Once we finally got to our apartment we were pleasantly surprised to find that we were staying in the middle of the restaurant district. It was like staying on Rundle St during the Fridge Festival, only instead of one street there is an entire district of cobblestoned alleys with restaurants that have red & white chequered tablecloths and buskers playing accordions outside. In the balmy summer evening it was the best atmosphere to have a nice meal, to chill out and enjoy!
Rome is full of things to see. You don’t even need to make a plan, just wander and you’ll find incredible squares (piazza’s), fountains, ruins, churches and cute alleyways around every corner. In fact, Rome killed my feet. One night in particular I limped home, had to bathe my aching feet in cold water and couldn’t even bring myself to go out for dinner. Note: the bidet was cleaned and hadn’t been used!
So we started at Altare della Patria, otherwise known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every major city seems to have one, always with an eternal flame burning. You can see this massive white memorial from anywhere in Rome – a very impressive sight. Inside is a war museum outlining the history of the Italian military. Andrew found it mildly amusing that the timelines finished at the end of the First World War and there was no mention of anything beyond 1935.
The road to the Colosseum is marked with ruins that are being or have been excavated. There are ancient palaces, forums and basilicas that have survived through the ages, marking the outer edge of Palatine Hill.
The Colosseum itself is an incredible marvel. The fact that it’s still standing is just awesome. While the stadium itself is amazing, the most incredible feature of it is its age. Thinking that it was built at the time that guys like Paul, who wrote half the New Testament, were walking the earth seriously blows your mind.
Note to any future visitors; don’t take up the tour offers from the people outside the Colosseum. While they are legit and will take you on a tour, there is an official tour that you can get on the inside that costs €4 less. We found that out when the tour guide walked off so the booking agent gave us our money back and took us through to the official ticket window inside.
The internal of the Colosseum is absolutely amazing. Described by our guide as the oldest sports stadium in the world it truly is a sight to behold. It’s interesting to note that the Italians have a sports stadium as their national icon. There is so much history to absorb it’s incredible to stroll through the collection of the artefacts found there that are now displayed inside.
Unfortunately we had arrived later in the day so didn’t have time to see Palatine Hill. But I’ve got a photo of me outside it.
After dinner in our lively district we went for a walk back to the Colosseum to take some night photos. The street vendors were selling tripods, classic!
Next day and off to a new country – Vatican City. First to the centre point of the Vatican, St Peters Basilica and we hit a hurdle. Exposed shoulders are not allowed in the Basilica and I was wearing a singlet. Fortunately I was wearing two singlets so I took the upper one off and, with the help of a bobby pin, made a covering that we hoped would work, tried to avoid attention (the old whistling trick) and we walked in, past the guard that kicked me out of the line the first time.
St Peters Basilica really is beautiful. Stunning artwork and statues adorn every wall and the entire ceiling. It’s almost like an art gallery. Once we’d finished our walk around inside we climbed to the top of the dome outside and enjoyed the best view of Rome. It’s crazy to think that you’re in one country looking down at another.
Then we walked around to the entrance of the Vatican Museum that cultivates in the Sistine Chapel. We were harassed along the way by a tour operator, but after the near scam at the Colosseum we weren’t buying. Good thing we didn’t too as the tour groups stopped continuously during the halls on the way to the chapel, blocking the flow of the crowds and while the artwork and statues were incredible we were only really there for one thing.
The Sistine Chapel is small for its fame but absolutely stunning. No photos are allowed inside and you have to stay silent, all of which no one obeyed. We sneaked a few photos, holding the camera down and pointing it up, and got classically busted by a guard during the announcement not to take photos, but we got some good shots so check them out! Despite the crowd and constantly being shushed it was great to see the paintings that Michelangelo is famous for, he clearly was a master.
We took the metro to the Spanish Steps. Andrew had a walk up and down them leaving me and my aching feet to take the ‘where’s Andrew’ photos from below.
Next up – Trevi Fountain. I love Trevi Fountain – the coolness from the water, the happy tourists throwing in their coins, the gelato – love it! Andrew threw his coin in, donating one cent to the cause, while I sat and ate my gelato happily. I could spend hours people watching there and the fountain itself is so beautiful.
Our final destination – the Pantheon. What an impressive building. The Pantheon shows what can happen to a building when people take good care of it. Originally a temple to all the Roman gods, the church got their hands on it, dedicated it to the martyrs and a have been there ever since. 2,000 years old and still being used – incredible. It’s so impressive to stand inside and look up at the largest unsupported dome in the world. Amazing that an ancient architect can still hold that title.
And so Rome is still my favourite city in the world. It seriously is epic thanks to the sheer weight of history that dominates the city, but has developed a quaint atmosphere through the alleyways between. Walking around enjoying the atmosphere, eating pizza, pasta and tiramisu and finally drinking good coffee once again made this great city feel like home.
Arrivederci mio amore.
Off to Venice we go!
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