Rome - 1 Day Walking Itinerary of Rome- Featuring Roman Holiday, Emperors Footsteps and Rome's oldest bridge
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| 1 Day Walking Tour of Rome |
Fulvia, our host from My Rome Apartments is full of energy and information about Rome. She is passionate about travel and well travelled herself. She thoughfully provides "little extras" and interesting information to guests during their stay.
There are recycled guide books and brochures from the tourist office and a book swap library near the breakfast bar. If you mention you like a particular food for breakfast, it will appear for you the following morning. She will advise you on places to visit, circling your map and pointing out her favourite shopping, dining and historical sights in Rome.
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| Our Room at My Rome Apartments |
The apartment is located in Termini which, at first glance, appears to be rough and slightly dodgy, however if you look beyond the inner city grime, there are hidden gems all around the district and it is close to all public transport for easy access Rome's sites.
Mr 77 and I discuss with Fulvia over a breakfast of fresh fruit,
yogurt and muesli where to go for the day and we decide that we should walk and let Rome's beauty and history bewitch us.
We decide on walking in the Emporers footsteps, to admire hundreds of years of history, architecture and art.
We decide on walking in the Emporers footsteps, to admire hundreds of years of history, architecture and art.
First
stop however, is a coffee at Cafe Trombetta Via Marsala 44, 00185 Roma. It is close to the apartment (near the eastern entrance of Termini station) and has been serving coffee to Romans for over 120 years.
As we enter, it is full of people downing their morning expresso shot and nibbling on pastries at the counter. There are marble benchtops and glass cabinets full of delicious pastries. People are jostling each other to have their orders paid at the till, if you are not assertive you are ignored. The orders are filled at the counter by the Baristas who look like waiters at a fine dining restuarant. They are wearing crisp white business shirts, black aprons and silk ties. As they heat, steam, stir, pour and swirl to the beat of the expresso machine, they look like conductors in a caffine orchestra. Coffee is a serious business here and at 3 Euro for 2 Cappuccino's and a litre bottle of water, Mr 77 and I think it's great value for money. The coffee is good and the Barista's theatrics are free.
As we enter, it is full of people downing their morning expresso shot and nibbling on pastries at the counter. There are marble benchtops and glass cabinets full of delicious pastries. People are jostling each other to have their orders paid at the till, if you are not assertive you are ignored. The orders are filled at the counter by the Baristas who look like waiters at a fine dining restuarant. They are wearing crisp white business shirts, black aprons and silk ties. As they heat, steam, stir, pour and swirl to the beat of the expresso machine, they look like conductors in a caffine orchestra. Coffee is a serious business here and at 3 Euro for 2 Cappuccino's and a litre bottle of water, Mr 77 and I think it's great value for money. The coffee is good and the Barista's theatrics are free.
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| by luca © |
| Caffe Trombetta by Ron Beddard(Tripatlas) |
It is a bright, sunny, wide blue sky day. Not yet overbearingly hot but we know Rome in Summer means steamy later in the day. To conserve energy, we take the metro from Termini to Spagna to commence our walk at the Spanish steps.
On our way I wonder why a major tourist attraction in Rome has a Spanish namesake. The Lonely Planet tells me that the Piazza
di Spagna or Spanish square at the bottom of the Spanish steps is named in a nod to the Spanish Embassy and in the 17th century, the area around the embassy was considered Spanish territory. So ole !
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| Colonna dell'Immacolata |
When we arrive, my eyes are drawn to the southeast of the square to a column called the Colonna
dell'Immacolata (column of the Immaculate conception). Erected in 1857, it commemorates the
immaculate conception and is now topped with a statue of
Virgin Mary.
It is not too crowded so we are able to get a good view of the Fontana della Barcaccia, commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and designed
by Gian Lorenzo Bernini who was
inspired by the 1858 floods, it is said that the fountain sits on the place where a small boat was stranded on the spot after the water subsided.
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| Fontana della Barcaccia |
Mr 77 and I take photos on the steps and walk the 137 stairs, pausing about half-way to sit, pose and make like Audrey Hepburn in the film Roman holiday like every other tourist.
