Rome

Rome is a city I’ve always wanted to visit and I finally got the chance to go there!  I loved it, I absolutely loved it.  I heard stories that it was very crowded, the streets were dirty, the piazzas were smelly,  it was very touristy, and hard to get around. I think this happens in most cities that people want to visit.  Rome is world famous for its beauty and history, which attracts people from all over the world, so don’t be surprised if it is a bit crowded at times. 

Few cities in the entire world can the blend of grandeur, history, and beauty that defines Rome. Known as the Eternal City, Rome has been a centerpiece of civilization for over two thousand years. Whether you’re wandering its ancient ruins, enjoying a delicious dinner of pasta, sipping espresso in a sunlit piazza, or marveling at Renaissance art, Rome is a city that never stops surprising you.

Rome isn’t just a city you visit—it’s one you walk through like an open-air museum. One moment you’re crossing a bustling modern street, and the next you’re standing before the Colosseum, the colossal amphitheater that once held gladiator battles to entertain emperors and roaring crowds. Just around the corner is the Roman Forum, where the ruins of temples and government buildings whisper stories of Caesar and Cicero.

 It was crowded but nothing like wall to wall people everywhere. The streets were clean and easily walkable and we were pleasantly surprised.    

The first time we visited Rome we spent a week there. We did not have anything planned except an all day tour of the Vatican. We arrived on Sunday and our tour was scheduled for Monday.   I wanted to do it as soon as possible since it was the one place I was really looking forward to visiting.

Vatican City

Vatican City is a place I’ve always wanted to visit and there was no way I was going to Rome without touring Vatican City and St. Peter’s Square.

This is the smallest country in the world so you can add it to your list of countries visited. It is also the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, and is home to the Pope, who is currently Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope!

I scheduled a tour through Viator and had it set for 7:30 am. We thought this would be a good time since it was prior to the scheduled opening time of the Vatican.  We met at a prearranged place and our tour guide was there to meet with us and it was a group of around 10 people, a nice size and  not so large.    

We started in the Hall of Tapestries and it was just rows and rows of beautiful tapestries hanging on the walls. I did not take any pictures thinking I could get some later, but that was a mistake – I’ll explain later.

These are the pictures I took – of the ceiling! You can see a few of the hanging tapestries on the sides of the pictures.

From the Hall of Tapestries we went into the Sistine Chapel. There were only about 30 people in there so it was nice it wasn’t so crowded.  It was breathtakingly beautiful. I still couldn’t believe I was actually there and viewing the stunning ceiling and walls. The painting are very intricate and detailed and they all have a story. We were very fortunate that our tour guide is an art history professor at a university in Rome and loved giving tours. Her knowledge and explanations of the details were a bonus. (We visited Rome in March during the European spring break). We got lucky! 

Some photos we took of the chapel.   

After the Sistine Chapel we went to some other areas of Vatican City. Our tour was about 6 hours so we had a little break to get a snack and some water.  We walked  back down the hall of tapestries and it was three deep in people. I couldn’t even see some of the tapestries. This is from my reference earlier in the post where I wish I had taken more pictures before. This time I could not get a picture with many people in it. 

St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside the Vatican, at St. Peter’s Basilica the beauty of the statues and the priceless artworks are amazing. The awe-inspiring dome designed by Michelangelo is breathtaking. This Renaissance masterpiece is one of the largest and most important churches in Christianity.    

The Pietà is a Carrara marble sculpture of Jesus and Mary at Mount Golgotha depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus after he was taken down from the cross. It conveys emotional depth, and a mother looking after her son. It is now protected by a bullet proof glass panel after someone attacked it with a hammer in 1972.

St. Peter’s Altar is located in the center of St. Peter’s Basilica, and is directly beneath the dome.  It is one of the holiest spots in Christianity, and was built over Saint Peter’s tomb.  Bernini’s stunning Baldachin, a monumental bronze canopy that serves as the high altar of the basilica. St. Peter was the first Pope in the Catholic faith, and this altar draws people from all over the world.

The bronze statue of St. Peter is also a popular spot for visitors. There is a tradition for people to touch the foot of St. Peter, seeking blessing and good luck. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims who went to Rome, touched and kissed the foot and prayed to St. Peter to ask him that he be merciful and open the gates of heaven for them if they died during the pilgrimage. The constant touching has worn down the foot of the statue over centuries of contact.

