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I was born and raised in Louisville the majority of my life, and I had no clue that we have a waterfall known as “The Niagara of the South.” Nor did I know how easily accessible it is. It is an easy drive from Louisville, around two and a half hours depending on the driver. It may or may not have been a little quicker in my case. 😉 I used the GPS app Waze on my phone to guide me, but once you have been there, it is very easy to find.
I will say that I was a little nervous traveling to a part of Kentucky that I have never been to. I know this may sound ridiculous to some people, especially those from around here, but going to the country is intimidating to me. I’m always worried about having car problems, running out of gas, or not having a cell phone signal and being stuck in the middle of nowhere. It’s not fear, but those thoughts do pop up when I’m planning on going somewhere that I haven’t been. Luckily, after arriving in Corbin, Kentucky, the location of the falls, I realized that there were gas stations, restaurants, and I wasn’t in the “middle of nowhere Kentucky.”
Before leaving my friend and I decided that we would stay the night in Corbin and that way we could have two full days to explore. We chose to stay in the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, which I found on booking.com. The Cumberland Falls State Resort is quaint and has country charm, but if I were to go back, I would probably stay somewhere else. The convenience factor of the State Resort Park is that it is a 2-minute drive from the actual falls. If you want to catch a glimpse of this natural beauty in the morning, afternoon, and evening, it is incredibly convenient. The reason why I probably opt out of staying there in the future is that the rooms are very outdated. It was like traveling back in time with a very sixties feel. Considering the facilities, I feel as though it is overpriced, but it is a State Resort Park, so you help maintain the Park while taking advantage of the location.
Once we arrived, we decided to check off our main object, the falls. Cumberland Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls I have ever been to, besides Niagara Falls. Anyone can access the different viewpoints except for one which is not wheelchair accessible, but the rest are wheelchair and stroller accessible. I saw every age group while I was there, young children, their parents and grandparents, and then people like us, young travelers. The actual falls are immense and impressive. Kentucky is currently experiencing an awful drought, so I can only imagine what they look like when it rains. Although they weren’t as grand as what they are typically supposed to be, I was still surprised by the size of the falls. Drought or not, they are a sight to be admired.
After taking our pictures of the falls and seeing a rainbow over it for a few minutes, 😉 we headed to the gift shop to see if they had any maps or suggestions for what to do in the area. The workers at the gift shop provided us a map of the falls, and surrounding hiking trails and they suggested that we explore the Eagle Falls trail. we decided to head to the recommended trail, Eagle Falls. We drove from the visitor’s center to the beginning of the trail. If you leave the parking lot and take a right, cross the bridge, you will see a small parking area on both sides of the road. The one to your right is the trailhead for Eagle Falls.
The trail is marked throughout the entire path. The trail is an easy walk but can be challenging at times, considering there is a lot of going up and downstairs. I’m not a professional hiker, I enjoy hiking for fun, and I found the trail to be easy. The trail leads down to the banks of the river and wind around to a waterfall that has plenty of boulders around to it lay down and relax. The entire time huge trees and boulders surround you. I went on September 16th, 2019, and was surprised to see that the majority of the leaves haven’t changed colors yet, but there were a lot of leaves falling while we were there. The entire loop is 1.8 miles, according to the app AllTrails. My phone said that it was 2 miles back and forth.
We came across other people while on the trail, and there were several locals who gave us tips on other places to check out in the area. One of the places that were mentioned several times is a trail called Dog Slaughter Falls. The name is totally awful, and the reason for the name is even worse (you can just imagine based on the title alone), so I’m not going to get into that, but it was a name that we heard repeated several times. We decided that we would check out Dog Slaughter Falls the following day and that since we completed the Eagle Falls Trail pretty quickly, we would head back to the tourist information center and choose another trail.
