Linda Dares is an avid Rambler, newly retired mother and grandmother, and long-time Salt Spring Islander who has spent the last 35 years living in one of British Columbia’s most beautiful island communities. Born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, she has called many places home over the years — including Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia, the Yukon, California, and even Germany during her childhood on Air Force bases.
I’ve just returned home from a week in Rome, Italy, and I’ve been reflecting on all the experiences packed into those seven days.
My 18-year-old granddaughter was part of a girls’ soccer group from the U.S. that travelled to Rome to play against Italian teams. I happily volunteered to be her escort.
Before even checking in at our hotel, six of us hopped into a taxi for a hair-raising ride to a pizza and tiramisu cooking class in Piazza Navona. I still don’t know how Roman drivers manage to navigate safely through the sea of scooters, mopeds, and tiny cars.
Our class, run by Eat and Walk Italy, did not disappoint. After making our meal, we enjoyed it in a lovely courtyard, complete with complimentary wine and limoncello.
Since we were already in the heart of Rome, we decided to wander the surrounding area. The cobblestone streets, lined with brightly lit cafés, were a pleasure to stroll through. We visited the Neptune Fountain, St. Agnes Church, and the Trevi Fountain. Because it was Sunday and extremely crowded, we couldn’t get close enough to take a proper photo—until we discovered a secret: inside the United Colors of Benetton store, there’s a window with a perfect view of the fountain.
While the girls headed off to soccer practice, a few fellow travelers and I braved the Metro (similar to Vancouver’s SkyTrain) to get to our Vatican tour. Because it was early and during rush hour, it was frighteningly busy. It took two trains before we managed to safely squish ourselves onboard. I was very glad to have my cross-body purse tucked in close, especially after repeated announcements warning riders about pickpockets.
We met our guide—easily identifiable by the pole with coloured flags—and she led us to the Vatican in pouring rain. I was grateful to buy a five-euro umbrella from one of the many vendors circling the area. I don’t have words to fully capture the beauty of the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, and the three-hour tour was filled with history and awe-inspiring art.
This visit coincided with preparations for the 2025 Jubilee Year, marking the 25-year cycle of the Holy Door opening in the major basilicas. Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s on Christmas Eve 2024, beginning a year of pilgrimage and grace that continues until January 6, 2026. We saw many pilgrims and often needed to pause and wait patiently as groups passed by.
The Colosseum was another breathtaking adventure. Its enormity and structural design were a feast for the eyes. I learned that parts of the walls of St. Peter’s Basilica were built using stone taken from sections of the Colosseum that collapsed. Over centuries, people removed travertine and marble blocks from the Colosseum to build palaces, churches, and fortifications across Rome.
Our group also had a private tour of the Olympic Stadium. Since the girls were soccer players, we were able to visit the locker rooms for A.S. Roma and S.S. Lazio, and even sit in the team bench seats. A couple of days later, we attended a professional match between A.S. Roma and a team from Denmark. I don’t think any fans are louder than European football supporters—it was noisy, crowded, and absolutely thrilling. The Italian team won 2–1.
Another highlight was a golf cart tour that took us past the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Although we had visited some of these sites before, seeing them lit up at night was a completely different—and magical—experience.
The food was wonderful, and although I was tempted by all the desserts, I mostly limited myself to gelato and a cannoli. Of course, we had plenty of pizza. The displays of food and pastries were unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
We walked countless miles and relied on a mix of taxis, Ubers, buses, and the Metro to get around. There was even a one-day transit strike, but we still managed—just with a bit more effort.
The only mall I truly enjoyed was near the Spanish Steps. Via del Corso is a long central street lined with major chains like Sephora, Zara, Apple, H&M, and Shein. Via dei Condotti branches off from it and is known for high-end designer boutiques such as Gucci, Prada, and Fendi. I asked about the price of a purse in Fendi—it was 4,600 euros. The other malls we visited were a mix of American-style stores, food outlets, and Italian shops.
It was a wonderful week filled with soccer, sightseeing, food, walking, and exploring the city through its many modes of transportation. We made new friends and learned so much about Rome’s history. Most of all, I’m grateful for the chance to share this special experience with my granddaughter.
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