Day 15: A Walk Through Caesar's RomeHotel: Hotel Simeraldo
Phrase of the Day: Roma Caput mundi (Rome capital of the world) |
Miles
Famous Landmarks Visited
High Temperature for the Day
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Did you know?
The artist Raphael is interred in the Pantheon
A walking tour of ancient Rome
Rome is a big city with all the chaos and noise and traffic that goes along with that. It is a city of contrasts when you see such modern sounds and signs mixed with ancient buildings. Our local guide focused on ancient Rome as we started the day at the Pantheon, a spectacular example of Roman building. We passed by an Egyptian obelisk atop an elephant in front of the church Santa Maria sopra Minerva, which was built, of course, on top of a roman temple originally dedicated to Minerva. Trajan's column, a bas relief pictorial story of Trajan's war victory, built in 113 AD stands close to the crowded streets. The Roman Forum is a sight to see with its standing columns, arches, and partial buildings. And, of course, the colosseum with its rich history topped off the day.
Rome was a poem pressed into service as a city
- Anatole Broyard
The spectacular (but crowded) Vatican
On our own this morning so we were up and out early to walk by the Pantheon without all the crowds from the day before, then to the Trevi Fountain. We tossed a coin in the fountain to help assure our return to Italy some day! Next stop, the Spanish Steps which were lined with blooming rhododendrons. At the top, we wandered the Prominade, a huge park lined with busts and statues and spectacular views overlooking Rome. A quick stop in the little church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and off to join our tour group. Today is all about the Vatican. Our local guide led us through throngs of tourists, highlighting some of the outstanding collections of the museum, but the crowds made it difficult to even move. Past Michelangelo's sculpture of Hercules and through the Tapestry Hall and Hall of Maps and we ended in the Sistine Chapel. It is breathtaking! It is astonishing to see the ceiling and know Michelangelo painted it in four years! A quick back route into St. Peter's Basilica and we explored on our own the beautiful mosaics, the stunning bronze canopy over the burial place of St. Peter (made with bronze plates stolen from the Pantheon), and so many dynamic statues...really no way to take it all in! We went downstairs to see the burial chamber for the popes and out into the crowds exiting. Back to our hotel, grabbing our final gelato of the trip, before meeting our group for our last dinner together.
HELPFUL HINT: Prepare for crowds almost everywhere. Rome is a big city and a major tourist destination, with the all congestion that accompanies that. Venice is popular and the vaporetto was packed. Using a money belt to carrying my money and passport gave me a sense of security that I might not have had otherwise in the crowds. And if you are carrying a backpack, be prepared to carry it on your front on public transportation to better protect yourself.
HELPFUL HINT: Carry on only luggage was especially helpful in Rome, both because of the cobblestone streets and distance we needed to go to get to our hotel, but also because it all feels heavier by the end of the trip! We didn't have to worry about lost luggage on the way and we checked it going home. I think the more we travel, the less we pack and the lighter our luggage is becoming!
Arrivederci, Roma...we hope to see you again!
We were up bright and early to catch a taxi to the airport and then we were on our way home. This was a trip I will never forget!