Unique digital nomad travel adventures from around the U.S.
After finishing grad school in 2008, I still wasn’t ready to face the real world and get a grown-up job. Instead, I decided to cash in some skymiles and head down south to Peru with a pilot friend, L, with whom I had worked over …
Let’s talk about road trips. I know they are not for everyone and some people go stir crazy if they are stuck in a car too long. But I love them. If done right, a road trip is one of the best ways to see …
As a proud Boisean, I am pleased to share my list of top ten things to do in Boise, Idaho.
One of the first things I do when researching a place I’m going to visit is to try and find some must sees for that place. I’ll look at a few different sources (e.g. a guidebook or the interweb). What I’m really looking for, though, are the little golden nuggets provided by people who actually live there. The locals are the ones who really know what’s going on. They can separate the wheat from the chaff (going biblical here people, just stick with me).
This post is going to be about what I, as a proud citizen of Boise, Idaho, would recommend to visitors coming from out of town. Here’s my top ten things to do in Boise, Idaho, the City of Trees, which is our backyard.
Note: Some of these events are seasonal. Hence, you might want to keep that in mind before you hop into the river in the middle of January.
I love to see houses that you can tell were labors of love by the architects. There are two streets in downtown Boise that have houses that fit this description. The homes (let’s get real, mansions) on these two roads are built in all kinds of styles; you’ll find Tudor, Colonial, Craftsman, Mediterranean and many others. I once heard a story that after an Italian-style home was built on Warm Springs. People thought it was so beautiful they would picnic on the front lawn. It’s hard to imagine this happening today in the age of cookie-cutter homes in pre-mapped out suburbs that are churned out in a matter of months.
Harrison Boulevard is so named because President Benjamin Harrison signed the 1890 act that made Idaho an official state (it used to be 17th St.). After the turn of the century, Boise’s uppercrust decided to congregate on this street and show off by building interesting and unique residences. Every year on October 31, the fine homeowners on Harrison throw one heck of a Halloween trick-or-treat-a-thon and you will see thousands of area kids in costumes with bags full of candy.
Around the time Idaho because a state, citizens of Boise were realizing that this area has some unique features; one of which was an abundance of hot water in the form on natural hot springs. The enterprising residents decided to use this natural boon to their benefit and built their mansions with pipes that pumped this hot water straight into their houses, hence the name ‘Warm Springs.’ This is one of the first instances in the world of geothermal heating (making B’s energy-oriented heart swell with pride).
Did you know that Idaho has more navigable white water than any other state in the lower 48? Running right through downtown, the Boise River is one of such rivers. (Although on the stretch that we are talking about here, the white water is more ‘weee’ than ‘WEEEE’ like you’ll find in other parts of Idaho). Every day during the summer months you will find swimsuit-clad Boiseans meandering down the river on a wide range of floating devices. Floaters put in at Barber Park in East Boise and float five miles down river and take out at Ann Morrison Park downtown.
Along the way, floaters will go over a few small rapids, under a few bridges and most likely through and around a few trees. The river can be very peaceful and you’ll hear woodpeckers pecking and see beaver and otter. Or it can be pretty rambunctious, and you’ll hear coeds flirt and have to avoid being splashed as teenagers jump off bridges and rope swings into the water. This is a cheap and cool way to beat the heat of a Boise summer. (Free if you don’t mind walking a little to avoid paying to park.)
In the 1870s, the Idaho Penitentiary opened its doors (and quickly locked them afterwards) to this area’s criminals. For the next hundred years, the ‘Old Pen’ would house over 13,000 (mostly) men and women, eventually closing in the 1970s. The Idaho State Historical Society maintains the Old Pen now. Visitors can explore the prison cells, grounds and even gallows where the prisoner’s spent their time.
