When in Rome do as the Romans Do.
I wonder if a native of Rome has ever taken an official tour of Rome?
We do and this is our official tour day, the concierge books a tour with a company called Ciao Roma for us (€ 26.00 per person).
The tickets are conveniently valid for 24 hours, you can hop off and on anywhere at any time. Traffic is heavy and I welcome any opportunity to get away from the fumes and the teeth rattling vibrations of the bus’ engine.
We walk to the stop Circo Massimo and have ample time to watch the dog walkers and joggers from above. Imagine that 2’000 years ago they had quite other spectacles here!
Circo Massimo with the Forum Romanum in the background
Piazza St. Pietro where …
… where the cobble stones are not cobble stones but pietrini (named after the saint or is it the diminutive of the Italian word pietra = stone?)
… Where the polizia drive an electrical squad car
We do not want to wait for three hours to have a glimpse at the St. Peter’s Basilica or the Sistine Chapel, it would be a good idea for a next visit to buy a time slot ticket (i.e. direct entry).
On with the tour past the Castel S. Angelo, past the fascinating Ara Pacis Museum built by Richard Meier along the river Tiber, Piazza Navona, Piazza Risorgimento and uphill towards Villa Borghese where we get off to walk to the Spanish Steps:
I am far more impressed with the famous Hotel Hasler top right
We eat lunch at the very small restaurant La Lupa in “the heart of Rome”, Via della Lupa 6, off the beaten tracks and ideal for recharging our batteries. We have antipasti (fried vegetables and bruschette) and primo piatti (pasta).
Thus fortified we continue our bus tour (via Via Veneto, Quirinale, Piazza Venezia), up a hill and down another, I must have been a little bit tired or overwhelmed by all the sensations: sorry, no more pictures. Plus it is rather difficult to take pictures from a moving bus.
Very impressive statue of Vittorio Emanuele II (the feather on his hat measures 1.90 m, his sword 5 m and there is space for 22 people in his horse’s belly) at the Tomb for the Unknown Soldier.
We finish our tour with the Colosseum (where according to our guide no Christians were ever sacrificed), the Forum Romanum and get off at the Circo Massimo. A leisurely walk through the Rose Park takes us back to our hotel for a Spanish type siesta.
Comments 16
Ah Barbara, you make me lonesome for Europe! It was this time 2 years ago that I was preparing for my trip to Greece where I fell in love with all the history there! It sounds like you have an amazing time! Thanks for the tip about the time slot ticket. I’ll be checking with you when I plan my trip to Rome! 🙂
Lori
@Lori Lori, you plan a trip to Europe and I will give you a hand, just to make sure I can lure you to Basel as well (maybe?) or join you somewhere!
Actually, I am sitting in cold and grey Switzerland, dreaming about Rome where the weather was far nicer, part III is in the making and I will include some links to restaurants.
Have a great week, Barbara
The best way to see Rome is via walking! Every time I’ve been there we seem to just leave where we are staying and walk from morning to evening…there are sights to see at every turn.
@JanineRipper absolutely, Janine, and a pair of sensible shoes. When I looked at these beautiful Roman ladies in their high heels serenely walking over cobblestones …
Nice pictures. I am French but never been to Rome what a shame !
@AnneEgros I am Swiss and this was my first time in Rome, just pack and leave! Thanks, Anne!
Love the photo of the polizia in the electric car, glad you had a nice trip : )
@GigLogo So did I, absolutely hilarious, thanks for stopping by, Karla, I have just come from your place, loved the interview. Have a great weekend!
OK, it’s official. I now want to go to Rome! What a delightful article and the photos were a fantastic way for us to feel like we were following you along. Really enjoyed it!
@MarthaGiffen Splendid decision, Martha. Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for part III with some tips for restaurants, most of which our friend Fabrizio has supplied, he knows everything!
I am glad you enjoyed it – thanks a lot!
I love the Circo Massimo pciture. These pictures make me want to visit!
@kharpmom23 Thanks for stopping by, kharpmom23, and yes, I agree with you, it brings you to eye level with history with all the people walking their dogs or jogging along!
This is definitely on my bucket list! Thanks so much for sharing these great pictures!
@GenevieveLachance Thanks, Genevieve, I have added a list of restaurants (from Fabrizio and Daniele) and some travelling tips to part III of my Roma trip, this will hopefully help you in realising your bucket list item!
What a lovely trip…I am stuck at home and it is raining in London. Life is not fair.
@JSJ2020 Yes, life is unfair but we have our memories, do we not? I’d better speak to the universe about the weather in London …