I'm going to Rome!!!!

I'm going to Rome! Last night we figured out that I could easily get from San Remo (where my host family is traveling Thursday-Sunday) to Rome in time for Easter Sunday so, in just about 3 weeks I will be celebrating Easter in Rome. I'll be there among a million other tourists but that's not the point. I'm going to Rome! :D

I'm very excited. It's not going to be a cheap trip, but I've already reserved my hostel room at a little hotel near the train station and I'll be staying in Rome April 3-8th! :) From there I will go to Perugia for a day I think and then from Perugia or nearby I will go to Florence to meet up with our dear friends Andrew & Nadia where they've graciously offered to let me stay. It's amazing. A once in a lifetime opportunity is coming my way - and I'm taking it!

I will travel with my host family to San Remo, then from there take a train Saturday to Rome. I'll be able to see the Vatican on Easter Sunday, probably get a glimpse of the pope too! Then I'll have Easter monday through thursday morning to see Rome. I'm overwhelmed with excitement. The next step is to purchase my train tickets - it's going to cost about $400 (USD) but that will be all of the travel within Italy and then home Sunday 11th of April from Florence to Geneva. I'm just so excited! The great news is that I found a hostel with room for my entire stay and it's owned by an American couple, so I know I'll be able to communicate. And the whole 5 night stay is only going to be about 135Euro which is cheaper than some hotels were charging for 1 night! Can you believe it? ROME for Easter Sunday!!! It's going to be spectacular, I plan to take 100s of photos and promise to journal and blog when I can (my hostel has free wifi).

I'm looking for any suggestions of where to go, places to visit, restaurants, shops, etc. Any and all advice is welcome. I will be traveling alone so I think the more pre-planning I can do the better. Also, if you know of a decently priced hotel or bed & breakfast in/around Perugia let me know. I might see about that one night being a treat for myself - who knows! All I can say is... OMG I can't believe this is happening. I hadn't planned on going to Rome but when it was suggested I try to make it there for Easter Sunday, a once in a lifetime opportunity I had to look into it.

Missing you all, hope I can share lots of Roman Holiday photos with you! :D