The Penitentiary is nestled underneath Table Rock, a rock outcropping and popular hike in the Boise Foothills. The sandstone quarry on Table Rock supplied the inmates with material, which they used to build several of the buildings that make up the Old Pen complex. In 2008, the paranormal experts from the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures visited the former prison and had some experiences that would raise the hair on the back of your neck. Even if you don’t believe in paranormal activity, you will feel the eerie history of this complex as you wander around.
Remember that river we talked about in Number 9 above? Well, running parallel to the Boise River is a 25-mile long paved path where Boiseans run, skate and bike for fun…or commute to work. The path starts at the base of the Lucky Peak Dam in Lucky Peak State Park. It stretches through the city of Boise, ending in Garden City. Along this path you will see stately cottonwoods and aspens as well as critters that call this riparian area home. Last year, as I walked over the Broadway Bridge, I stopped and watched a mom and her kits (baby beavers) flip and swim around. Totes adorbs.
The Greenbelt began in the 1960s as city leaders struggled to find a way to keep the area next to the river safe from the seedier aspect of a city. To this day, there’s an annual event where volunteers clean up the river in a Riversweep. This labor of love does the trick, as I rarely see trash or debris along the pathway. If you are just visiting Boise, you can rent a bike at one of the Boise Green Bike rental kiosks around town and let the wind blow through your hair as you pedal along.
Boise boasts the highest concentration of Basques outside of the Basque land in northern Spain. For those not familiar with this group, the Basques are a distinct ethnic group whose people have lived in the Pyrenees between France and Spain for thousands of years. This makes them one of the oldest ethnic groups in Europe. Their language is Europe’s oldest living language and is wicked hard to learn. Folklore says the Devil himself spent years trying to learn it but eventually gave up.
Most people have probably heard of Basques with a historical lens. Pablo Picasso’s painting ‘Guernica’ depicts the civilian-targeted bombing during the Spanish Civil War, which killed hundreds in the Basque town. Basques are also known through the political group ETA (Basque Homeland and Freedom) who spent decades fighting for rights after the Basque culture was suppressed in the 1940s and 1950s. So what does all this have to do with Boise? Well, in a word: sheep.
Basques traveled to the wide open high desert land in southeast Idaho and set up shop as sheepherders. They retained their unique culture and if you visit the Basque Block in downtown Boise, you can sample traditional food at one of the many restaurants, learn about the Basque culture at the museum and if you’re lucky, hear the smack of a ball as people play Pelota, a version of handball. If you are really lucky, you’ll be visiting the Basque Block during Jaialdi, a Basque festival that visits town every five years. This great big ol’ party brings tens of thousands of people together for food, dancing, and fun.
If you enjoy plays and musicals, but don’t like to be cooped up indoors, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival is for you. Between the foothills and the river is a state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater. Every summer, first-rate professionals perform a series of plays and musicals here. There is room for over 700 attendees in a few different seating options. I’ll be honest, I’ve only ever sat in the back of ampitheater on a blanket (the cheap seats). Trust me though, if this is slumming it, you won’t be doing that bad.
You can bring your own food and drink to the performance and it makes for a right nice little picnic to be up on the hill while the show is going on. Every year the Festival performs a variety of shows; there will be some Shakespeare mixed in with some modern playwrights. Don’t think the Shakespeare plays will be staid and uptight–the last one I saw threw in a Barbershop quartet number, just for good measure. Advice: these performances can be a little pricey, but before each play’s opening night there is a special performance that is discounted.
Boise isn’t the foodie capital of the Northwest. Not even close. However, you can get a very tasty meal from some unique restaurants in a terrific setting. 8th street is a quasi-pedestrian road running for two blocks in the heart of downtown. Most sides of the road for these two blocks are lined with a variety of restaurants and most all have outdoor seating. In good weather, you can’t beat eating your meal outside watching all of the passerby-s.
There are some staples on this road that have been around for a while (Bittercreek, Fork, Matador). However, there seems to be some turnover in restaurants with new ones coming in every year. Just today I walked down 8th Street and made a mental note that I need to try out a new place that recently opened. Most Saturday mornings and afternoons 8th Street shuts down as the Capitol City Public Market takes over and local farmers and artisans hawk their goods.
