Making My Own Path in Italy

This past week of group travel through Italy has been a lot of fun. It has been exciting to learn new things and share amazing experiences with my peers. Often when you are traveling with a large group, however, your day is very structured and it can be difficult to do your own exploring. This is why I made sure to take advantage of the small moments of free time to discover some amazing sights on my own.

Our first free moment came on our second day in Rome. After being on our feet from 8 AM to 4 PM touring the ancient ruins and city streets, we had the rest of the day free. Although I was quite tired, I did not want to waste any time in the beautiful city so I continued walking, determined to find something interesting that evening.

Not long into my walk, I stumbled upon Italy’s Supreme Court building. It was so beautiful I thought it comparable to the Pantheon! While strolling along the Tiber River I discovered I was in front of an ancient castle. Upon closer inspection, I realized I was looking at the Castel Sant’Angelo, a fortress built in 123 AD that was converted into a castle. I decided to pay 10 euro to enter and explore the impressive monument. Once inside, I was in awe of the building’s structure and intricate decorations in each room. It had everything from a secret meeting room to a trap door that prevented enemies from entering the castle. The best part was when I reached the very top and was able to see Rome for miles. If you find yourself traveling in Rome, it is a stop you can’t miss during your stay. Standing at the top of the castle with a 360-degree view of the city was a priceless moment that I will never forget (pictured below).

Over the next few days of travel we had a few other opportunities to explore Italy on our own. I saw so many neat sights, from the remains of the Circus Maximus to the views at the top of a mountain in Cinque Terre. An early morning walk after a visit to the Vatican City led me across the oldest bridge in Rome, the Pons Fabricius (pictured below), built in 62 BC. 

Now that I have arrived in Florence, I can’t wait to explore this area full of culture and history. I’m excited to see what gems I can discover hidden within the city’s streets!

This post was written by Julia Stone, a sophomore studying Animal Science. After graduating she plans to study Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University.