Europe Trip: Day 1: “All roads lead to Rome”

We landed in Rome at about 9.30 in the morning but unfortunately were at the Fiumicino Roma Airport till about 3 in the afternoon. That’s because our baggage didn’t quite reach with us. We had a stopover in the morning in Zurich for about half an hour and had to shift flights. That’s where Swiss Air was not able to move our baggage from the first flight to the next one.

Traveler Tip: Don’t take any connecting flights which don’t have a gap of atleast 2 hours between them. While you might have to while your time away at the intermediate airport, atleast you and your baggage will arrive together at the final airport.

There wasn’t much time left that day but enough daylight to go to the nearby Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). Standing at about 85 feet high and 65 feet wide, this is the largest and grandest fountain in Rome.

The fountain gained iconic popularity after featuring in a memorable scene in the 1960 film “La Dolce Vita” (Italian for “The Sweet Life”) by Federico Fellini. In the scene, Anita Ekberg glides into the fountain’s waters and beckons Marcello Mastroianni to join her.

But don’t you try it – I believe there is a fine of about Euro 500 if you try stepping into the water at the fountain. So we did what most tourists do, sat around the Fontana di Trevi, admired the exquisite sculptures and then threw the customary coin in the fountain while making a wish. It’s said that doing this brings you back to Rome. I’d love that – there goes my 10 cent coin!

We stopped for dinner at a local Italian café. Over spaghetti and pasta and wine, said cheers to our first night in Rome and a great trip ahead!