Full disclosure, I graduated from Boise State University and like most people in Idaho, I bleed blue. I have watched many a football games in the stadium with the blue turf. So much so that it is a natural color to me and I’m not sure why most other stadiums have green fields. Most people don’t feel this way, so seeing the field is a unique experience and an obvious choice on a list of the top 10 things to do in Boise, Idaho.
The blue turf was installed in 1986 and the university hasn’t looked back in 30 years. I’m not sure if other teams have trouble playing on a blue field or if Boise State has just been that good, but since 1999, Boise State has only lost at home six times. (That’s pretty dang impressive for you non-football oriented people out there.) If you go to a game, be prepared to join in as the crowd performs its signature response to the announcer’s comment: “And that’s another Bronco…..FIRST DOWN.” Trust me, with this team, you’ll hear that a lot.
For almost 90 years, the Egyptian Theatre has taken up prime real estate on the corner of Capitol and Main in downtown Boise. The theater was built in 1927 during the Art Deco period. It was inspired by Egypt as King Tut’s tomb had just being unearthed. It has gone through many iterations during its history. In 1999, the theater was remodeled to reflect its original look. The interior of the Egyptian stays true to its name and is covered with hieroglyphs and rich golds and reds. The designs are so cool you have to make sure you don’t get distracted and lose focus of whatever event you are attending.
Since 1999, most traditional seating theaters in town have closed or been demoted to play second run shows. The clever Egyptian has stayed relevant. Despite not having 3-D, IMAX or stadium seating it has found a niche and stuck with it. Nowadays, most performances at the Egyptian are concerts, specialty films or events, or–and these are a lot of fun–Boise Classic Movies. Where else can you watch one of the greatest movies of all time, Raiders of the Lost Ark, on the big screen again surrounded by multiple fans dressed up in their best Indy wear? Speaking of unique experiences at the Egyptian, the local Kiwanis group sponsors a fund raiser each year where silent films from Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy are accompanied by a talented organist. You can almost pretend you have been transported back to the Egyptian’s early days.
The Boise foothills are my number one favorite thing about my hometown. They are at the very top of my top ten list of things to do in Boise. The word ‘foothill’ is probably pretty subjective. In our context, it means the hills that emerge from the edge of downtown Boise (at about 2,700 feet) and rise to the tree line (somewhere around 5 or 6,000 feet). The foothills are chock full of trails for hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, and in some areas, dirtbiking. I’ve even seen some sheep up there, as they grazed the variety of grasses.
The foothills are an example that governmental agencies can work together. Several state and federal agencies combine to form the Ridges to Rivers Partnership. For most months out of the year (it can be pretty sparse during the winter), you will see many Boiseans in all degree of fitness enjoying the outdoors as they go up and down the well defined trails. During spring the hills turn bright green and are covered in wild flowers. The rest of the year they fade into the…well, brown, that is typical of a high desert.
It might not be the most obviously pretty area, but there is something beautiful in the starkness. All sorts of critters call this area home; I’ve seen birds of prey, owls, lizards, snakes, foxes and coyotes during my hikes and bikes. If you are in town on a Saturday, you should check out the Foothills Learning Center. See if they have any lectures going on to orient you to this incredible landscape.
Well those are the my top 10 things to do in Boise, Idaho, and why I choose to call this place home. B and I have seen a lot of places. However, I just haven’t come across a place that I enjoy quite as much. It was pretty hard to narrow this list down to just 10. I’m sure I missed some things that other Boiseans would be shocked I didn’t include. What about it, friends? What did I miss? If you live in a different town, I’d love to hear about what your top ten list. Chances are I’d want to come visit and see it for myself!
