If you don’t like attention, free drinks, or self esteem boosts, then I’ll save you the headaches and tell you right now: Stay home!

However, if you’re not shy of a little attention thrown your way, then grab your lipstick, hop on board, and I’ll tell you all about what to do on your girls’ trip to Rome!

Buy Some Leather

You can find some of the greatest leather products in Italy!  Rome is covered in tiny shops spilling with leather shoes, boots, bags, jackets and gloves.  We were even stopped in our tracks by the smell of leather as we strolled down the street and passed a man selling purses out of the back of a little truck.  It would have been rude not to stop and help the local economy.

Eat

Do not leave the country without eating yourself silly on carbs!  Diets go out the window when you’re in Italy.  Bring your stretchy pants and saddle up to a giant bowl of fresh pasta like you’ve never tasted before.Drink

We were lucky enough to hit some great restaurants on our trip and as soon as our bottoms hit the chairs our waiters seemed to magically appear with prosecco to get us started. After enjoying wine with our dinner we’d find our waiter friends would reappear with lemonchello to finish our meal.  With this kind of service we were well on our way to a good time after each meal!

Take selfies with amazing backdrops

Do it!  Even if you’re not a selfie kinda gal.  Because it’s not everyday that you can snap a photo like this.

Put on Your Flats or Wedges and Stroll the Cobblestone

I love the streets of Rome.  They’re romantic, beautiful, quaint and charming.  On my first trip to Italy I fell in love with this country just by wandering the narrow cobblestone streets.  It’s one of my favourite places in the world to be.

Take a Cooking Class

You might be thinking, I have to cook everyday.  Why would I want to cook on vacation?  But Cooking Classes in Rome was a really informative way of learning about authentic Italian food and how to make it at home.  I suggest taking a class early on in your trip as it will help you know what to order in Rome and what to save for a different regions of Italy.  If you’re not sold on the idea yet, I should tell you that when you’re done cooking, you’ll feast on the fruits of your labour and enjoy four glasses of wine; one paired with each course of your culinary masterpiece. Salute!

Play With the Fountains

If you saw Julia Roberts do it in Eat, Pray, Love, you’ll have a hard time stopping yourself from giving it a try.  It’s as fun as she made it look.  Go ahead and drink the water; it’s all good.

Drool in Shop Windows

Speaking of Julia Roberts, you might feel like you’re in the middle of a Pretty Woman shopping experience as you crank your head to check out all the window displays of the high end shops that line the streets as you make your way to the Spanish Steps.

Soak Up The Attention

Enjoy every smile, head turn and “Ciao Bella” that comes your way ladies, because let me tell you; when I go to Italy with my husband and two kids you could hear a penny drop on the cobblestone as we pass by cafes.  There’s not a ‘ciao bella’ heard for miles.  No one is head turning when you’ve got a baby strapped to your chest and another being pushed in a stroller in front of you.  Don’t be offended when you get some attention thrown in your direction girls.  It’s the Italian way.  So embrace it, throw a smile back, and store that little bit of flattery for when you’re back home in your messy ponytail and yoga pants, folding laundry.

Eat some More

I need to stress the eating thing.  It was worth the trip just to enjoy the taste-bud explosions!  Italy is one country where I can say that if you saw nothing, and just stayed in and ate the whole time; you wouldn’t feel like you were missing out.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled a good portion of the globe and I always come back to Italy.  It’s my favourite country in the world.  I love the food, the people, and the passion they have in everything they do.  Being in Italy makes me happy.  Possibly because for once I’m not the only one being loud and waiving my hands in the air after a couple glasses of wine.  Gotta love those Italians.
Until next time Roma!
Ciao!