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| The Spanish Steps |
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| The Spanish Steps & Trinita Del Monti |
We reach the top of the stars and find the beautiful Trinita Del Monti (Trinity of the Mountains) church. A French Gothic church with renaissance facade and two bell-towers atop. Inside, there are several paintings decorating the chapels. The guide tells me there are two pieces by Daniele da Volterra, a pupil of Michelangelo, who is famous for covering up the genitals on Michaelango's Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel.
In front of the church stands the Obelisco Sallustiano, a Roman imitation, constructed in the early years of the Roman Empire for the Gardens of Sallust.
It is cool inside the church a welcome respite from the heat. We wander around taking in the beautiful artwork, sculptures and wonderful hushed silence of the church.
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| Obelisco Sallustiano |
Adoration of the Shepherds by Daniele da Voltere (1548/50)
As we leave the church we are rewarded with lovely views across Rome's rooftops.
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| View across the rooftops |
The next stop on the walking tour is the shopping precint at the bottom of the Spanish steps, Via Condotti. For me it is agonising, there are so many divine shoes, bags and clothes from the the fashion houses of
Prada, Gucci and Salvatore Ferrugia. I weep as we walk because I cannot afford them.
Browsing however is free, so we walk in and out of shops ooing and aahing at fabrics, design and prices tags that have too many zeros for my woeful budget as we ignore the you don't belong here stares from the sales assistants.
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| Prada - Via Condotti |
I console myself with the fact that Rome is such an amazing city to walk around and get lost in, it is impractical to wear pricey, pretty, pointy shoes.
We are literally walking in the footsteps of emperors and walking through the pages of history. High school history comes alive and it (almost) no longer seems to matter about the lack of pretty prada handbags.
We are literally walking in the footsteps of emperors and walking through the pages of history. High school history comes alive and it (almost) no longer seems to matter about the lack of pretty prada handbags.
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| Mausoleum of Caesar Augustus |
I close my eyes to try to visualise the original granduear of 44 odd metre high walls surrounded by Cypress trees, grand bronze doors flanked by two Egyptian obelisks (now located at the Piazza de Qurinale and the Piazza dell'Esquilino). Outer walls covered with white marble, it would have been imposing.
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| Mausoleum of Augustus |
Sadly we didn't know it is not possible to enter the Mausoleum, unless you have booked a guided tour. So if you are planning a visit and want to go inside, book ahead. You can at any time visit the Musei in Commune
www.museiincomuneroma.it across the road from the Mausoleum to see the Arch of Augustus.
The museum is worth a loo, there are a tons of busts, sculptures, models and some very unusual art. We were bemused by a 'piece' entitled Mae West, a giant condom with the face of a a very scary blow up doll glowing in the dark.
The museum is worth a loo, there are a tons of busts, sculptures, models and some very unusual art. We were bemused by a 'piece' entitled Mae West, a giant condom with the face of a a very scary blow up doll glowing in the dark.
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| Model of the Mausoleum of Augustus in Musei in Commune |
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| Bust of Caesar Augustus in Musei in Commune |
Across the road from the museum, is the Church of San Rocco Augusto. To the right of the church is a column measuring the height of the flooding of the Tiber, the worst was 1598 with a record of 4 meters above the current street level.
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| Flood Column on th Church of San Rocco Augusto |
As expected, the day turns to a steamy 30 degrees. Being the last official
day of summer holidays people are out enjoying the sun. The restaurants and cafes are full and the banks of the Tiber are dotted with pop up pools and bars. Families
and couples are out walking their dogs and traffic in the eternal city is light.
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| One of the pop up pool bars along the Tiber |
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| Views walking along the Tiber to Ponte Saint Angelo |
We
walk along the river to the Ponte Saint Angelo
and the national museum of Castel Sant Angelo.
It is a striking building, constructed between 123-139 AD, a monumental grave of he who liked to build big walls - The Emperor Hadrian.