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In the Part 1 of this discussion on Alaska, we recommended some places to visit if you are fortunate enough to visit this beautiful state. This post will talk about some fun Alaska experiences and adventures to have. In no particular order, here are a …
During the summers before and after I went to grad school, I spent the four months working at a helicopter company located next to Denali National Park in Alaska. It was glorious. I love Alaska; next to Idaho it is probably my favorite state. In …
Taking the train across Canada was a dream come true for me. I do not remember when I first learned that it is possible to ride a train across Canada, but I was young and it remained a dream of mine for many years. After my good friend from college and main travel companion decided to get married and raise a family (good for her, not so good for me), I figured the timing was right for me to make that dream a reality. Taking this solo voyage taught me a lot, so I figured I would share my train travel tips for Canada in the hopes that you might learn something for your own trip across Canada via rail.
I had two weeks and very little experience with train travel. Luckily, VIA Rail Canada made planning easy. The hardest part was deciding where to go! After extensive research, I settled on the following itinerary:
My typical agenda included taking a short (less than one day) train ride to a city where I would stay and explore for a couple of days. The only multi-day train ride I took was from Toronto to Vancouver. Below are some train travel tips for Canada that are specific to my experience. Plenty of these apply to train travel in general, but you will find most only apply to an epic journey across Canada via rail.
Canada is huge. It is the world’s second largest country behind Russia. Granted, because something like 85 percent of Canadians live with 100 miles of the U.S. border, rail service is limited to certain areas. Regardless, unless you have a month or two, you are going to have to pick and choose where to visit. On my two-week voyage, I was able to cover a good portion of the populated areas of the country. However, in the interest of time, I had to make the tough choice to eliminate certain places (e.g. Nova Scotia) from my itinerary.
I began my voyage the last day of October. This is not the warmest time to visit Canada. But it did have the advantage of being smack dab in the middle of the railway’s summer and holiday seasons. I paid a lower fare for my train tickets, I sat on trains that were not remotely full, and I was often one of the few people wandering around places like the Butchard Gardens. I gained a lot by traveling in the off-season.
Originally, I planned to begin my trip on Canada’s west coast—probably because I live in the west. Then I read that if you are planning to ride the route between Vancouver and Toronto (known as the Canadian), it is more enjoyable to do so from east to west. You want to end with the Rocky Mountains. Not that there is anything wrong with the views of the Great Plains. But they get a little tedious since you spend the majority of the trip traveling across them. It really is best to go through them first and I am so glad I switched things up. Capping it off with the Canadians Rockies was the pièce de résistance. This is one of my top train travel tips for Canada!
Once you finally get to the mountains, you will want to keep your eyes open. If you are sleeper class (see Tip #5), then you will have access to the park car and observation deck. Make sure you arrive early and secure a seat. In addition to the gorgeous landscape, we saw a lot of wildlife including big horn sheep and mountain goats. My favorite part was watching those from other countries exclaim and comment on things we take for granted here in the west.
There is nothing I enjoy more than staring out a train window. It is my favorite way to pass the time. However, there are times when the train does not move. My train from New York City to Montreal was stopped at the border for three hours while they checked passports. In addition, freight trains in Canada have the right-of-way, so you spend some time stopped while they pass. Then there are the times when the sun has set but bedtime is still hours away. And my all-time, least favorite viewing experience: rain. Sometimes it rains so hard that you cannot see more than 20 feet out the train window.
Times like these are inevitable and you are going to get bored real fast. Luckily, with modern technology, it is easy to find something to occupy yourself. I managed to read half a dozen books and watch several movies during my time on the train—most of it while stopped on the tracks or while it was dark outside.
Of all the train travel tips for Canada, this is at the top (I should have made it number one). Most of my train tickets were the cheapest fare I could find. Of course, most legs of my journey were less than a day. Thankfully, I made the decision to purchase a “sleeper” for the four nights I traveled from Toronto to Vancouver.
Best. Decision. Ever.