We chose to check out the #2 Trail. It is approximately 5 miles, and it follows the shoreline throughout parts of the trail. It was more difficult than Eagle Falls, and at times it was confusing. Several paths intertwine with each other, so we found ourselves on other trails at some points. Apart from the track not being as clearly marked, some parts were more complicated due to the terrain and them being downhill. We were able to manage, but I wouldn’t recommend this trail to someone inexperienced.
My worst nightmare also almost became a reality while on this trail. I almost stepped on a snake. As we were walking and taking in the views, I looked down and thought what I saw was a stick but quickly realized that it had a head. Luckily, I stepped back and allowed the snake to continue on its merry way while I stood a few feet away, trembling in fear. I love mother nature and respect all of its creatures, but I have a horrible fear of snakes. I know it is irrational, but I’ve been afraid of them since I was a child. It doesn’t help that my stepdad used one to scare me while I was young. (Inserts childhood emotional trauma here, lol.) Thankfully both the snake and I were able to continue on our peaceful ways without any issues.
Since it was getting later in the day and I had a mini heart attack from my snake encounter, I figured it was the time that we called it a day and looked for something to eat. As I said, I was shocked that there were various restaurant options in Corbin because quite honestly, I had never really heard of Corbin before. It was Mexico’s independence day on that day, so my friend and I decided to check out a local Mexican restaurant called Santa Fe. To our surprise, the food was delicious, and the portions were huge. Neither of us was able to finish our entire meal.
We also met one of the owners while we were there who is a Cuban immigrant and has been living there for twenty-three years. Admittedly, it’s an odd place for someone from Havana to end up, but he told us that he loves the area and that the locals treat everyone as if they are family. As I mentioned earlier, I am very wary of traveling in the country, and part of it is because people in small towns are not always accepting, and they become very suspicious of outsiders. His comments took some of my initial worries about locals away. I even met another patron who told me about the app AllTrails that has maps and guides to trails that are nearby. I downloaded it and used it the following day when we went to Dog Slaughter Falls. She also gave us a lot of information about what to do in Corbin and nearby. Moral of this part of the story, never judge a book or a place by it’s cover. 😉
One of the places that they mentioned to us while we were at the restaurant was Sanders Cafe or otherwise known as the original KFC. I know in my previous post I slammed KFC a little bit, but I do have to recognize and be grateful that Kentucky Fried Chicken has put Kentucky on the map internationally. If it wasn’t for Colonel Sanders, I’d probably have to carry a map of the U.S.A. with me everywhere I go so I could point out where I’m from. My friend and I decided that when in Corbin, we might as well see the birthplace of the fried chicken that we dislike so much. The Sanders Cafe is the original KFC, and it has been converted into a museum and restaurant. The left side of the restaurant is a functioning KFC, and the rest is filled with memorabilia from the original design, including the Colonel’s office, the original kitchen, and bathrooms. It was a nice stop and probably something I would have never done if someone didn’t suggest it. My mom dislikes KFC just as much as I do so I decided to buy her a souvenir as a joke. I’ll include it in the photos.
After touring the original KFC, my friend and I decided that we would head back to the falls and try our luck to see if we see a natural phenomenon called a “Moonbow.” Once a month, when there is a full moon, a “moonbow” can be seen across the falls. The moonbow looks like a rainbow, only that it is white, and it only occurs during the full moon. The Cumberland Falls website has a schedule to which dates each month it can be seen. We stood outside for hours in the night sky at an attempt to catch a glimpse of the moonbow but to no avail. Even though we were disappointed that we didn’t get to see the moonbow, it was pretty cool to see the falls at night and hear the crashing of the water. Once we decided that we had waited enough, we headed back to the lodge and got some rest for the following day.
Once we were able to get up and enjoy a quick breakfast, we checked out the app that was recommended to us and saw that Dog Slaughter Falls was one of the top recommended trails in the area. Although I am not a fan of the name, at all, we decided to check it out. If you plan to go, I suggest downloading the app as well. It gave us driving directions to find the trail, which was difficult because it is not marked. Once we arrived, the app also allowed us to download a map of the trail on our phones which was awesome because I had no cell phone signal. (Thanks, T-Mobile.) Once we located the trailhead, we were on our way.
