| 10 to 13 September 2001 : Rome | ||
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| We arrived at Fiumicino Airport (Rome) 11:00 on 10 September. Good signposting and a short walk after collecting baggage took us to the airport train station for a direct trip on the "Leonardo Express" to Termini Station in the centre of town. As with all trains in Italy - remember to validate your ticket in the machine before getting on board. Even with a bit of wandering around we were at our accommodation the "Beehive" by 13h30. This "hostel" provides dorm as well as separate accommodation at inexpensive rates. Rooms are basic but comfortable and the place has a feeling of being well-managed. A short walk from Termini and both metro lines, the Beehive also has easy access to local shopping. Recommended for the budget traveller. | ||
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The afternoon was spent getting orientated around the Beehive - close nearby is "San Pietro in Vincoli" (St. Peter in Chains) which houses the chains that reputedly held St. Peter. Michelangelo's "Moses" is there as well, and is the draw-card for most visitors. Art afficianados will find more to enjoy. |
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| Using ATM's: A big headache before leaving home was deciding on how to take cash along. Eventually we opened a savings account with ATM access via a Visa Debit Card. We linked our Credit Cards to this account. For emergencies we took a few $US in cash and about four day's worth of Traveller's Cheques. The first test of the ATM on day one was a huge relief when local currency magically appeared. We eventually came home with all of our Traveller's Cheques unspent. Nevertheless, they would have been needed in the case of an ATM problem so we'll handle our spending money the same way next time. | ||
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The morning of 11 September was spent walking from Piazza Venezia (with the huge Victor Emanuel II monument) via the Roman Forum to the must-see Colosseum. Our visit co-incided with the exhibition of artifacts and history inside the building that brought a lot of the history to life. Walking in this area (or anywhere in Rome!) history and monuments are everywhere. | |
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Nearby, the Capatoline, the Palazzo Campodoglio, the Arches of Constantine and Titus, the Mamertine Prison, the individual structures in the forum plus much more make it wise to at least get hold of a written guide or consider a guided tour. |
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Although entrance fees can eat into the budget, there is much that can be experienced for free. We chose what were "must-see" sights for ourselves and visited those irrespective of cost. This will vary for people with different interests - lots of reading and research ahead of time really helps. | |
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After lunch a speedy Metro trip took us to the north of the historical centre. Near the Villa Borgese gardens there is a great view over the "Piazza del Popolo" with St. Peter's dome in the distance. Rome's Metro is superb for getting around the "centro storico". Combined with walking reasonable distances, no other transport is needed. |
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A walk along the road next to the park took us to the "Spanish steps" overlooked by the "Trinita dei Monti" church. Every tourist to Rome will probably have seen this sight. From here days could be spent visiting the multitude of attractions Rome offers nearby - from shopping to museums. Sadly our time was limited. | |
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The Trevi Fountain (below-right) is also a must-see for first-time tourists, but less well-known sights like Marco Aurelio's column in the Piazza Colonna abound in this central area. The fountain detail is from the square fronting the Pantheon. |
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This next picture is of the Pantheon and has a strong emotional element attached to it for us. As the picture was being taken the news regarding the World Trade Centre bombings was spread by a nearby waiter. By the time we had crossed the square to the building people were talking animatedly, mostly in Italian, about events. An American woman swept by with her cell-phone talking loudly about what had happened. It was clear that something really major had occurred but at that stage we were not sure of exactly what. |
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That evening we were to contemplate going home...what was coming and how was everybody at home coping ? A 'phone call and some soul searching left us deciding to stay on. In some ways the distance from the continuous news was in itself a relief. Sadly, many Americans found themselves stranded without the luxury of a choice to travel. |
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The sun did come up on the morning of the 12th despite the previous day's events. Back on the Metro we headed for the Vatican Museums and the Basilica of St. Peter |
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The weekly Papal address was taking place and the US tragedy was the central theme. The mood was solemn with evidence of the sadness all around. |
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St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums remain an absolute highlight, although the volume of art becomes overwhelming. The "grand finale" of the museum trip is of course the Sistine Chapel - no pictures allowed but a place that has to be visited if one ever gets to Rome. These pictures don't do the visit justice (no flash inside and a hazy day). But they do stir memories.... from top left: The beautiful angels supporting the stoup in St. Peter's, a view down via Conciliazione from the cupola, a view over Rome towards the Pantheon, a passageway in the museums, the glorious Piéta of Michelangelo and a picture of the dome from St. Peter's roof. |
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Two street scenes and a view of Castel St. Angelo over the bridge of the same name are the last of our Rome Pictures. |
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