The cost of a berth was more than I have ever spent on a train ticket before, but it was still a price I could afford. (Again, it helped that I traveled in the off-season.) When you take into account the food and lodging component, it is even easier to justify. At the time I booked it, I had no idea any sort of sleeper fare puts you in sleeper class, which is essentially first class. I just wanted to be able to lie down at night and take a shower. But the perks started from the moment I checked in and entered the sleeper class waiting room.
You may not want to show up at the station looking like an unwashed backpacker. That is what I did and after I was escorted to the “first class” waiting room, I felt a little out of place.
Once on board, they serve champagne and hors d’oeuvres in the park car. The park car is essentially a lounge in the back of the train and yes, with a sleeper fare you have access to it as well as the observation deck, which are both awesome. The best part of the experience however, may be the meals they serve in the dinner car. How they create such delicious meals in such a little kitchen in beyond me.
We left Toronto in the evening so it was not long before it was time for bed. There were six berths available, but only I and another woman booked one (score another point for traveling in the off-season). We had plenty of room to move and even after they turned down our beds (another great perk), we had the option to sit if we wanted to. Since there were just two of us, we were the only ones using the bathroom and shower. Another bonus: my companion did not ride all the way to Vancouver. She disembarked in Edmonton so for the rest of the trip, I had the entire berth area to myself.
You will not regret purchasing a sleeper. Look for deals online and if you have to delay your trip in order to save up, do it!
Several staff members told me that the berth is the most comfortable bed on the train due to the direction it rocks. I do not have anything to compare my experience to, but I can tell you that I slept great and I am not the kind of person who can sleep just anywhere. A berth is not as private as the other sleeper options, but that was okay with me. I much preferred getting a solid eight to nine hours of deep sleep every night.
I mentioned the food earlier. To reiterate, it was amazing. But amazing food combined with sedentary days does not do great things for your waistline. A nice couple from England who I met on the train told me that they try to lose a little weight before they embark on a big train trip because they know they are going to eat like kings. They have traveled on trains all over the world and experience has taught them this valuable lesson. Also, do not bother packing snacks. You will not need, want or eat them.
There are planned stops in which you can get off the train to take a breath of fresh air. Some are long enough that you can do a bit of exploring. However, there are plenty of times the train stops and you have no idea if you will be stopped for two minutes…or 20. Smokers will make friends with the staff who will let them know when they can get off for a quick cigarette. A staff member approaches them shortly before the train stops. If you keep your eye on them, you can follow them to an open door, step outside and breath in the fresh air…assuming you do not stand right next to the smokers themselves.
I would recommend working on your balance before a long train trip and yoga is one of the best ways to do so. Walking on a moving train is not the hardest thing I have ever done, but I am far from graceful. And showering is particularly challenging! Working on a balance pose or two before you go will go a long ways in helping you stay upright.
We harp on this a lot, but being prepared is one of the best ways to ensure you enjoy your vacation regardless of the weather. Being prepared is especially important if you are traveling in the off-season. I knew the temperatures would be on the chilly side in Canada during my time there, so I made sure to pack warm clothes and lots of layers (read our post about what to pack for cold climates).
I also read that rain is common in certain parts of Canada during the fall (I even saw a little snow). So I packed my rain boots. It did not rain on me continuously, but it rained enough that I was grateful for those rain boots. In Niagara Falls, the place I stayed had one other visitor: a gal from Finland. She was prepared for the cold but not for the rain. And she was miserable. She did not even bother leaving our accommodations because she did not have anything dry to wear. Poor thing.
Also, it is not particularly warm inside a train car so layers were critical to staying comfortable. I imagine that summer train travel is a whole other ballgame when it comes to the weather. However, the same principle still applies: be prepared.
