Travelling The World, One Moment At A Time

In every city I have visited in my short time as a travel addict, I’ve noticed that I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy what can be defined as a ‘wow’ moment – a moment where it hits me that I’m travelling, visiting a new country and exploring its culture and history.

Thus far, I’ve found that almost anything can trigger that ‘wow’ moment. It could be the first time you hear someone conversing in the local language, your first sighting of a famous monument or it could even be something as commonplace as a street sign. Your ‘wow’ moment is exactly that – yours.

The best thing about a ‘wow’ moment when travelling, is that you never really know when it’s going to appear. You also never know who you’re going to share that moment with. There’s something inherently beautiful about sharing a moment in time with other like-minded, keen travellers from across the globe. An unparalleled joy in sharing your excitement and delight with someone – and that’s what happened to me while on Contiki in Rome.

Rome is a remarkable city. Oozing history, culture and life, the Italian capital is a thriving, bustling and interesting place. There are many must-see monuments and museums – but if you want the opportunity to see it all, head to the top of the Altare della Patria. Also known as the Victor Emmanuel Monument, it offers an unparalleled 360 degree sky view of the city that stole my heart.

Admittedly, this panoramic experience isn’t for those of you who dislike heights – but for those that don’t mind a little altitude, it is definitely a must visit location – and it’s not difficult to find, either! Situated in the heart of town, between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the attraction offers an unobstructed view of the many incredible highlights of Rome.

Arrive on the rooftop and look left to find a heart-stopping, uninterrupted view over the Pantheon to the imposing structure that is St. Peter’s Basilica. Turn around and walk a few steps to the other edge of the monument, and you are able to peer over the entirety of the Roman Forum and gaze upon the infamous Colosseum. Thousands of years of history, the home of dozens of priceless ancient artefacts – and for just 7 Euro, you can gaze upon it all from the skies. I did just that – in the company of new-found friends, basking in the Roman sunshine, I paused to reflect on the wondrous history of the world.

I encourage anyone visiting Rome to consider doing the same.

Perhaps you’ll have a ‘wow’ moment of your own.