Exploring Rome (2)

Previous Post : Exploring Rome (day 1)

Today’s Itinerary:

• Colosseum
• Roman Forum
• Capitol
• Piazza di Spagna & Fontana della Barcaccia
• Piazza del Populo
• Trevi Fountain

After completing our regular ritual activity, we are heading downstair to have our breakfast. During my stay in Italy, I have deeply fallen in love with coffee. The smells matches the taste that have not been found. I could not even find Starbucks here. Why?? Dunno.

Colloseum

Colloseum, It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.the famous landmark of Rome, is our first destination (metro station: Colosseo). Entrance ticket costs us € 11 could be used for both Colosseum and Palatine Hill/ Roman Forum.

Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined due to damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, Colloseum still keep its charmed. If you have watched Gladiator, starred by Russel Crowe, you could picture how 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Colosseum arena, and in the other side, people were cheered and entertained by the show.

Please be alert to the custom gladiators walking around outside Colloseum. They may charge you for taking picture with them, therefore, please make sure you do the bargain first.

Roman Forum

After Colloseum, our next destination is the ruin of Roman Forum, the central area around which the ancient Roman civilization developed. I would strongly suggest you to bring a guide book since there are only ruins in the place. The book will also guide you to the tomb of Julius Caesar.

Capitol

At the end of the forum, there will be a high stairs, climb upstairs (don’t return back to Colloseum). Walk a little bit and you may find the Capitoline Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome.

The Capitoline contains few ancient ground-level ruins, as they are almost entirely covered up by Medieval and Renaissance palaces (now housing the Capitoline Museums) that surround a piazza, a significant urban plan designed by Michelangelo.
Some pieces of his masterpieces could be found here. In the middle, stood the replica of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Then, there is Capitoline Museums, used dedicated to be the He provided new fronts to the two official buildings of Rome's civic government, the Palazzo dei Conservatori, the Senatorio, and finally the Nuovo. There will be another charge to museum so we just skip it.

Next to the older and much steeper stairs leading to the Aracoeli, Michelangelo devised a monumental wide ramped stair or called as Cordonata. Turn right, and we could find the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, a king that unite Italy.

Gelato, made from 100% real fruit, is another must try thing when you arrive here. The cups determine the price starting from € 1, 2, or 3.

Piazza di Spagna

Continue with metro, alight at Spagna, we arrive Piazza di Spagna. At the base is the Fontana della Barcaccia ("Fountain of the Old Boat"), then you could find the famous Spanish Steps. Though you have to climb the steps, known as the longest and widest staircase in all Europe, but it is a worth, when you reach the top, you could have the wide view of Rome, including the dome of Basilica Saint Petrus, all building in Brown or Orange color, and don’t be surprised if you could not find any sky scraper here.

Next, we walk to Via Condotti. Please don’t underestimate this narrow, shaded street Via Condotti is a center of fashion shopping of the branded items such as Bulgari, Valentino, Armani, Hermès, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Salvatore Ferragamo.

Piazza Del Popolo

Heading back to the fountain, we find the nearest bus stop, and wait for bus no. 116, 117 to Piazza Del Popolo, it is a 3-5 minutes ride (even you can walk from piazza di spagna).

There are the Twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto. Next to that, there is the Santa Maria del Popolo, a small church, but the painting of Caravaggio about St. Peter (The conversion on the way to Damascus and Crucifixion of Saint Peter) make it famous.

Trevi Fountain

Our last destination is Trevi Fountain. Please pay attention to the direction, since the place is quite hidden.
Since a traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome, we throw a coin. We love Rome and we always want to return here now.

Finally, we return to Termini stazione by bus. On our way back to hotel, we grab a simple dinner in a nearby restaurant. We could find anything like laundry by kilogram, internet bar, middle east food in Termini since it is the center of Rome.

Next: Exploring Rome (day 3)