This time last year, I went to Rome on holiday with a friend. It was sunny, peaceful, epic & oh so hot.
One of the places we went was the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Or as the Romans apparently call it, The Wedding Cake.
I'm usually a history buff. When I travel, I'm the one dragging everyone through museums, reading plaques, spouting off facts from the guide books I've been reading.
Rome is a history lovers dream. But when I was there on holiday, instead of studying the history, I did something unusual.
I relaxed.
I'm sure the Victor Emmanuel Monument has a fascinating history. Maybe someday I'll get to go back & soak it up.
But on this trip? We wandered up to the cafe on the roof, which has a view of the Colosseum & big fans that spray a cool mist.
We sat in the cafe in the baking hot sun, & ordered coffee. Illy coffee. Life-changing coffee. Italian coffee.
I went on to drink lots of coffee in my week in Rome, but the cafe at the Victor Emmanuel Monument is where I had my first sip of epic Italian coffee. Let's just say, it ruined me for all normal coffee forever.
So if you get the chance to go to Rome someday, please do me a favour. Pause in your enjoyment of Ancient Roman ruins. Go to the roof of the Victor Emmanuel Monument, look out at the Colosseum, & enjoy a cup of Italian coffee for me. Your caffeinated life will never be the same.