Although you can spend the majority of time keeping to yourself if you would like, you are still going to have to interact with people during the meals at least. And if you want to enjoy the park car and observation deck, you are going to have to do even more interacting. I tend to be an introvert but still, I met some wonderful people on this trip. One of my best memories was the night a couple busted out a guitar and accordion and entertained the park car with pirate songs. Train travel brings together some of the most interesting people. But you will only figure that out if you make an effort to talk to the people around you.
Strictly speaking, this is not necessary. The majority of Canadians speak English and even in Quebec, all of the official signs and announcements will be in English as well as French. You will get around just fine. However, it is polite to offer a “bonjour” or “merci” and I found “Je ne parle pas français” (I do not speak French) to be very useful while visiting Quebec.
Well there you have it, some train travel tips for Canada. It is a wonderful and unique way to visit a country with such a diverse landscape. In fact, it is my favorite way to see Canada. I recommend you stop waiting and book a train ticket today!
The Pendleton Round-Up has been on my bucket list for years and I have finally checked it off! I am going to tell you all about it, but first, let’s talk for a minute about bucket lists. Now you may not be quite as obsessed …
As has been mentioned a time or two, I’m a bit of a fan of National Parks. Likewise, B and I are big fans of getting away for short weekend trips. These two likes came together last weekend when we ventured northwest to the North …
Last weekend I was feeling a bit nostalgic so I watched Roman Holiday on Netflix. In this movie, Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck spend a whirlwind day doing all the things Audrey wanted to do in the Eternal City. It made me think about my own whirlwind one day in Rome. I had joined my best bud and her family as they toured Europe and on a whim, a few of us decided to forgo one of our three days in Tuscany in exchange for a quick trip to Rome. Obviously, one day in this historic city is not enough. But like the Stones advise, when you can’t get what you want, you should get what you need.
We awoke at the break of dawn and hopped on a train heading south. The train ride was only two hours so when we arrived in the Rome transportation hub, it was still pretty early. We picked out five major destinations we wanted to see and hit the ground running. With just one day available, here’s where we went and what we saw.
Our first stop was the Vatican Museums. When we arrived, there was already a line but within 30 minutes we were able to get through security (remember, the Vatican is its own sovereign state). Everyone who visits the Vatican Museums should prepare themselves for what they are about to see. I was blown away by all the amazing art crammed into every nook and cranny. The Sistine Chapel is well known for art on the ceiling. But before you even get there, your neck will already hurt from looking up at the different paintings and frescoes on the ceilings all throughout the hallways.
When you get tired of looking up, look down because the floors are all intricate mosaics. Then there is the stuff on the actual walls–I was so excited to see many of the paintings I had learned about in humanities classes in college. The School of Athens in the Raphael Rooms was massive and might have been my favorite at the Museums.
After winding our way through 50 plus different rooms and hallways, we ended up in the Sistine Chapel and we got to take in Michelangelo’s little number (you may have heard of it?). The Sistine Chapel is big–it is a chapel after all–but I wasn’t expecting it to be so big and have so many other scenes to look at. The main wall has the Last Judgment painted on it, complete with scary scenes of hell and those iconic fingers touching. But beyond the main wall and the ceiling there are frescoes all on the walls. You are in the room with hundreds of other people of all different nationalities and languages, all taking in the famous art.
Advice: if you are into art history and plan on seeing the Sistine Chapel, you should read the Agony and the Ecstasy. It’s long but really good.
After exiting the Chapel, we made a short walk over to St. Peter’s Basilica. This building has been called the ‘greatest of all churches in Christendom.’ Not too shabby, right? Besides being important for religious reasons, let’s just get this out right now–this baby is huge. Like the biggest-church-ever huge. Like twice the size of the National Cathedral in D.C. It is shaped like a cross and has a huge dome that dominates the Roman skyline.
Work on the Basilica started in 1506 and names like Bernini and Michelangelo worked on the design and decoration of St. Peter’s. So it should come as no surprise that it is a work of art in itself, and is then decorated by more works of art, such as the Michelangelo sculpture, La Pieta. I am always amazed when I see sculptures and think of these life-like scenes were created from a chunk of rock. La Pieta is quite beautiful and depicts Mary holding Jesus’ body after he was crucified.