Dog Slaughter Falls is an easy trail considering there isn’t much change in altitude, and there are signs everywhere that indicate which way to go. The sign at the beginning says that it is only 1 mile, but we found out that it is 2 miles to get there and 2 miles back, making it a total of 4 miles. The trail is easy, but it does get a little complicated towards the end when you arrive at the falls. There is a downhill pitch that requires precaution, but besides that, the trail is overall easy. While you walk towards the waterfall, you are accompanied by a stream and shade provided by the many trees in the area. There are lots of stunning views along the trail and plenty of opportunities to take photographs. Kentucky’s woods/nature provides stunning views that most people (including myself) would never imagine. Once we arrived at the waterfall, we spent around an hour or so hanging out, taking photos and enjoying the fresh air. The scenery is breathtaking and relaxing and allows you to feel one with nature. Once we got enough dose of nature, we decided to go ahead and head back home to Louisville.
The trip overall was inexpensive, fun, and exciting. I highly recommend making the trip to Cumberland Falls and checking out the surrounding hiking trails. I know that I will be returning to check out other trails. Some of the tips that I would give anyone planning to go would be to take plenty of water, (make sure you have a reusable bottle), sunscreen depending on what time of year it is, bug spray (Kentucky is mosquito heaven during the summer), and the weirdest but probably most important thing to take would be bear spray. There are black bears in this region of Kentucky and the best way to protect yourself from a black bear attack, (besides walking slowly backward and making lots of noise), is to use bear spray.
Here is a list of the trip expenses for anyone interested in how much a trip to Corbin and Cumberland Falls costs.
Gas- I used a full tank of gas which cost me $40. Gas was $2.55 at the time, and I have a 16 gallon tank. Food- Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant- $36 for dinner for two. (I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys TexMex.) Park Entrance- $0.00. That’s right. Free.99. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park- One night stay cost a total of $105.00. Found on www.booking.com. Souvenirs (optional)- $5.99 for a coffee mug from KFC and $18.99 for a T-Shirt from the Falls Gift Shop. Spending time in nature = Priceless.
Helpful apps while used on the trip: Waze (GPS) and AllTrails (Hiking App)
I’ve also created a video recap of my hikes on YouTube which can be found by clicking below.
As most of you know or have figured out by reading my about me page, I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky. When I travel, and someone asks, “Where are you from?” I immediately say, “Kentucky” to which their immediate response is “KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN!” (Cue hard eye roll) Yes, we are known for chicken, but Kentucky is more than a bucket of chicken thighs slathered in lard and dropped into a deep fryer. No offense to KFC or the Colonel, but we are a state that offers so much more. Plus, have people not heard of bourbon or the Kentucky Derby? Booze and gambling. How are these not popular? What I’ve come to learn from my extensive travels is that people, including people from the U.S., don’t know much about Kentucky and I want that to change.
When I moved back home one of the things that I quickly realized is that I (like many others) have traveled to tons of other states in the U.S. and I’ve even traveled to other countries more than I’ve traveled around Kentucky. I know that the idea of seeing different places more than your own state sounds absurd, but it’s true. I’m guilty of thinking that nothing is exciting or fun to do in Kentucky because a) I’m from here and b) you don’t hear people talk about exciting places to check out. Once I realized that I don’t know many areas in my state besides Louisville (my hometown, GO CARDS!), the immediate surrounding counties, Frankfort (the capital) and Lexington (horse country). Then it dawned on me that there is so much that I’ve never seen.
