Sept. 29:
Today we dropped off the car at the airport and took the Leonardo Express train to Termini Station. The tranquility of our gentle wandering in the Italian countryside vanished in the blur of urban chaos that defines Rome. This might be intimidating to some people but we happily immersed ourselves in the busy hum of the city. Hauling our suitcases behind us, weaving through the mobs of pedestrians, dodging cars and aggressive scooters, we made our way to the Hotel Oceania, about 15 minutes walk. On the third floor of a 19th Century Palazzo, the hotel was a welcoming oasis of air conditioned calm.
As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day and with all its magnificent sites, ancient relics and vibrant neighbourhoods to explore, it’s hard to know where to start. We didn’t have any time to waste. We quickly purchased a Roma Pass at the nearby Museo Nazionale and spent the rest of the afternoon immersed in the Coliseum and Imperial Forum. For me, the legacy of buildings and infrastructure of the ancient Romans is the main draw to the city. Walking on stone paving laid by hands over 2000 years ago, touching the ancient walls and admiring the skill of those early craftsmen, leaves me awestruck. We gaped and photographed and were suitably enthralled. Since the last time I was in Rome (1987), a lot of work has been done to make touring the ancient sites more accessible for visitors. In the Forum we used a Rick Steve’s audio guide which was a great help in steering us through, what might otherwise be seen as a maze of rubble and marble pillars. Imagine, the Vestal Virgins once tended the flame in the temple here, Julius Caesar was burned and still honoured on this spot and the Emperor Caligula lorded it over in the Palazzo set into the hillside there. 40 % of the adjoining Palatine Hill has been excavated and we took our time enjoying all the sites.
On our way out of the Forum we took time to admire the splendid Piazza del Campidoglio on the Capitoline Hill designed by Michelangelo. We gave only a brief glance at the gleaming white Victor Immanuel Monument as we headed off towards the Pantheon. The most classic of all monuments, the Pantheon is the perfect dome. We stayed until the announcement that the sanctuary was closing for the night, sent us out in search of a well-earned dinner. On our way we circled the famous Piazza Navona which was a hub of tourist activity with all the accompanying vendors and buskers. We avoided the expensive restaurants that ring the piazza and settled on a small street side eatery. The server prided himself on his knowledge of wine and so we celebrated day one in Roma with a delicious bottle of 2000 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Today we dropped off the car at the airport and took the Leonardo Express train to Termini Station. The tranquility of our gentle wandering in the Italian countryside vanished in the blur of urban chaos that defines Rome. This might be intimidating to some people but we happily immersed ourselves in the busy hum of the city. Hauling our suitcases behind us, weaving through the mobs of pedestrians, dodging cars and aggressive scooters, we made our way to the Hotel Oceania, about 15 minutes walk. On the third floor of a 19th Century Palazzo, the hotel was a welcoming oasis of air conditioned calm.
As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day and with all its magnificent sites, ancient relics and vibrant neighbourhoods to explore, it’s hard to know where to start. We didn’t have any time to waste. We quickly purchased a Roma Pass at the nearby Museo Nazionale and spent the rest of the afternoon immersed in the Coliseum and Imperial Forum. For me, the legacy of buildings and infrastructure of the ancient Romans is the main draw to the city. Walking on stone paving laid by hands over 2000 years ago, touching the ancient walls and admiring the skill of those early craftsmen, leaves me awestruck. We gaped and photographed and were suitably enthralled. Since the last time I was in Rome (1987), a lot of work has been done to make touring the ancient sites more accessible for visitors. In the Forum we used a Rick Steve’s audio guide which was a great help in steering us through, what might otherwise be seen as a maze of rubble and marble pillars. Imagine, the Vestal Virgins once tended the flame in the temple here, Julius Caesar was burned and still honoured on this spot and the Emperor Caligula lorded it over in the Palazzo set into the hillside there. 40 % of the adjoining Palatine Hill has been excavated and we took our time enjoying all the sites.
On our way out of the Forum we took time to admire the splendid Piazza del Campidoglio on the Capitoline Hill designed by Michelangelo. We gave only a brief glance at the gleaming white Victor Immanuel Monument as we headed off towards the Pantheon. The most classic of all monuments, the Pantheon is the perfect dome. We stayed until the announcement that the sanctuary was closing for the night, sent us out in search of a well-earned dinner. On our way we circled the famous Piazza Navona which was a hub of tourist activity with all the accompanying vendors and buskers. We avoided the expensive restaurants that ring the piazza and settled on a small street side eatery. The server prided himself on his knowledge of wine and so we celebrated day one in Roma with a delicious bottle of 2000 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
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