Exploring Rome

Previous : Exploring London (day 3)

Today’s Itinerary

• Vatican Museum
• Basilica St. Peter

Doing nothing in Ibis Luton Hotel, we wake up at 4 am, express check out and grab our luggage then walk to the airport in the cold autumn wind. Luton airport is a hub for RyanAir to fly from London to many cities in Europe. Although the airport is categorized as a small airport, it is equipped with complete facilities.

2 hours before departure, we arrive at Luton, checking in and getting through the departure gate. The airport is not small at all, we need to pass through a long alley and still need to clear the security check. Long long queuing there and we have to wait for 30 minutes until our turn. Every metal should be taken off before getting through the gate. Are we in the boarding gate yet? Nope.. a long long way to go and guess what, we are running for about 10 minutes before arriving at boarding gate and it is already boarding.

RyanAir is a low-cost carrier so no seat number, no free food and drink. They also sell Terravision bus ticket from airport to Anagnina Metro station (but I would suggest you buy it later upon arrival). 2 hours 40 minutes later, we arrive at Roma Ciampino Airport, landing smoothly, everyone is clapping hand (dunno why).

Arriving in Rome

I bought DK Eyewitness: Rome, a complete and useful full color guide to Rome complete with history, map, tips, etc. I would suggest you to have this book since the book will guide you and tell the story of various historical site and art object in the city.

The handsome Italian immigration officer checks and stamps our passport without any difficulties (Welcome to Schengen countries). We get our luggage and head through the counter selling ticket for bus and metro. I buy BTI (biglietto turistico integrato) ticket for € 11.00 that could be use for 3-days unlimited bus and metro ride, plus bus ticket from airport to nearest metro terminal (that is Anagnina) for € 1.

COTRAL bus is easly seen in the parking lot. Show the ticket bus to the bus driver and 30 minutes later you are arriving in Anagnina Metro Station. Find this signboard , means Metro Line A, go downstair to wait for train. There are only 2 line of Metro in Rome, it looks like an X (cross) and in middle, there is Stazione Termini as the center. Anagnina is the last stop for Metro line A and the length of journey to Termini is about 30 min. The metro is not too luxurious but clean enough.

Out of Termini, we are heading to Chicago Hotel that booked before by Venere that is within the walking distance from the station. A friendly receiptionist greets us upon arrival, giving us the key then we go upstairs to the 2nd floor (by stairs). Clearing the hotel check in procedure, we start exploring the city. Before, we have our lunch and try: panini, the real melted mozzarella cheese has not been tasted before make we love Italy more and more. (and dont forget handsome gentlemen there).

Taking Metro, we are heading to Vatican. Eventhough we don’t speak or read Italian, but we are not worrying of getting lost. Tourist destination is usually written in each metro map inside the train.

Alight at Stazione OTTAVIANO San Pietro Musei Vaticani, you could easily find the direction to Museum Vatican.

Museum Vatican

Fortunately, this is not peak season and it is not too crowded inside the Vatican Museum. The entrance ticket cost us € 14. Please pay attention that the Museum will be closed for public or Museum will offer free ticket on last Sunday of each month.

If you plan to explore the Museum for the whole day or you are really interested to art, it is better for you to hire or joined a guided tour to the Museum. The Museum is so spacious and exhibits thousands of historical art item especially the masterpieces of Michaelangelo.

We spend at least 3-4 hours inside the Museum and 30 minutes later we are stunned inside the Sistine Chapel. Using camera or video recorder is not allowed inside the Chapel but as long as the officers there donot notice, you could take some picture.

It is getting late and we still have one more sight to visit, Basilica St. Peter. It is free for everyone. Take picture first at the St. Peter Square and guided by our Eyewitness, we learn the history of each object in Basilica.

You could also join the Mass or ask for security permission to pray in one of the Chapel.

At the end of the journey, you will find a souvenir shop for Vatican and post office for you to send post card to your hometown friends.

Not finish yet, the gelato bar has seduced us from the beginning we arrive in Rome. Hmm… real fresh gelato that never been tasted before.

It’s late at night, and we are heading back to hotel. Before, we try another Italian cuisine. We try pizza (for sure) and coffee. Try by yourself.

Next: Exploring Rome (2)