Therefore, I have decided to dedicate a section of my blog to my home state. I want to show the world the adventures that anyone can experience here. Sometimes we dream so much about foreign lands and unique cultures that we forget to explore our own backyard, so that is my plan. I plan to travel to a new place around Kentucky as frequently as possible. I will post information on how to get there, what it’s like, how much the trip cost and my recommendations on if it’s worth the trip or not. A lot of the places that I go to will probably involve nature because Kentucky is a great state for outdoor exploring such as hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Besides nature, I’ll include posts about things to do in Louisville as well, because who better to tell you about the hot spots than a local. Louisville is also one of the top food cities in the U.S. right now, so any excuse to try a new restaurant is good enough for me. 😉
There are a lot of things that this state has to be proud of, and if more people knew about what they can experience while they are here, then we would probably be a tourism hotspot like Colorado. Hey, a girl can dream! In all seriousness, I hope to do this state justice and show others like me that there isn’t a need to forget about your own state when deciding where to travel. I hope that this section helps show not only locals but other people around the world that Kentucky has more to offer than a bucket of (awful) fried chicken. (No offense KFC, but locals do not like your fried chicken. It’s a fact.)
Santorini is a Greek island made of dreams and technically speaking volcanic rock. It is a top honeymoon/wedding destination and to be quite honest; I can’t blame anyone for having their special day on the island. Santorini is incredibly picturesque. But for those of us who are not planning on a wedding or honeymoon anytime soon, Santorini is also a great European destination that allows you to take in spectacular sunsets, soak up the rays on their many beaches, ride a donkey (if you dare), eat amazing Mediterranean food and get sick off the Greek version of moonshine, ouzo. This Greek island is small enough that you can get from one side to the other but large enough to keep you from feeling cramped. I’ve visited Santorini 4 times, twice by myself and twice with friends, and I could probably visit 40 more without ever getting bored. I’ve come up with what I feel is the perfect way to spend a day in Santorini if you are looking to visit the island, but you are doing island hopping of other Greek islands or if it’s merely a layover. I’ve got you covered.
As I mentioned before, Santorini is a small enough island that you can get from one side of the island to the other in an hour via car, but my favorite mode of island transportation is an ATV. I grew up riding ATVs because my stepdad thought it was a great idea to teach a four-year-old how to drive not only ATVs but dirt bikes as well. I know, I’m lucky to be alive, BUT his crazy idea ended up working for me later in life when I found myself at a rental car places in Fira, Santorini trying to decide if I wanted a car or an ATV. I went for the ATV and was happy that I did. Finding parking on the island can be difficult, and when you see the number of motorbikes and ATVs around the island, it makes you want to join in on the fun. After signing the standard rental paperwork, I was on my way.
The itinerary that I planned was to see the three different types of beaches on the island in one day. Santorini has a red sand beach, white sand beach, and a black sand beach. After checking out the map, I realized that the white beach is the further from Fira where I was staying so I decided to head there first. I also noticed that there is a lighthouse near that side of the island, so I decided to head to the south end of the island early and explore and then make my way back while making stops to the red beach and black beach.
I arrived at the lighthouse within 40 minutes and began to look around. Once I arrived, I noticed that there isn’t much to see besides the lighthouse building and a cliff below it that makes for some lovely photos. If you’ve never seen a lighthouse before then definitely check it out but if you’ve seen a lighthouse, then you can probably skip it and head straight to the beach. I hopped back on the ATV and headed straight for white beach. It was easily accessible, and there were people renting lounge chairs. I found a sweet spot on the beach and was able to catch some rays for about an hour before I decided that it was time to head to the red beach and check it out.
The red sand beach doesn’t seem like much when you first arrive at the parking lot. There are a few small food vendors and some artists selling jewelry near the parking lot and when you look around the “beach” looks underwhelming until you realize that the actual red sand beach is a small hike away. I would suggest bringing tennis shoes along because the walk can be a little rough, especially for someone in flip flops (thongs) like I was. Once you begin your hike you start to notice the landscape change and the dirt becomes red, hint the name. As you come to the final, descend to the beach to see a huge cliff that looks like it has been carved out. The beach is directly in front of the cliff, and the view is simply amazing. I had never seen a red beach before, and since it was my first time, I was beyond impressed. I decided that I would take some time to swim and lay on the beach while I was there. The atmosphere is pleasant, and there isn’t anyone trying to bother you while you are on the beach relaxing. I spent a few hours on the red sand beach, relaxing, swimming, and just taking it all on. After a while, I started to get hungry and decided it was probably best to go ahead and head to the black beach Perissa to check it out and grab a bite to eat. I hopped back onto the ATV, and about 20 minutes later, I arrived at Perissa.
