rome: day one

We managed to get one more free meal out of the hostel before taking off for Rome. We were all excited about our last stop. After arriving at the train station in Rome, we each bought a Roma Pass, good for free public transportation and free entrances to two major sites. We then hopped on the metro towards our hotel.

The metro was surprisingly clean and AIR CONDITIONED. We made it to the Hotel Doge and dropped our bags off before heading out to explore. We had so much to see and knew this would be a busy day. We started by using our first free pass at the National Museum of Rome. This museum was chock full of Roman art, statues, mosaics, coins, and jewelry. Among other things, we saw the Greek Discus Thrower statue and mosaic tile flooring taken from baths around Rome. After the museum, we went down to the Coliseum area. We were set to take a tour at 2:30 so we wandered around the area taking in the amazing sites, getting pictures, and getting lunch. We then went to check in for our tour of the Coliseum and Palatine Hill (the ONLY tour we scheduled for the whole trip) only to find out that Anne and Chip were the only ones on their list. After a lot of waiting, talking and getting nowhere, we all decided just to skip the tour and do it on our own.

Luckily, we had a free stop left on our Roma Pass which would cover the entrance to the Coliseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. The Coliseum was the first stop. Once inside, we were all blown away by the history and the incredible engineering of the arena. We started on the top level where different seating used to be and looked down onto the ground level seating and to the uncovered level beneath the floor. We overheard some tour guides explaining the seating was established by social class, with senators sitting closest, followed by the upper class, the lower class, slaves, and finally women. It was amazing to look down under the flooring to see where the animals were held and lifted by elevator. It looked like a giant maze. They have reconstructed a partial floor to give you an idea of the arena's size. We then explored the ground level and saw the underground portion up close.

After the Coliseum, we passed the Arch of Constantine on our way to Palatine Hill. On Palatine Hill (where many Roman emperors lived), we saw the house of Augustus and the huts of Romulus and Remus. We then went down the hill to the Roman Forum. As we explored ancient Rome’s main square, we were all amazed to be walking on the same streets that Caesar walked on. Many portions of the Forum remain intact and we were able to see the Arch of Titus, the Basillica of Constantine, the Curia (Senate House), and the tomb of Julius Caesar (where people still lay fresh flowers). We were hoping to stop at the Mamertine Prison on our way out, but it was closed for renovations. Instead, we hiked up to Capitol Hill. We stood in the square and took in the impressive views from a piazza designed by Michelangelo, including the grand stairway and the statue of Marcus Aurelius. We then walked back to our hotel for a quick rest and change of clothes.

We decided to take a “night walk through rome” suggested by a travel book. After dinner, we were off on our stroll. We started at the Piazza di Spanga and the Spanish Steps. They were quite overrun with people, which is pretty typical most nights, but was still an impressive sight. Chip took a picture of Anne posing on the steps, and she literally got lost in the crowd. The sinking boat fountain at the bottom was also filled with people and feet (ewww).

The next stop was Trevi Fountain. We got there right as they turned the lights on. While also overrun with people, this was an amazing place that just exudes excitement. Nick and Corinne probably wasted 5 euros throwing coins over their shoulders and making wishes. We then took a walk over to the Pantheon which looked absolutely beautiful all lit up at night. Outside of the Pantheon, a group was forming around a wonderful opera singer out on the square. We stopped to listen and then strolled over to the final stop, Piazza Navona. This lively and large square--which is actually not square as it was once a racetrack for the Emperor Domitian--holds the Four Fivers Fountain designed by Bernini. We walked around and watched a magician, listened to music, and watched so many other fascinating performance artists.

Rome at night is truly wonderful and unique…we could have walked the streets all night except for the fact that we had been moving non-stop since 7am. It was time to call it a night.

~Corinne, Nick, Anne & Chip