When we were leaving the Vatican at the end of our tour, we were asked if we wanted tickets to come back and see the Pope in person because he was going to do his appearance in St. Peter’s Square that Wednesday. Of course we said yes and got the tickets and immediately changed our plans for Wednesday. I couldn’t believe our good luck!

We went back on Wednesday for the audience with the pope. This was the closest we have ever gotten to a pope! We saw Pope Francis in his popemobile as he rode past us.

A closer picture of Pope Francis:

The Swiss Guard is responsible for protecting the Pope since the 16th century.

All of the beautiful items in the Vatican are not just paintings and statues. The floors are also very beautiful. This mosaic floor features a central bust of Athena, surrounded by phases of the moon. 

Vatican City also has its own postal service, media outlets and police force (the Swiss Guard).  It even has it’s own euro coins. A visit to Vatican City is well worth it, to see all the art and masterpieces from previous artists.   

Colosseum 

One of the most iconic symbols of Rome is the Colosseum, and it will not disappoint. You can imagine gladiators dueling each other, with the crowds cheering them on. When you walk through its arched corridors, you can transport yourself back to the days of the this engineering marvel.

Roman Forum

Just a short walk away lies the Roman Forum, a sprawling archaeological site that was the political, religious, and commercial heart of ancient Rome. Ruins of grand temples, basilicas, and government buildings can tell stories of a time when emperors and politicians once ruled here.   

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world. It is an 18th-century fountain in the Trevi district in Rome and is the largest Baroque fountain in the city. It is truly beautiful, especially when lit up at night.

One of the traditions when visiting the Trevi Fountain is that visitors toss a coin over their shoulder into the fountain to ensure a return to Rome. Here is a picture of Bob tossing his coin into the fountain.

Pantheon

The Pantheon was originally an ancient Roman temple, and in 609 AD it became a Catholic church called the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs. It is most famous for the beautiful rotunda, which is a work of art in itself.

One of the true engineering wonders, it is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, and still standing after nearly 2,000 years. The Pantheon is one of those places where you just look in awe and wonder how in the world did they build this beautiful structure with such precision so long ago.

The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda. We were lucky and had a hotel for our stay in Rome overlooking the square. It was so nice to look out the window and see the Pantheon every day.   

Our room had a hot tub in it, and the hot tub was underneath the bed! We definitely had to try it out.    It was nice but I was thinking that I hope the cables don’t break and the bed will fall on us!

Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome.  They are located in the heart of the city’s historic center, and they connect the Piazza di Spagna (at the bottom) and the Trinita dei Monti church (at the top). This grand staircase is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Roman elegance and charm.

The Spanish Steps were funded by a French diplomat, Étienne Gueffier, but they are called the Spanish Steps because of the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, which is located in the Piazza di Spagna. They are a great place to visit and get a photograph.   

When we were there they were under renovations.

Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome that is dedicated to Constantine the Great, to commemorate his victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. It marked a turning point in Christian and Roman history, making Constantine the sole emperor.

It is a short walk from the Colosseum to the Arch.

Rome Piazzas 

The Piazzas in Rome are another charming aspect that you will find in Rome. Sometimes there are fountains, shops, bars, street performers, cafes etc.  It is the perfect place to people watch and enjoy a cappuccino or espresso. Some of the ones we visited were Piazza Navona and piazza Venezia.  

Villa Borghese

There is a large public park that houses the Borghese Gallery, which contains a stunning collection of art, including works by Caravaggio, Bernini and Titian. It is the perfect place for a peaceful stroll around the grounds, or take a boat ride around the lake. 

Recap of places we visited in Rome

• Vatican City
• Colusseum
• Roman Forum
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps
• Pantheon
• Arch of Constantine
• Piazzas 

We also experienced the many small shops that in the alley and walk ways of Rome. We had dinner at whatever restaurant sounded good to us at the time. Lots of times they were on the piazzas and we loved dining alfresco.

You also can’t go to Italy without having gelato! We had a cone almost every night. Every place we tried the gelato was heavenly.

We did a day trip to Florence and another day trip to Naples. It is so convenient to travel in Italy with the train system they have in place there.   

We will definitely be back to Rome! Hopefully we can see Pope Leo XIV!