Perissa has a very resort-type feel to it in the fact that there are lounge chairs everywhere and there are plenty of restaurants lined up one after another. I decided to grab a quick bite to eat that I could take with me on the beach. I later found out that you can order food on the beach if you decide to rent a lounge chair. Renting a chair isn’t overpriced seeing how it was 5 euros the last time I was there, but since I was by myself, I decided to just lay my towel down in an area that I liked.
Now it was time to take a dip in this famous black beach. One thing that I didn’t realize was that the sand was going to be extremely hot because it’s black and it holds in heat, so obviously it was going to be extremely hot. Guess who forgot that tiny bit? I did, of course. As soon as I felt the hot sand burning the bottoms of my feet, I ran directly for the water. The water was cold and refreshing, and I was happy about it, considering that my feet felt like I ran across hot coals for an hour. After spending some time cooling down in the water, I decided that I had enough of the beach for the day. I wanted to check out another side of the island before heading to the very northern tip of the city Oia for sunset. I then made the mad dash back to my towel to gather my things and head out to my next destination and also where I was staying, Fira.
The Fira Port is known for three things; it is where you can catch the boat to go to the active volcano of Nea Kameni, take the cable car to get to the port, and last, but not least, donkey rides. That’s right; you understood correctly — donkey rides.
Since it was my first time in Santorini and I had no clue about donkey rides, I decided that I would take the cable car down and ride a donkey up the mountain. Today, I can 100% say that I would never do this option again. One reason is that I’m pretty sure someone gave my donkey a Redbull as it decided to shoot up the mountain at an insanely fast pace. I was holding on for dear life as I thought I was going to fall off at any given moment. It was the scariest animal ride of my life and one of the reasons why I am glad that I will never do it again.
The other and MOST crucial reason being that after educating myself and finding out that the donkeys in Santorini suffer from spinal injuries and sores caused by the saddles, I can say that I will never do it again. I love animals, and I would never want to harm one just because I was too lazy to walk up steep steps or because I didn’t want to ride in a cable car. I understand that there are people who cannot climb the steps and that it is more convenient for them to take a donkey, but if you are physically able to choose another option, please do so. While I don’t suggest riding a donkey, I do suggest petting one if you have the chance. They are adorable, and if you enjoy photography, you can get some beautiful shots of them walking up the hill.
One I was finished being an irresponsible twenty-something-year-old, I decided to head to Oia. Oia is at the top of the island. It is the location of the sunsets that are posted all over the internet, and it is the first thing that pops up when you google search Santorini. Every evening hundreds, upon hundreds of people (tourists), head to Oia to take in one of the best island sunsets that you can experience. I suggest googling the time of the sunset for that day and getting there several hours before. Finding a place to park on that side of the island before sunset is incredibly tricky, and having an ATV comes in handy. There are plenty of places to stand to watch the sunset but just as the parking lots get full quickly, so do the public areas to stand. Get there early and enjoy a walk around Oia since there are heaps of lovely shops that sell anything from paintings to jewlery to clothing. There are also lots of cute hotels and resorts on the walk to the end where the sunset occurs. A lot of the more expensive hotels are on this side of the island, and you can see how some rooms have private pools that light up at night. If you’re like me and you can’t afford that life, but you like to plan ahead for when you will be able to, take a while to write down some of the names of the places you wish to stay in for future trips. I mean, a girl can dream, right?
