Rome

St. Peter's Square

If I moved to Italy (someone please force me by knife point), Rome would be my city.  Ancient ruins in the middle of a modern city.  It's ultra romantic, yet feels like a bustling contemporary city.  I loved it.  We spent 4 days in Rome.  I think it was enough time to see everything we wanted to see, but I think I could've spent a full week wandering around and I wouldn't have been bored for a second.

Where We Stayed:  Hotel Montreal.  The room was a little dreary, but it's location within walking distance to the Colosseum and Forum and one block from the Subway, made up for it.  I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.  It's walking distance to the train station, as well.  And the concierge was amazing.  So very, very helpful and spoke perfect English.  This hotel also had a good continental breakfast that we fueled up on every morning.

Things to Do:

Colosseum:  Hello, Captain Obvious.  Spectacular.

Inside the Colosseum

Forum:  It almost feels like a cemetery.  Plus it was overcast the day we went, fitting.  We walked up to Palatine Hill.  We visited Caesar Augustus' house.  There is still vivid-colored paint on the walls.  It's incredible.



The Forum

Fresco on Caesar's Ceiling

A Wall at Caesar's House

Circus Maximus:  I knew there was nothing there, but after looking at ruins all day, I figured there would be some sort of remains there.  Not so.  It is merely a park.  But it's amazing to see how large it is.  And it's comforting to watch young kids playing soccer there.

Kids Play at Circus Maximus

Aventine Keyhole:  Climb to the top of Aventine Hill.  You'll pass a beautiful park overlooking the Tiber.  If you would have known such a gorgeous park existed there, you would have brought a picnic, or at least some pastries to enjoy while you sat on the bench overlooking the city.  Continue walking up the hill.  You'll see some humvees and men with large guns.  But do not fear.  Look to your right and you will see two large doors, one with a keyhole.  Look through the keyhole.  You will see St. Peter's framed perfectly between a tunnel of trees and bushes.  It's pretty nifty.

Aventine Keyhole

Scavi Tour:  Book this way ahead of time and be sure to bring your confirmation number.  You actually get to pass the Swiss Guards and enter the Vatican!  This tour takes you underneath St. Peters through the tombs that St. Peter's is built upon.  St. Peter's was intentionally built on a pagan cemetery.  Go Christianity!  Anyway, the tour is very cool, and you can hear mass going on upstairs.  Highlight of the tour is getting to see what is thought to be the actual tomb of St. Peter, aka the Disciple and first Pope.

Inside the Vatican

Vatican Museum:  So many great rooms filled with art, but the highlight is the Sistine Chapel and it was packed, even in January.  Bring some ibuprofen because your neck will begin to ache.

St. Peter's Cathedral and Square:  Beautiful cathedral, and I loved the square.  It had been pouring all day, but as we ate lunch the sky cleared and it was almost warm outside.  There was a huge nativity set up when we were there.

Saint Peter Wants You!

Trevi Fountain at Night:  Go see it at night all lit up and toss in your coin.  It's so romantic, and less people.  Visit during the day for excellent people watching.

Trevi Fountain at Night

Piazza del Popolo:  My favorite piazza in all of Italy!  There is a beautiful fountain, an out-of-the-place Egyptian obelisk, and two domes that divide the three roads that branch out from the piazza.  We went early in the morning and it was quiet and picturesque.

Tiber River:  From Piazza del Popolo, we walked along the river to Castel Sant'Angelo. We didn't go inside, I don't even know if you can.  Great views of St. Peter's.  Beautiful walk.

Trees Along the Tiber

Castel Sant'Angelo

Piazza Navona:  Three gorgeous fountains and great people watching.

Campo di Fiori:  Not the best market in January, but I'm sure it's fabulous in the warmer months.

Pantheon:  Amazing ceiling.

Pantheon Ceiling

Spanish Steps:  Nice views of Rome from the top.  Excellent people watching.

View from the Spanish Steps

Via del Corso:  It's the Michigan Avenue of Chicago, the 5th Street of NYC, and the Rodeo Drive of L.A.   I bought a great hat at a store called Kilt for 19 Euros.

Places to Eat:

Pizza e Mortadella:  When we left the Colosseum, we were hungry.  But we wanted to go to the Forum right next to us.  There are a number of food stands at the Colosseum, but they are uber expensive for bad food.  So we wandered up the street and came across this deli/supermarket.  I ordered a ham, mozzarella, & lettuce sandwich.  Hubs had a sandwich with melted cheese and deli meats.  We were able to eat while walking, exactly what we wanted.  Sandwiches for 2 = 10 Euros.

Sa Tanca Crostaceria:  A Sardinian restaurant with red walls and crazy set pieces.  The food wasn't spectacular, but it was a truly unique restaurant.  Appetizers + Dinner + Dessert + Wine for 2 = 58 Euros.

Da Baffetto 2:  The original Da Baffetto was closed so we went to the second incarnation.  The pizza was very good, even though I again made the mistake of ordering a pizza with too many toppings.  Stick with 1 or 2!

La Mensa di Bacco:  This restaurant was near our hotel, close to the train station.  I had a delicious cannelloni.  Hubs had rigatoni alla Amatraciana.  We also shared a carafe of wine and tiramisu.  Forgot to write down the cost but good value.

Matricianella:  This was one of the fancier places we ate at on our trip.  The place was packed with locals and we ate outside.  There were heat lamps to keep us warm.  I had truffle pasta and it was so truffle-y.  Too much, in my opinion.

Pompi:  Go there and get the best tiramisu.  Don't be scared away by the crazy-long line.  It moves fast.  10 Euros.

Tiramisu from Pompi

On our last day in Italy, Israel invaded Palestine.  There was a peaceful protest going on near our hotel.  I snapped a few photos.