Arrival in Rome

Got in at 19:30 and just made the 20:12 train from FCO Leonardo Da Vinci Aeroporto via Train #FL1 to Trastevere station. There we found a tabacchi shop (look for a T which at times might be placedLäs mer
Breakfast & our immediate neighbourhood

Kitty corner to our street is a little panetteria -- Panetteria Romana e Spaccio di Paste -- which sells croissants and cornettos (croissant containing fillings, in our case custard). We had thisLäs mer
Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere

Santa Maria dates back to about 350 AD when Contstantine recognized the Christian faith and it is said that the first public mass took place here. In the 1200s columns from the Baths of Caracalla wereLäs mer
Museo di Roma in Trastevere

This building was once a monastery and now is a museum. We spent a short while inside mostly interested in the depictions of Rome inhabitants of the 1700-1800s. This is done from a series of ?clayLäs mer
Villa Farnesina

This was definitely worth a visit both for the fact that the Chigi and Farnese names come up repeatedly (eg chapels financed in churches by wealthy families) and it is the first of many impressivelyLäs mer
Lunch at Sto Bene

Shared a porchetta panino and tossed salad. Blonde ale from Mastri Birrai Umbri and a blueberry soda. All quite good and friendly staff. €21.80.
Campo di Fiori

Short stop at Campo di Fiori which still had the market open. A lot of people and action going on, nice just to sit and watch. Nancy bought a peeler which makes zucchini and carrot spaghetti.
TheLäs mer
Twilight Trastevere Food Tour

This was really fun although, like any group tour, pricey at about €100 each. We felt in the end it was worth it as it lasted almost four hours and was a walking tour, history tour, food tour,Läs mer
Day 2 Travels

Mostly in our neighborhood and just across the river.
We did two walks.
In the day from about 8:30 to 14:30 starting and ending in our apartment.
We then went out again for the food tour in theLäs mer
Colosseum

We had booked tickets for skip the line at the Colosseum for first opening at 0830 hrs so had a coffee and croissant at home and were out the door. We were not the first in line though! However,Läs mer
Arch of Constantine

The arch is not a visit so much as a 'view' but is very photogenic. It was erected by the Senate in A.D. 315 to honor Constantine's defeat of the pagan Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian BridgeLäs mer
Palatine Hill

Across the street from the Colosseum is a hill covered with ruins. Similarily to the area we just visited, the Romans built a frame of bricks, internally filled it with concrete (a lot of large stonesLäs mer
Roman Forum

As you come down from the hill of ruins and vegetation and shade you enter the Roman Forum, the "mainstreet" of Roman city life so to speak. Down the main road would run chariots, Roman citizens ofLäs mer
Lunch L'Angelo Derrick Panino

Feeling a bit pooped and tired after that hill walking, we made our way up Via Cavour and sat down on a table outside of a café for a basic bite and rest. Is Nancy contemplating something? At theLäs mer
Fori Imperiale

Alongside the Roman Forum to the east is the street Via dei Fori Imperiali from which you can view the so-called Imperial Forums of Caesar, Augustus, Trajan and Nerva as well as the Trajan's Column.Läs mer
Museo Capitolino

Next, a walk across the Piazza to another hill with a stairway called the Cordonata designed by Michelangelo (thanks Mike for the shallow steps) to get to the Capitolino Museum. The lowest floorLäs mer
le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini

We had booked tickets to this and it was very interesting and worthwhile. Basically you walk through an archeological dig after descending to the Roman era. It is dimly lit although the pathway isLäs mer
Dinner at The Public House

It was getting windy and starting to spit and we were tired so opted for this American-Italian pub to while away two hours before the show. Food fine, nothing special (Nancy - lasagne so-so and DougLäs mer
Foro di Augusto

This was interesting but it was getting late after a busy day. It was a bit cool as well so would just take a chance and book it if the weather is good and you don't have an otherwise heavy dayLäs mer
Day 3 Travels

Today's theme was 'Ancient Rome'
We took the #8 tram to Piazza Venezia, then Bus 81 to past the Colosseum and began our walk from there. After the show, we walked back to Pz Venezia for the tram backLäs mer
Meet for Vatican tour

Purchased the Walks of Italy "Pristine Sistine" early entry small group tour. A bit of a tough start - alarm went off at 0630 hrs and we thought it was 0600 hrs so had to leave by taxi in a mad dashLäs mer
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

We waited with the masses and were efficiently escorted to the Sistine Chapel for the early opening. Still quite a few people there and it was annoying they were not going with the signage and theLäs mer
St. Peter's Basilica and Square

The Square is a very impressive sight and beautiful setting for the Basilica. One reflects how large and impressive this is and what it must have been like for those from the 16th century who were notLäs mer
Lunch at Be.Re

Via Vesppasiano, 2
Trapizzino
Italian fast food - a trapizzino is a bun cut on a triangle and filled with a warm filling. Nancy had chicken cacciatore (chicken, rosemary, garlic, vinegar and whiteLäs mer
Castel Sant' Angelo

From the Vatican area we walked back home. We viewed Castel Sant'Angelo and did not go in here but it is an impressive sight. As usual, many Roman buildings were saved by Christians putting theLäs mer