After you fantasize about spending a week in one of the plush hotels with your model boy toy, (I can’t be the only one who does this.) make sure to find a spot to stand to watch the sunset and get ALL of the pictures possible to send back home to mom and dad, just kidding. Take as many photos as possible because one, it’s a gorgeous sunset and two, social media. If you do decide to put the camera down and take a look around, you will notice that everyone around is either taking videos or pictures with their phones, gopros, or cameras. The sunset in Santorini is truly a spectacle, and although it doesn’t last long, it capture’s the audience. Once the sun actually sets, the crowd begins to cheer and clap, and then they start to make the mad dash to leave Oía. If you are impatient and hate slow walkers, I suggest staying behind a while longer and getting a nice glass of wine or a cold beer to pass the time. A lot of the shops stay open so if you didn’t have an opportunity to check them out before, now is a good time to do so. I had to get the ATV back to Fira in 28 minutes after the sunset, so I was one of the crazy people who made the mad dash to her ATV. Note to self and reader: Ask to return the ATV at 10:00 p.m. if you are staying in Fira. I luckily got it back in time but not without driving incredibly fast through dangerous curves. Sorry, mom!
At this point, most people would call it a night and head home or get back on their cruise ship, but since I was staying in Fira and it is very lively at night, I decided to grab a gyro to go and walk around the city while I enjoyed some people watching before headed back to my hotel. I could have easily gone out seeing how Fira is where the nightlife scene is in Santorini. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to check out if you want to explore the late-night scene. I suggest Two Brothers Bar if you are staying on the island and looking for a wild night out. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you. Seeing how I had a pretty packed day and was tired from soaking up so much sun, I skipped the bars for that night.
This was how I spent an entire day on the island and got to know the major tourist spots. There are plenty of other things to do while on the island such as checking out one of the wineries, taking a tour to the active volcano and hot springs, or visiting the prehistoric ruins at Akrotiri. If you are short on time or you are like me and try to see as much as possible in a day, then this itinerary is perfect for you. It can also give you an idea of what to do while the island and how to spread it out over your stay. Santorini is a gorgeous island and for those who have always wanted to go but they aren’t sure, I recommend that you take the trip!
Here are a few photos from my last visit to Santorini where I rented an ATV, again, and explored the island some more.
My second favorite European city is Rome, and to be honest, I constantly battle back and forth between Barcelona and Rome for my choice. Rome is a city that is designed for all age groups to enjoy. If you enjoy history like me, then you know that this is a historical buff’s version of Heaven on Earth. If you are not into history, but you want a city that is walkable and has beautiful views, then look no further. There are a ton of monuments, sites, and restaurants to visit while in Rome, and this list could be endless, but I have narrowed it down to my top 5.
1.The Colosseum
I would be lying if I said that the Colosseum isn’t number one. It’s one of the seven wonders of the world and a clear choice for the number one spot. If you want to beat the crowds, then I suggest getting there early in the morning and purchasing your tickets online ahead of time. If you choose to wait until you get there because you don’t want to be on a set schedule, then be prepared to wait in a long queue for hours. It is a famous culture/historical monument so the line wrapping around it is expected and I promise that it is worth the wait! What makes the Colosseum so unique besides being a wonder of the world? It is an amphitheater where Roman gladiators fought to the death in front of thousands of spectators. It is the historical version of MMA but far more blood, violence, and even animals. If blood, guts, and glory aren’t your thing, then you might enjoy knowing that it was also used as a theatre. The Colosseum hasn’t only been a battleground but over the year’s different emperors and rulers of Rome have used it as a cemetery, workshop and housing quarters. The Colosseum is rich in history, and visiting it makes you admire the engineering that went into such an enormous monument. If all of the reasons mentioned above on why you should visit bore you, then may I add that it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Also, it makes for great instagrammable photos.I would be lying if I said that the Colosseum isn’t number one. It’s one of the seven wonders of the world and a clear choice for the number one spot. If you want to beat the crowds, then I suggest getting there early in the morning and purchasing your tickets online ahead of time.
