tell myself, “You did it. You’re in Rome!” In all honesty, I still keep telling myself that!
A funny thing happened on the way to Rome, though. My back — more specifically, my tailbone — which had given me some pain in the weeks before I left, flared up on the plane ride (next time I’m buying a seat with more leg room because I deserve that comfort). Luckily, I brought a foldable cane to help me get around, and it proved to be a lifesaver. But I was still in a lot of pain. If you have any sort of chronic pain, you know that it can overshadow anything you’re doing. If it wasn’t for my family sending me encouraging texts and telling me “we’re so proud of you,” and “just sit and people watch when you need a break,” and “take it slow,” I almost wanted to throw in the towel and admit I couldn’t do it. But this was Italy! Number one on my bucket list. Come on, Lisa, you did it. You’re in Rome!! Keep going!!
I did. I people-watched that first day, but I also walked all around the Spanish Steps (yes, there are officers there keeping you from sitting on the actual steps).
As I sat at the fountain and began to put the candles in my tiramisu to celebrate, I heard someone yell HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! “Is it really your birthday?” this young woman asked me. “Yes, today,” I said, smiling. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! She was so happy for me. She took my photo with the tiramisu, and I heard what I think was her boyfriend yelling happy birthday to me, too. What a delightful surprise from such a sweet woman. I wish I had gotten her name, but if you’re reading this, thank you. It was a special way to start a special trip on a special monumental day.
Sometime later, I visited Antico Caffè Greco, a literary café and the oldest café in Rome, as well as the second-oldest in Italy. As a writer, of course, I was going to visit. I ordered a turkey club sandwich, but to be honest, it was just so-so. I should have just sampled their pastries, but I was hungry! I do love being in places of literary history, though. It was a cute place, though, and I enjoyed looking around. Here are a few photos from that:
Speaking of writers, on my first day in Rome (surreal), I also visited the Keats-Shelley House Museum (which will be featured in a separate post).
My birthday dinner was a white spinach pizza at Lo Botte Antica, and it’s true what they say: when you don’t finish something in Italy, the staff thinks something is wrong. It wasn’t! It was delicious. I can’t eat that much! I had my first cappuccino at Lo Botte Antica that night, too.
Tip: Due to my back, I had to change plans and find a restaurant closer to where I was walking. Be flexible, just in case something like this happens to you.
I later topped off the night with pistachio panna cotta, which was absolutely delicious (I got it at a restaurant near the hotel, but I don’t recall the name).
Overall, my 60th birthday and my first day in Italy was absolutely perfect. I never thought this trip would happen — Happy Birthday to Me! This Virgin Traveler has finally traveled to Europe!
