Rome, Italy

What a crazy time getting to Rome! It took us 28.5 hours from door to door because of two Icelandic volcano ash issues. We finally arrived at our perfectly located B&B in the evening instead of the morning. There are 3 keys to get to our room. The first is to a big door on the street in Piazza Sant Andrea. The second is to the door to Al Centro di Roma B&B on the fourth floor. The third is the key to our tiny but sweet room.

 After getting situated in our room at Al Centro di Roma, which is between Campo di Fiori, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, we set out to see a few sights and find some food. We wandered into a small wine bar that had a buffet with great sandwiches, tapanades and vegies. Perfect after our many time zone change induced meals. Then we headed to Campo di Fiori. While taking a picture at a bookstore called Farenheit 451, we met Ken and Teresa from Seattle, who we ended up sharing a pizza and travel stories with.

 Headed to bed after which was 11:00 pm Roma time. VERY tired, but so glad to be here!

Our first full day in Rome was to begin with a walking tour of the Forum and Colosseum led by Daniella Hunt, a classics scholar. Ruth had met Patricia on Trip Advisor, an online travel forum. Patricia was looking for another couple to share a private tour with her and her mum, Gertie. Patricia had located Daniella and what an awesome find that was!

Ruth and Rick both feel that Daniella's gift of teaching by having her "students" observe and question made the day unforgetable. Daniella's passion for all that is Roman is tangible and contagious. She was able to make us see the monuments as they were to the Romans and put it into a context that we could understand.

We took so many pictures, but some of my favorites are of the textures throughout the Forum and Colosseum.

We had lunch with Patricia and Gertie after the tour and had a pleasant time getting to know them. Gertie lives in Ireland, while Patricia has moved to England with her husband. This tour will most likely be the highlight of our trip.

That evening we wandered to Piazza Navona for dinner in a bit of rain. By the time we got there it was pouring. We ducked into a little restaurant on the piazza and had the best meal! We really enjoyed watching the people running by and the rain that did not let up for our entire meal.

May 13

Today is our open day for wandering the streets of Roma.

Campo di Fiori was our first stop today. Campo is a wonderful market in the morning. One can buy flowers, meats, any type of vegetable or fruit, clothing and home goods. 

It is really amazing that they set it all up and tear it all down each day. Our favorite find at Campo di Fiori was the fresh fruit cup for 3.50 euro. There were bins of strawberries, bananas, watermelon and pineapple. You order your cup with the fruit you prefer and the vendor scoops it up for you. Lovely little restaurants line the marketplace. We found a great buy for our friend, Duff!

Piazza Navona is also close to our B&B. We had eaten such a wonderful dinner there in the pouring rain the night before, so we wanted to visit in the daytime. This piazza has artwork for sale during the daytime. The fountains were awesome!

We got on the Open 110 Bus, which is a Hop On-Hop Off bus. We hopped off at the Trevi Fountain. Had to throw a coin in so we could be sure to return to Roma! The fountain was beautiful and the area is full of tourists (including us!). 

We found a little café on a side street and had a bottle of wine while watching the people stream by, the fountain and the Charlie Chaplin mime who was right near our table. He was a hoot, patting women on their rears and tapping with his cane. 

 May 14

After our croissant & cappucino breakfast at Bar Valle, we headed for the Pantheon with our Rick Steves’ audio guide on our I-Pod. Getting lost on the way, I asked a gentleman  on the street, “Dove Pantheon?” He laughed and replied, “I am the Pantheon!” and went on to explain his joke…the Pantheon is BIG…like me. He liked his little joke and so did I. And, he was right. We walked around the corner and there is was…very BIG…just like my Roman friend! The Pantheon is the most well preserved Roman building because it was used as a church after the decline of the Roman Empire and thus was kept in good order over the years.

We stopped in at the church of St. Andrea della Valle which is one the same square as our little B&B. Wow ~ what a surprise right under our noses. Beautiful!

After lunch of our Campo di Fiori fruit cup and a street panini, we caught the #64 bus to Vatican City. We had a tour booked for the Scavi Tour of the necropolis of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Swiss Guards examined our papers and let us in. I love their uniforms! 

The present day cathedral is built on top of the church built by Constantine that preceded it. To build his church, Constantine leveled a hill that was the cemetery near an older church. St. Peter was secretly buried in that cemetery. His bones were removed for protection when the demolition was occurring and put in a small niche. Many years later they were discovered and have been returned to his tomb, which is directly under St. Peters Basilica. The Scavi Tour was really something. We were 3 levels underground in the old family mausoleums. The tile mosaics and painted walls were still intact. This was a worthwhile tour! We both loved it. Wish we could have taken pictures, though.

Then we walked around the Vatican Wall and got in line for the Vatican Museums. Ruth could not leave Roma without seeing the Sistine Chapel. She had been reading The Agony and the Ecstasy about Michelanglo’s life before leaving, so it was a must! The Vatican Museum is huge. So much to see, but there were so many people that it basically was a huge congo line to the end of the road – the Sistine Chapel. 

We passed through many beautifully decorated rooms and finally snaked our way to the Sistine Chapel. We found a seat and just admired the ceiling. Rick Steves helped us out with his audio guide on our I-Pod. This was another highlight of the trip! Again, no pictures were allowed.

We exited a door of the chapel and went directly into St. Peter’s Basilica. Another awe inspiring room. 

Michelangelo’s Pietra was behind plexiglass in one corner. When this work of art was attributed to another artist, the young Michelangelo carved his name on Mary's sash. The Basilica is an art museum in its own right.