Purchase your Colosseum tickets below. I recommend getting the package that includes the Forum and Palatine Hill. Don’t forget to buy them before your trip! It will save you hours of wait time and you will thank me later.
Vatican City technically isn’t in Rome because it is a country of its own. And no, I’m not joking. The Vatican is a country of its own. The Pope and everyone who resides in Vatican City has an official Vatican passport. Vatican City is an enclave of Rome, and it is easily accessible. The last time I was in Rome, where I stayed was an easy ten-minute walk from Vatican City. Some people may be hesitant to visit Vatican City because they aren’t Catholic or religious. The truth is that many visitors don’t go for religious reasons, they go for the art. The Vatican is a living, breathing, art museum. Many of the world’s best paintings, sculptures, and books find a residence in the Vatican. It is no secret that the Catholic Church has been an art hoarder for thousands of years. One of the world’s most famous fresco paintings is inside the Sistine Chapel; Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam. You don’t have to be religious or even know much about art to enjoy the beauty of Michaelangelo’s paintings. You aren’t allowed to take photos inside of the Sistine Chapel, and there are guards around the entire room looking for anyone trying to sneak a selfie while inside. Instead of trying to get a sneaky photo, I suggest taking a moment to take in the art and awe in its beauty.
It is considered to be one of the most famous fountains in the world, and it has been featured in many films. It is just as magnificent in person as it is in photos. The fountain draws a big crowd daily. The best times to visit are early in the morning around 6:00-7:00 a.m. or late in the evening around 9:00 p.m. I suggest seeing it both during the day and at night. Rome is a city that is just as gorgeous at night as it is during the day, and the Fontana di Trevi is no exception. A favorite memory of mine at Fontana di Trevi is when my sister, a friend and I enjoyed a bottle of wine one night while sitting on the steps surrounding it. Don’t forget to toss a coin over your shoulder and into the fountain. Legend has it that if you toss a coin into Fontana di Trevi, then you will return to Rome one day. Besides being used to make wishes come true, the coins are collected at the end of each day and are used for charity to help the needy in Rome. Not only are you making a wish, but you are also helping someone else at the same time.
There are no tickets required to visit the Fontana di Trevi and it is free to see since it is in an open public space.
4. Foro Romano (Roman Forum)
A quick walk from the Colosseo will bring you to my next choice, the Roman Forum. It is an archeological site that consists of ruins and fragments of Roman history. It was a marketplace and the epicenter of many of Rome’s government buildings. The most famous Roman, Julius Caeser, was cremated there. It may not look like much in photos, but there are thousands of years’ worth of history right below your feet. When buying your Coliseum ticket, you can include the Roman Forum entrance as well, which makes it a more convenient option.
The famous staircase that leads from Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Square) to Trinità dei Monti, the French church at the top. The stairs were commissioned by the French to connect the church to the Spanish Square. Today they are used as a gathering place for hundreds of Romans and tourists each day. At the bottom of the steps, you can find the fountain Fontana Della Barcaccia (Fountain of the longboat) which is another stunning fountain amongst many in Rome. I suggest hanging out on the steps and soaking in the busy world around you. You can do tons of people watching, or you can just admire the beauty. There are tons of small shops around the piazza below so if you are in the mood for gelato (who isn’t?) or want to check out some local artists, then take a stroll around.
There are no tickets required to visit the Spanish Steps and it is free to see since it is in an open public space.
The Spanish Steps in the background.
As I mentioned before, Rome is a stunning city. It is just as beautiful at night as it is during the day. It’s easily accessible, and most sites are within walking distance from each other. I suggest walking Rome because it allows you to really immerse yourself in the culture and you never know what you may see on the streets of Rome. Anywhere you go to eat; you will not be disappointed. Pasta, pizza, bread, and gelato. All the carbs! Do I need to say more? I didn’t think so. Another awesome thing about the city is that all of the water from the fountains is drinkable and if you like to travel, you know that’s a plus. Take a reusable bottle around the city, and you won’t have to pay a single euro for water. Just don’t take any water from the Fontana di Trevi unless you want to spend your night getting to know the Roman jails. 😉 I have also included a few more photos of Rome down below for some more inspiration.
