Rome-ing in Rome

Our last destination on our Italy trip was Rome. We took the regional train from Naples to Rome. First class was no big deal on the Regional train, it just meant nicer seats. The train was delayed but not by too long and anyway our hotel in Rome was close to Termini station. 

After getting settled into our hotel room at Diana Roof Top Garden, we went up and enjoyed a free glass of wine on the roof top garden before setting out to wander around a bit.

We had wanted to go to Saint Marie Maggiore where Pope Francis was laid to rest but the line to get through security was all the way around the basilica so we altered our plans and went to see the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain instead. 

Rome was very crowded as 2025 is a Jubilee Year. We would be two days in Rome and we had no excursions through Railbookers arranged.  It turned out to be a good thing as our first full day in Rome was the first Sunday of the month and so national monuments and museums were all free and then on Monday's most of them are closed. We had booked a timed audio tour of St Peter's Basilica on the Monday morning. The plan for Sunday morning was to go to see Castel Sant Angelo.

We got to Castel Sant Angelo fairly early in the morning and there already was a long line. I think we waited about an hour to get in and got little wet in the process when some light rain showers started. Castel Sant Angelo was at one time the mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and then it was a papal palace. 

We then wandered about Rome seeing the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, where we stopped for an aperitif and, of course, the Colosseum.  We also went up the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II where we saw the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 

The next day after breakfast we were off to Saint Peter's Basilica. We weren't sure how long security would take so we went early; that turned out to be a great decision. They didn't seem to care about what time was on our tickets at security but just that we had a ticket for a timed entry. We got through security fairly quickly and were into Saint Peter's before it was really crowded.  It was set up a little weird if you wanted to go through the Holy Doors as you had to go inside then come back out.The Holy Doors are only opened during Jubilee Years, held once every 25 years, so I doubt I'll see another. The audio guide was a good value, for 7 Euros, it gave us the timed entrance tickets and was quite a well laid out guide. You do need to bring your own headset or ear buds.

Going through the Holy Doors

Holy Doors

We also went into the Vatican Grottos where many popes are buried as well as Saint Peter. It was really crowded by then but we waited to see them anyway. 

Sepulchre of Saint Peter

Afterwards we wandered along the Tiber River towards Circus Maximus where we saw the Mouth of Truth and had lunch.  There wasn't much to see at Circus Maximus as it was undergoing an extensive renovation of the area and was boarded off. And like everywhere else, there was a long line at the Mouth of Truth.

We headed back to hotel afterwards as we planned to have dinner at the hotel. In addition to the coupon for a free glass of wine, they also gave us a discount coupon for a meal in the restaurant. 

Chocolate Six Ways.

The next morning it was back to the train station to catch the Leonardo Express to the airport and the end of roaming in Italy. Of course, I would love to go back to Italy, but then there are so many other places in the world to explore. 

So as they say in Italy, Arrivederci, Ciao. Until next time!