Gianna in Rome: Little moments that made me smile

When I planned my gap year in Italy, I knew my experience would be filled with big, life-altering moments, especially since I was coming to the big city of Rome. What I didn’t think about, however, was all of the sweet little moments in between that I’d be experiencing, too. In some ways, these moments add up to be just as, if not more, life-altering than the larger ones. So, here are four little moments in Rome that have made me smile so far!

A perfect caffè macchiato and cornetto 

Before coming to Rome, you could not convince me to even have a sip of coffee, and to be honest, it’s still not my favorite. However, one of my favorite rituals with some of my classmates is to walk over to the cafe next door for a little pick-me-up during our break. Sometimes, the worker adds a little foam heart to our macchiatos, and it makes my day every time. Not to mention, the cornetti there are incredible and make for a perfect morning snack.

A harpist playing on my evening walk

It is very easy to spot musicians playing instruments or singing along the streets of Rome; however, it is not often that you find a harpist. On one of my evening walks, I was passing by the Castel Sant’Angelo when I heard the faint plucking of strings from afar, and sure enough, there she was. I already find the harp to be one of the most beautiful-sounding instruments, but when combined with the surrounding Roman architecture, evening streetlights, and the nearby river, it made for a truly magical moment. 

Sunset from the top of Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II

This was one of those accidental moments that turned out to be one of the most memorable I’ve had so far. Spontaneously, some friends and I decided to check out the view from the top of Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele, and we could not have had better timing. The sun was hitting at just the right angle to give everything that perfect golden hour hue, and it just took my breath away. 

Walking through Giardino degli Aranci 

To say this garden is stunning doesn’t even begin to do it justice. While it can get busy with tourists, if you go at the right time, it is magnificent. I’ve developed a love for the tall umbrella pine trees of Rome, and this garden has a row of them that leads you to another gorgeous view of the city. My first time here, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the entire area was; there were places to sit and admire the views, orange trees everywhere, and those umbrella pine trees framing it all. Plus, a guitarist was playing some acoustic Italian classics, which added to the whole ambience. This garden has become one of my favorite spots in Rome, and I tend to come here whenever I’m in need of one of those sweet little moments.