And that is exactly how this story begins, but before we get there, let me give you some background information to help you better understand how I ended up living in Mexico. I was 17, and it was the morning after my high school graduation. I had spent the night in a hospital room, watching my dad pass away. June 11th, 2006, at 7:00 a.m. my entire world stopped. For the very first time, I was physically somewhere and mentally totally checked out. The building could have collapsed around me, and I wouldn’t have felt a thing. The one disease that has affected most of the population either by having it or by knowing someone who does. Cancer. It’s a bitch, and it doesn’t care who it destroys in its path.
I was already in a life transition, to begin with when my father passed away. High school graduation means college was the obvious next step for me. When my dad died, I spiraled into a deep depression and just went through all of the scenarios that I had lived out with him and thought of the things I could have done better or what I could have changed. My father and I didn’t have the best relationship, and I blamed myself for things which only led to more guilt and depression. I told my mom and stepdad that I wasn’t ready for college and that I needed time to “find myself.” Then my best friend from middle school decided to drop a bomb on me and tell me that she was moving back to her hometown in Mexico. I felt like I was losing everyone that I loved either to death or circumstance.
My friend moved to Mexico and called me one day and told me that I should come to visit. I was lost in guilt, grief, and depression hell, so I figure, why the hell not? Plus, what better way to “find yourself” than at the bottom of a bottle of tequila? (There are SO many better ways, but I was 18 and wild, young and free. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.)
Her cousin and I decided to drive from Louisville, KY, to San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. If you aren’t Mexican, you probably just said, “Where the hell is San Luis Potosí?” I had the same reaction. It’s almost smack dab in the middle of Mexico. Here is a map of Mexico for reference. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/north-america/mexico/
Anyways, 38 grueling hours later I was in the middle of Mexico. It was so different than Louisville but similar at the same time. It had that big city/small-town feel to it. I told my parents that I would be visiting for 2 weeks and then headed back home to be a responsible, young adult and go to school. Flash forward two weeks, and I’m on the phone to my mom saying, “Hey mom so there is this event in San Luis called La Feria de San Luis, and everyone keeps telling me that I can’t miss it, so I’m going to stay another two weeks.” To put it lightly, she wasn’t happy, but she knew there was really nothing she could do to make me come home immediately.
Another two weeks went by, and I was starting to love life again. What 18-year-old girl doesn’t enjoy a life filled with new experiences, exciting cultures, making new friends, partying like there was no tomorrow and just ignoring all adult responsibilities? Not many. I did what anyone in my position would do. I canceled my return flight home and decided to stay and live there.
The next three years of my life were filled with flights back and forth between Mexico and the U.S., traveling all over Mexico, partying that puts any person’s night in Las Vegas to shame, (except for maybe the wolfpack in The Hangover) getting into a horrible car accident and hanging out with a federale for a few days, ALL the street tacos that you can imagine, chugging more tequila than water, because I was trying to avoid Montezuma’s revenge, or at least that was my excuse at the time.
Looking back on it, there are way better things that I could have done in Mexico than drink and eating spicy food and ending up with gastritis. To be honest, our youth is for making mistakes and pretending to be invincible. We all have regrets, but those years in Mexico are not one of them, and they are actually a highlight of my life. Moving to a foreign country is what dragged my ass out of a deep depression and helped me rediscover my passion for life and travel.
*Typically, I would post a photo of me somewhere living my best life in Mexico, but seeing how I just described 3 years of partying and drinking to oblivion, (my poor liver), I’ll save everyone’s eyesight and not share that hot mess.
** Also, for those of you wondering/questioning, yes, I did eventually go to college and made my mama proud! 😉
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