I think this has to have been my most favourite holiday ever. I love Rome, I've been there 3 times now and hopefully will be back again at the end of this year, and I can't get enough of it.
In mid September the weather was perfect, it was a constant 30 degrees for most of the week, and the crowds weren't all that bad so it was absoloutely glorious! We adopted a policy of having one day in the city and the next day on a bus tour of some sort so that everyone (there was a group of us this time) could have a little rest on alternate days.
We tried one of those touristy bus tours that pick you up from your hotel, and ventured on the Christian tour of Rome (to keep the olds happy) but as it turned out everyone loved it! We visited St. Mary Major Basillica, St. John Latern and the Catacombs, and it was fascinating, the guide was excellent.
Ostia Antica
Other tours included a trip to Ostia Antica, the ancient, abandoned port of Rome, which I can't praise enough. If you go, bring sturdy shoes, hire the audio guide and spend the whole day there. We were there for about 3 and a half hours and didn't get past the amphi-theatre which is realtively near the entrance to the city!
We also traipsed all the way to Pompeii for a day on the train. It's not a difficult journey to undertake and if you are in Rome for any amount of time at all, you really should do this trip.
Pompeii is a bit crazy and has been completely over run by tourist groups and guides, but we found that if you get your map and guide book out and plan what you want to see you can by-pass the pushy groups and enjoy the place at your own pace. But if you don't have time to do this then do at least try to see Ostia, in my opinion it's much more impressive and a lot less crowded.
Pompeii.
On our final day trip we took ourselve off to see Hadrian's villa on a rainy saturday. It was very very impressive and the rain gave the whole experience a very romantic and personal feel.
The Lovely Boy took this shot at Hadrian's Villa, I think it's amazing.
While in the city we did the usual trips to the Colleseum, the Forum, the Palatine. As well as the Trevi Fountain, Capitiline Hill, the Parthenon, and lots lots more. We also indulged in very fine cuisine in the Jewish quarter amongst other places and generally relaxed and soaked up the atmosphere.
If you fancy something a little different I have to recommend the Time Elevator! It's a 5d cinema experience and we laughed ourselves stupid while there!
Where's Wally (or Trixibell) on the Spanish Steps?
1 comment:
Hi! Rome is beautiful! I like the pics you took. So envy you that you can 'pop over' to Rome often. i would have to endure more than 20 hours flight there.
Cheers.
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