Rome wasn't built in a day (and it takes longer to walk it)
Rome in two days, really not enough time but we went our hardest and gave it a good shot. We started early to see San Pietro in Vicoli, for those that have never heard of this church, neither had I before reading lonely planet, but it housed not only a statue of Moses by Michaelangelo but also St Peters Chains. Having only just reached Europe the churches as you enter are quite incredible, at times, breathtaking. The amount of gold (whether leaf or plating), statues and paintings are just incredible.
With that crossed off our list we walked around the corner (lucky for me Steve has a very good sense of direction and always has the map in hand and knows not only where we are but where we are going!!!)
And around the corner, without me realising it, I look up and see the Colosseum. Well for those that don't know about my last visit to Rome may not appreciate my attachment to the place. My jaw dropped and a smile lit up my face at the magnificent Colosseum because it really is something to see.
Note to Scott - they have now just about doubled the size of the front gates, no chance of a night visit as in 1990, however I did take that photo trying :-)
As we walked toward the Colosseum we were stopped by a young, buxom, attractive lady asking if we were looking for an English tour. I am sure her looks had nothing to do with the quick decision to agree to it (ok, so maybe it also saved us about 1 and half hours in the line up to get in as well). The tour itself (other than the guide who spoke quite poor English and has actually kept us entertained most of the trip with her mannerisms) was good in the facts it gave us both about Roman history and the Colosseum. Not only that but it then gave us another tour of Palantine Hill for free and that guide was excellent providing us with lots more Roman history. It's really quite incredible what was achieved back in the day, not to mention the fact that they all wanted something grander and arranged it!!! "Hmm... I think I want a purple marble bathtub and this week I want my own chariot racing rink...." Sure no problem. It doesn't matter how many die while its being built!!!!
Sorry I detract, we also saw the Bocca della Verita (I didn't make out I was Marisa Tomai in the movie Only You, even if Steve is my Robert Downing Jnr).... as well at the church attached which was designed by Michaelangelo.
We also took in the Piazza Venezia, not quite as grand due to the scaffolding (better get used to that look in Europe) and then on to the Pantheon. Now the Pantheon is spectacular. It is the best preserved in Rome and something to see, the colours of marble around are so deep, I didn't even know you could get marble in so many colours. We both really enjoyed the visit.
We strolled around Piazza Novana next which has a wonderful atmosphere, many artists in the sqaure filled by overpriced cafes and restaurants but very talented artists and it was a nice way to spend some time just looking at their work.
On the way home in search of a meal we found this great little wood oven pizzeria. Our Peruvian waiter was excellent and his recommendation of Chianti topped off one of the best meals. The pizzas were so good I have started a book of ideas of pizza toppings for our return. Our wood oven will be getting a good workout.
Our last day in Rome was just as jam packed. The morning didn't start out so well, due to the visit of President Bush. Apparently he requires every street in Rome blocked off and I couldn't even guess at the number of police lining the streets stopping people crossing the street. At least hundreds if not more than a thousand. We asked one policeman how we cross the road so we can get to the 'Fontana di Trevi' his response was 'after President Bush has passed'. Not happy. To make matters worse we later found out he travelled by helicopter anyway. What a dick!
Well we eventually did get to the Fontana di Trevi and we made our wishes and took those tourist photographs - why not! It was great to see, in 1990 when in Rome it was under restoration and swithed off so it's nice seeing it for the first time with Steve.
The Spanish Steps themselves were nothing special although the view from a position a little higher up from Pincio Hill was pretty spectacular. Rome (in my view) is a pretty incredible city.
We then headed to the Vatican and the Cistine Chapel. It was lucky we did leave it till the end of the day as it was closed earlier due to President Bush meeting with the Pope and wanting to see it as well. Entering the Cistine Chapel took forever just for the reason that we needed to walk through so many galleries and museums to get there. All good to see but you do get to the stage where you just want to see it. Having being renovated in 1991, it was just amazing. The images seem to leap off the ceiling and such is the perfection of Michelango's work they actually appear 3D. Truly unique and sos so beautiful. Unfortunately, many people don't observe the silence you are meant to maintain inside. It really detracts from the experience when you hear loud conversations despite the ushers telling people to be quiet.
Next we went back to St Peters Basilica in the Vatican. I say back because we actually went there as our first stop at the Vatican but a helpful guide looking for a job told us the cupola was closed due to - you guessed it - Bush!! Anyway we returned after the Cistine Chapel and luckily they had reopened it by this time. We climbed to the top of the cupola and the view was really spectacular. It certainly was worth the 551 steps to get up there. The only area still closed off was along by the statues but it didn't matter too much. After the views of the city we went into the church to see the famous 'Pieta' by Michaelangelo as well as the rest of the church which is huge. The paintings, statues and mosaics are all incredible and just nothing like what we are able to see at home.
