Published on Dec, 2024
Hello anybody!
My name is Dustin and I came to Italy to visit my mother who relocated to the area over a year ago and while in Florence, I decided to jump on the train and check out Rome, to get a preliminary glimpse of some of the primary reasons this capital city is so notorious and to familiarize myself with the area enough so that in the future when I return, I will have a better idea of what to see in more detail and how to better make use of several days.
Since my time was limited to one day, I decided to book a 3 hour tour of the '10 wonders of Rome'. It turned out to be a better decision than I could have imagined. My guide was named Drita (beautiful name to go with a special human being) and she was early to the meet location as promised. She was immediately with a smile and after introductions, we proceeded across the street to a view of the 'Amphitheater' as we began the tour. Although I thought it would have been nice to have other people in the group, it turned out that due to various circumstances, there was only one person on the tour and that was me! It turned out to be a rare blessing, because I got the 'carte blanche' treatment, because Drita takes her work very professionally and I just happened to be able to bend her ear a bit more than would normally be possible.
That said, I didn't have to ask many questions as she was full on interesting details, facts, figures and intertwining knowledge that made the 3 hours feel like half that ... she was simply amazing. I can't say enough about how she opened my eyes to much of the general history of Rome, interesting facts about the evolution of each site and how I would have been walking around aimlessly without the expert guidance. Although just seeing the sites in Rome leaves almost anyone in awe, to be walked through the center of Rome in such an engaging and friendly manner, with someone who underlines the nuances, was really priceless. Drita is very knowledgeable. I loved the tour and it truly made my one day in Rome feel fruitious.
However, all good things must come to an end. After we parted ways though, she forwarded photos that she had taken for me and an exhaustive list of incredible eateries, coffee houses and other places to visit upon my eventual return ... which I think most would agree, upon relection, is worth as much as the tour cost in the beginning, which I think is more than reasonable to begin with, for what you recieve. I wanted to tip her more than the paltry 10 Euro I had in my passport wallet, so I hope that this absolutely spot-on review makes up for it. She is a wonderful person and that is where any good experience begins. The only recommendation I would have is that she begins to accept Paypal for a larger tip. Also ... be prepared to take notes if you want to remember a vast array of informative details, that only the genius mind can remember.
Anyone reading this can probably glean the botton line: Drita was as good as a tour guide can get, engaging, lite hearted and intelligent and not pretentious in any way. I highly recommend. When I come back to Rome, because of my good forturne on Nov. 30th, 2024, I will be able to experience the wonders of ancient Rome in a much more effective manner, preventing the things that really matter from slipping through our fingers. My experience was one of those lost in time, that will be missed. Thank you again Drita!