Member-only story
Featured
TRAVEL MEMOIRS
Why I Won’t Go Back To Rome
And why Romans would probably thank me for that
Last Fall, I started thinking about bucket list trips. I’m not getting any younger, and I’m seeing minor blips in a formerly well-running system. I have a chronic leg injury that can make mobility a challenge on certain days. On top of that, the world is in a state where travel is becoming stickier, even amongst long-time allies.
I figured in the next five to seven years, I should focus on doing a few big trips that matter to me, the places I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get to see. That way, if a day comes when international travel isn’t a great idea for me anymore, I’ll have no regrets.
For my first of these trips, I pondered several spots, but Italy always held a huge lead. I’ve been fortunate enough to see a lot of Europe, but hadn’t yet gotten to the boot. As a solo traveler, I’ve felt intimidated to go somewhere I don’t speak the language. But Italy is a tourist mecca, so I knew they’d cater to North Americans. Plus, apps like Google Translate make that stuff less worrisome.
In real life, I’m not the kind to flock to hot, happening places. Toronto always has a cool new restaurant, but I don’t like waiting in lines and sitting elbow-to-elbow while I eat my overpriced deconstructed…