Two days of walking Rome and we were both exhausted. And our feet were really dirty too - sort of matches the streets of Rome.
That's all for now
L&S
With that crossed off our list we walked around the corner (lucky for me Steve has a very good sense of direction and always has the map in hand and knows not only where we are but where we are going!!!)
And around the corner, without me realising it, I look up and see the Colosseum. Well for those that don't know about my last visit to Rome may not appreciate my attachment to the place. My jaw dropped and a smile lit up my face at the magnificent Colosseum because it really is something to see.
Note to Scott - they have now just about doubled the size of the front gates, no chance of a night visit as in 1990, however I did take that photo trying :-)
As we walked toward the Colosseum we were stopped by a young, buxom, attractive lady asking if we were looking for an English tour. I am sure her looks had nothing to do with the quick decision to agree to it (ok, so maybe it also saved us about 1 and half hours in the line up to get in as well). The tour itself (other than the guide who spoke quite poor English and has actually kept us entertained most of the trip with her mannerisms) was good in the facts it gave us both about Roman history and the Colosseum. Not only that but it then gave us another tour of Palantine Hill for free and that guide was excellent providing us with lots more Roman history. It's really quite incredible what was achieved back in the day, not to mention the fact that they all wanted something grander and arranged it!!! "Hmm... I think I want a purple marble bathtub and this week I want my own chariot racing rink...." Sure no problem. It doesn't matter how many die while its being built!!!!
Sorry I detract, we also saw the Bocca della Verita (I didn't make out I was Marisa Tomai in the movie Only You, even if Steve is my Robert Downing Jnr).... as well at the church attached which was designed by Michaelangelo.
We also took in the Piazza Venezia, not quite as grand due to the scaffolding (better get used to that look in Europe) and then on to the Pantheon. Now the Pantheon is spectacular. It is the best preserved in Rome and something to see, the colours of marble around are so deep, I didn't even know you could get marble in so many colours. We both really enjoyed the visit.
We strolled around Piazza Novana next which has a wonderful atmosphere, many artists in the sqaure filled by overpriced cafes and restaurants but very talented artists and it was a nice way to spend some time just looking at their work.
On the way home in search of a meal we found this great little wood oven pizzeria. Our Peruvian waiter was excellent and his recommendation of Chianti topped off one of the best meals. The pizzas were so good I have started a book of ideas of pizza toppings for our return. Our wood oven will be getting a good workout.
Our last day in Rome was just as jam packed. The morning didn't start out so well, due to the visit of President Bush. Apparently he requires every street in Rome blocked off and I couldn't even guess at the number of police lining the streets stopping people crossing the street. At least hundreds if not more than a thousand. We asked one policeman how we cross the road so we can get to the 'Fontana di Trevi' his response was 'after President Bush has passed'. Not happy. To make matters worse we later found out he travelled by helicopter anyway. What a dick!
Well we eventually did get to the Fontana di Trevi and we made our wishes and took those tourist photographs - why not! It was great to see, in 1990 when in Rome it was under restoration and swithed off so it's nice seeing it for the first time with Steve.
The Spanish Steps themselves were nothing special although the view from a position a little higher up from Pincio Hill was pretty spectacular. Rome (in my view) is a pretty incredible city.
We then headed to the Vatican and the Cistine Chapel. It was lucky we did leave it till the end of the day as it was closed earlier due to President Bush meeting with the Pope and wanting to see it as well. Entering the Cistine Chapel took forever just for the reason that we needed to walk through so many galleries and museums to get there. All good to see but you do get to the stage where you just want to see it. Having being renovated in 1991, it was just amazing. The images seem to leap off the ceiling and such is the perfection of Michelango's work they actually appear 3D. Truly unique and sos so beautiful. Unfortunately, many people don't observe the silence you are meant to maintain inside. It really detracts from the experience when you hear loud conversations despite the ushers telling people to be quiet.
Next we went back to St Peters Basilica in the Vatican. I say back because we actually went there as our first stop at the Vatican but a helpful guide looking for a job told us the cupola was closed due to - you guessed it - Bush!! Anyway we returned after the Cistine Chapel and luckily they had reopened it by this time. We climbed to the top of the cupola and the view was really spectacular. It certainly was worth the 551 steps to get up there. The only area still closed off was along by the statues but it didn't matter too much. After the views of the city we went into the church to see the famous 'Pieta' by Michaelangelo as well as the rest of the church which is huge. The paintings, statues and mosaics are all incredible and just nothing like what we are able to see at home.
Two days of walking Rome and we were both exhausted. And our feet were really dirty too - sort of matches the streets of Rome.
That's all for now
L&S
posted by Steve & Lina at
12:26 PM
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