Seeing stuff like this makes you wish our Presidents and leaders would commission works of art the way the Popes did during the Renaissance. As we exited St. Peter’s onto St. Peter’s square where 80,000 people sometimes gather, I experienced one of those weird little travel moments that seem so improbable. There in front of me were some people I knew from back home. Even when you feel like you are thousands of miles from home, home can come to you. Maybe the world isn’t such a big place after all.
The next stop on our trek was the Roman Forum, culminating in the Colosseum. We learned a valuable lesson that jaywalking was unwise as we crossed several busy Roman streets. Unless you wanted to be hit by twenty or so angry scooter drivers. I would advise anyone crossing streets in Rome to only go when Italian-looking citizens (tight pants, lots of leather) do so. We survived though, as do the many structures that make up the Roman Forum. The Forum is a collection of the remnants of buildings, arches and statues, all left over from a few thousand years ago. As in thousands. How these people managed to build such large structures that have lasted so long is incredible.
The Colosseum looks just the way it is supposed to and after waiting in line for a while, we got to go wander around inside. There are three levels of arches that are built on top of each other into a large circle. The floor in the center is not solid; instead it looks a bit like a maze when viewed from above. There is a wooden bridge across the center (reconstructed) so you can get an idea of what it looked like when the floor was solid. The theory is that this floor was removable so if they were reenacting a water scene on that particular day, they could flood it and play real-life Battleship.
The Colosseum would have looked a lot different back in the day. In my mind, it is basically what a giant football stadium in present times would look like–except minus the plastic chairs and replay screens.
Trevi Fountain is located in the Trevi district of Rome. That seems like an easy enough destination, but alas…we got lost. We stumbled upon a fountain, and not remembering exactly what the fountain looked like, threw our euro coins in with a wish. We must have looked ridiculous and we certainly felt ridiculous when we eventually stumbled upon the actual Trevi Fountain.
There should be no mistaking this thing–it is the massive fountain on the side of a building that depicts Oceanus flanked by men and winged horses. Nothing like what we had found earlier. We threw more coins in, like so many others do. The coins are reportedly collected and buy food for needy Romans, so I was okay with buying another wish.
Advice: carry around a map or G.P.S. when exploring a new place. And not a lame one like you get at the hotel when you check in, which is what we were using.
The final must-see for our trip was the Pantheon. In 126. A.D. Hadrian completed the Pantheon, but for what purpose seems to be up for debate. After its first few hundred years it was dedicated as a church and has basically been that ever since. The building itself is circular with a massive dome and several columns at the front. The most impressive part of the Pantheon is its dome–it is the size of the one at St. Peter’s and has a big circle right in the middle.
The reason this is so impressive is because the engineers who came up with this did it using concrete–without any metal. Oh, and remember, they did this 2,000 years ago. I kind of get why these people took over much of the world with those kind of skills. Several tombs inside the Pantheon, most famously this is where Raphael was laid to rest.
After a very busy day, we headed back to the station to get on the train north. We were exhausted, but exhilarated by all we had been able to see and do in a mere one day in Rome.
At the end of Roman Holiday, Audrey and Gregory know that they shared a magical day in a magical city, but also that they would never again get to replicate it. As I think back on my own great day in Rome, it is also a little bittersweet because one of my dear friends is no longer with us. While that makes me sad, I am able to smile when I remember trekking all over this famous city. We’ll always have Rome!
I have no doubt that I will get to visit Rome again at some point. However, I will never regret squeezing one day in Rome into the trip to visit the five sites listed above. Have you been to Rome? What were your must sees?
I was lucky enough to experience a New Mexico weekend getaway and I highly recommend you plan one yourself. I feel New Mexico is a gem and one of our most underrated states. So I suggest you visit before the secret gets out. You do …