The Castel has had multiple uses; a Fortress, Papal apartments, military barracks and used as a prison.
It has appeared in popular movies: Angels and Demons, where the final clue reveals that the ‘Chapel of the Illuminati’ is located in Castel Sant Angelo and further back in Roman Holiday, where it served as a backdrop for the scene where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck dance on the barges on the Tiber.
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| Ponte and Castel St Angelo |
The Castel has had multiple uses; a Fortress, Papal apartments, military barracks and used as a prison.
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| Castel St Angelo |
It has appeared in popular movies: Angels and Demons, where the final clue reveals that the ‘Chapel of the Illuminati’ is located in Castel Sant Angelo and further back in Roman Holiday, where it served as a backdrop for the scene where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck dance on the barges on the Tiber.
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| Walking across the Ponte St Angelo |
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| Castel Sant Angelo |
Now, it is a popular tourist attraction, we climb the stairs to take in the views, which are stunning, a beautiful 360 degree panorama of Rome. Being a clear day we get uninterrupted views around the city and I can see why Puccini picked it as the setting for Tosca to leap to her death, it is very dramatic.
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| Views from the rooftops of Castel St Angelo |
After walking around the museum, our tummies tell us it is time for lunch.
We walk across the river and make our way towards the Pantheon, stopping at CYBO in Via Di Tor Millina,27 http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1501113-Reviews-Cybo-Rome_Lazio.htm to eat.
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| Streets of Rome |
We walk across the river and make our way towards the Pantheon, stopping at CYBO in Via Di Tor Millina,27 http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1501113-Reviews-Cybo-Rome_Lazio.htm to eat.
Selected at random, we sit down when we spy umbrellas that spray misty water over the tables. In the afternoon
heat, tired with expanding feet it is perfect. I order a Campari Spritz, Mr 77 opts for a Menabrea and we share some prosciutto e
melone and Spaghetti Con Pomoodoro - it is all simple but delicious.
After lunch, it is a short stroll to Piazza Navona and Bernini's fountains. I have been here before but each time I see this amazing work of art I am awed. We take time to stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere and the beautiful sculptures of all the three fountains.
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| Piazza Navona - Flower Markets |
Fontana
dei Quattro Fiumi (fountain of the four rivers)
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| Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi- Courtesy of A taste for travel |
Fontana
di Nettuno (Neptune fountain) at the Northern End
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| Fontana Di Nettuno - Neptunes Fountain |
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| Fontana Di Nettuno - Neptunes Fountain |
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| Fontana Di Nettuno - Neptunes Fountain |
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| Fontana Di Nettuno - Neptunes Fountain Image courtesy of Denis Jarvis - https://www.flickr.com/photos/archer10/5132769182 |
Fontana del Moro (Moor fountain) at the southern
end.
The day is starting to get away so we visit the Pantheon (a
second century AD pagan temple, built by the Emperor Hadrian it now houses Raphael and the first king of
Italy's tomb as well as few others). It has also featured in another Roman Holiday scene, the sidewalk
cafe scene filmed at a bar called Rocca's, now no longer there.
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| Pantheon - inside the dome |
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| Pantheon - External |
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| Fontana del Pantheon |
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| Fontana del Pantheon |
All of the walking and heat are making us weary, so it is time for a Gelati stop.
We sit on the steps of the Fontana del Pantheon, in the Piazza della Rotonda and people watch as we enjoy our creamy scoops of pistacio and chocolate.
If coffee is your afternoon pick me up be sure to stop at Caffe Sant'Eustachio in Piazza Sant'Eustachio 82, famous for cappuccino, made according to a secret, highly guarded recipe.
We sit on the steps of the Fontana del Pantheon, in the Piazza della Rotonda and people watch as we enjoy our creamy scoops of pistacio and chocolate.
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| Fontana del Pantheon |
If coffee is your afternoon pick me up be sure to stop at Caffe Sant'Eustachio in Piazza Sant'Eustachio 82, famous for cappuccino, made according to a secret, highly guarded recipe.
