ROME IN RUINS
A Walking Tour of Rome's Best Sights
Rome
is a huge city and complex, just try to drive from one side of the
Vatican to the other. Or sit in a five our jam of evening traffic
around the Piazza Repubblica. So many things to do and see and so little
time. Don’t try to see everything. It’s impossible in one
trip. Arrive by train and find one of the many hotels around the
Roma Termini (central train station), or dump the taxi from Da Vinci,
Fiumicino or Ciampino airports, drop your bags and take an orientation
excursion. A short ride on the subway takes you to the Spanish Steps
where lovers and honeymooners gather to make out. A few steps from the
steps takes you to the Trevi Fountain made famous by Marcello Mastroianni
and a blonde on a Vespa. Toss a coin over your shoulder into the fountain
where Anita Ekberg cavorted and legend says you will return to Rome.
But careful you don’t
hit one of your fellow tourists, gathered shoulder to shoulder like pigeons.
It
is here
you’ll know that Rome is one of the world’s most popular
tourist destinations.
Continue
on the subway or a take taxi out to the Vatican. Visit the crypt of
St. Peter under the
twisting
marble alter of his massive Basilica. Snap
a picture of the Pope’s bedroom window and gaze at
the Cistene ceiling. Prepare for a very long line, maybe a second
day. Lines are shorter after 2 or get a reservation (see below).
Stop for lunch in the little quiet district to the south across the Porta
Cavalleggeri (see Hotel
Emmaus Vatican City).
Watch the priests with briefcases and world traveling nuns pulling their
travel totes. If Hollywood is a show business town, Rome is a God business
city.
Then
if you’re up to it, take a long casual stroll on foot back
through 2,500 years of history. Be sure you have a good street map. All
roads may lead to Rome, but once in town getting lost is easy. Cross
the Tiber past the Castle Saint Angelo, stroll Vittorio Emannuel to the
Piazza Venezia, then the down the steps of one of the seven hills and
you find yourself in a valley of what was once the center of ancient
Rome, the Forum. Admission is charged for the Forum now, but a ticket
is good for the Colusseum as well, which will be undergoing a renovation
in the next couple of years, though will remain open to visitors.
2 or 3 day passes are available. Artifacts and age old structures are
being
excavated
and
uncovered
every day.
After
studying
the finer
points
of early Roman
architecture, you’ll come out at the Colosseum. Modern day traffic
whizzes around the ancient structure on Rome’s
Imperial Way thoroughfare as if it were an inconvenient abandoned bus
on the highway.
Take a self-guided
tour over the stands of the Colosseum where Roman citizens gathered
daily to get their fill of Gladiator blood. Across from the
Colosseum is a new 3D virtual world exhibit of life in Ancient Rome "Rewind
Rome" (see Imperial
Rome in 3D). Your feet may be pretty tired
by this
point.
Take a taxi back to the hotel, or if you’re game, keep walking,
you’re almost home. Cross the Imperiali, over the hill to the
Cathedral Santa Maria Maggiore. A few cautions in Rome - always keep
close eye
on your luggage, your pockets or purse - and when you need a snack,
avoid the stands near the monuments, a block away you’ll discover
the prices will be a fraction of the Roman tourist gouge. Snacking has
been made illegal near several of the monuments for the high tourist
season, anyway.
Rest your feet, take a nap and as the late sun sets at 8 or 9 o'clock, join your friends at one of the sidewalk restaurants off the Via Del Corso for people watching near the Piazza del Popolo with some Italian wine and the famous food. © Bargain Travel Europe
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Find best hotel deals in Rome on TripAdvisor
Vatican
Web Site
Vatican Tours/Reservations
SEE ALSO:
LAIGUEGLIA - COASTAL HIDEAWAY ON BAY OF THE SUN
ROUTE
GRAND CRUS WINE TASTING - BURGUNDY
THE CASTLES OF TRENTINO