The gelati has provided the necessary pick me up, so we walk down to the Capitoline
Hill and to Piazza del Campidoglio .
The Michelangelo designed pavement and the bronze
statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius are impressive and you could spend a whole day in the museum. There is also an amazing view over Rome from the top of the museum.
With sunset upon us however, the views
across the city are calling and we stop to take in the golden glow across the rooftop domes.
The light is pink and lingering so we walk around the hill to see the Roman Forum glowing pink in the dusk light.
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| Capitoline Hill |
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| Capitoline Hill |
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| Emperor Marcus Aurelius - Piazza del Campidoglio |
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| Sunset View from Capitoline Hill |
The light is pink and lingering so we walk around the hill to see the Roman Forum glowing pink in the dusk light.
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| Roman Forum at dusk |
It is still hot and our thoughts turn to dinner. To end the day we walk back to the Tiber, where it is cooler, to see the remains of Rome's oldest stone bridge Ponte Rotto spanning across the river near the Isola Tiberina.
From here we also get to see the Pons Fabricius or Built in 62 BC it is Romes oldest bridge still in tact and in use.
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| Pons Fabricius |
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| Pons Fabricius |
We walk to the island and find ourselves amongst pop up bars erected for the summer film
festival. We take a seat, order aperitif and a plate of charcuterie to nibble on as we watch the Tiber flow full force past us down the weir. We
marvel at the impossibly stylish Romans as they walk past. I feel very shabby in our backpacker uniform of t-shirt and shorts.
As the crowds begin to grow with late night revellers and the films light up the screen, we decide to call it a night. We hail a taxi (a bargain at 9 Euro) back to Fulvia's and dream of all that now is and all that once was in this beautiful city.
Quick Guide to Rome
Flights
All major airlines have direct flights from most major capital cities around the world. To find the cheapest flight you can use any one of these comparison websites below. Just remember that they usually charge booking fee of between $19-39 AUD and airlines you book direct with unless you remove browser cookies from your search engines will charge extra.
- jetabroad.com.au
- www.skyscanner.com.au
- www.webjet.com.au
- bestflights.com.au
- expedia.com.au
- lastminute.com.au
- zuji.com.au
- Kayak kayak.com
- Orbitz orbitz.com
- Travel Supermarket travelsupermarket.com
- Trip Advisor tripadvisor.com.au
- Cheap Flights cheapflights.com.au
- Airfares Flights airfaresflights.com.au
- Flight Centre flightcentre.com.au (Compares flights on its website but doesn’t allow online booking – you need to register your details so an agent can get in touch with you to confirm)
- GetFlight getflight.com.au
If you are staying for a few days consider purchasing the Roma Pass, it entitles you to free transport and two museum entry free. Check out the details here:
http://www.romapass.it
Tours
Viator has many great tours and discounts for Rome, you can tailor your trip and get tips from the locals.
http://www.viator.com/Rome/d511-ttd?pref=02&aid=g6730
Sites we visited
Augustus Mausoleum -It
is possible to book the guided tours by:
Cooperativa IL SOGNO
Viale Regina Margherita, 192 - 00198 ROMA
Tel. +39 06/85.30.17.58 -
Fax +39 06/85.30.17.56
Email :ilsogno@romeguide.it
Cooperativa IL SOGNO
Viale Regina Margherita, 192 - 00198 ROMA
Tel. +39 06/85.30.17.58 -
Fax +39 06/85.30.17.56
Email :ilsogno@romeguide.it
Musei in Commune
http://www.museiincomuneroma.it/
Castel St Angelohttp://www.castelsantangelo.com/
Pantheon
http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/pantheon?lang=en
Capitoline Hill and Museum
http://en.museicapitolini.org/
Piazza del Campidoglio 1
Bus - Piazza Venezia
Annoyances
A word of warning, at the time we travelled, local gypsies were "helping" tourists select their tickets
at the metro ticket stations, then requesting a small fee. They will tell you they
are from the tourist office, but they are not. They are not dangerous, just a bit pushy at times and you are definaetly not obliged to give them money.
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