Traveling to Italy has been a personal dream for many years, and thankfully, it became a reality last July 6th to 19th, 2016. It was fourteen days that I devoted my journey to Italy alone. I know, I could’ve gone to many other countries within the Schengen territory had I wished to, however, even 2 straight weeks were not enough to experience and understand what Italy is all about. ROME was never built in a day, neither can I understand it in 2 weeks, let alone 3 days!
Was it because I am deeply fascinated with Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons, a fictional Illuminati thriller novel that was made into a film that starred, Tom Hanks, no less?
True, I followed Tom Hanks’ character, Robert Langdon’s path to the 4 Altars of Science, where the 4 best candidates to become the next Pope were killed (offering them to Altars of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, which are all located within Rome).
Was it because I reckon visiting the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, as an ethereal dream that I want to accomplish in this lifetime?
Was it because I am very fascinated with Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Bernini?
Or probably, I simply want to sample authentic pizza, pasta and gelato?
I didn’t have concrete answers why I have been itching to take my feet to the country where almost all places are picturesque, until my days were spent in Roma, Napoli, Sorrento, Positano, Procida, Cinque Terre, Firenze, Venezia and Milano.
DXB to FCO
Flying with Emirates from my current home base in Dubai to my first destination in Italy went as smooth as my other flights with them. I arrived in Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome after an awesome 6 hour direct flight. I was armed with pre-booked train tickets for my entire trip to Italy (except from FCO airport) that I purchased online via GoEuro website, a 50-liter-backpack and a 32-inch Rimowa.
From FCO Airport, I bought a train ticket from a machine for 14 Euros and took the 45 minute train ride from the airport to Roma Termini via Leonardo Express.
Then, from Roma Termini, I took a short cab ride to my hostel (which I don’t want to mention here as the service was something I don’t want to recommend) and checked in. It was walkable actually for about 20 minutes but it’s my first time in Rome, and it was almost 11PM.
After checking in, I left the hostel and walked my way to Fontana di Trevi, only to find out that the famous fountain and even the Spanish Steps (which is also a walking distance from Trevi fountain) were both closed for fashion shows on that weekend. Nonetheless, I took photos, I breathed Italian air for the first time, and enjoyed my first bite at an authentic pizza on my first night in Roma!
DAY 1 : FCO AIRPORT ARRIVAL
Arrived at FCO Airport in Rome after 6 hour flight from Dubai
Purchased one-way-ticket for Leonardo Express from FCO to Roma Termini at the airport for 14 Euros.
Arrived in Roma Termini and took a cab (7 Euros) to my hostel.
Walked to Fontana di Trevi, then to Spanish Steps and ate my first pizza in Italy.
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria.
On my way to Fontana di Trevi on foot at almost midnight.
Notice the stage on water? Fountain’s closed for FENDI fashion show.
Oceanus at the center of Fontana di Trevi.
DAY 2 : ALTARS OF SCIENCE, FORA ROMANA AND THE COLOSSEO
Here’s my chronological itinerary with bits of tips and cost of expenses, which were noted below to be informative and helpful if you’ll travel to Rome on a shoestring budget.
Hostel to Roma Termini (via walking, free!).
Purchased Roma Pass (36 Euros inclusive of train and bus unlimited rides for 3 days, plus 2 archaeological sites or museums (Colosseo and Roman Forum are counted as one bundle + 1 more museum or archeological site).
Roma Termini to Piazza Navona (via taxi cab, 7 Euros).
Piazza Navona : Fountain of Four Rivers, Sant’Agnese in Agone.
Piazza Navona to Pantheon (via walking, free!).
Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda (free access!)
Brought water bottle and had it refill from tap water fountains! Saves you 2 Euros per bottled acqua, at least. Remember to hydrate particularly when it’s summer in Italy!
Mesmerised by the large and impressively stunning dome of the Pantheon with its oculus or circular hole at the center where sunshine passes through. What an architectural genius! Thou shall not miss it when in Rome!
Pantheon to Via del Corso (yes, I just kept on walking! Free!)
Via del Corso to Altare della Patria
Back to Fontana di Trevi.
Visited Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio a Fontana di Trevi; 17th century church overlooking the famous Roman fountain.
Quick brunch at a common fast-food joint (spent 8 Euros).
Walked my way to Spanish Steps again (still closed due to Armani Fashion Show).
Piazza di Spagna to Piazza del Popolo (walk, walk, walk! Free!)
Took a cab to Galleria Borghese (taxi cab fare around 8 Euros I think, however, they’re only selling tickets for the next day despite I have free access with my Roma Pass, so I quit the queue and left, because my Friday was reserved for Vatican City).
Rode another cab to Fora Romana or the Roman Forum.
Roman Forum (read important life hack below!) to Colosseo (walk your way, baby!).
Took a bus from Colosseo (using my Roma Pass) to Santa Maria della Vittoria, where Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Santa Teresa is housed (free access!).
Walked my way back to my hostel. Whew!
Bus station at Roma Termini.
Roma Pass. Go get one if you want to save and cut the lines!
FONTANA DEI QUATTRO FIUMI, PIAZZA NAVONA.
The Fountain of Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini at Piazza Navona is one of the most frequently visited attractions in Rome. I intentionally went there at 7AM to savour the place and to avoid the crowd.
Bernini’s masterpiece with an Egyptian obelisk, surrounded by four river gods, represents four major rivers of the four continents through which papal authority had spread.
Nile River representing Africa,
River Danube representing Europe,
Ganges River representing Asia, and
Río de la Plata representing the Americas.
In Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons, Bernini’s handsome fountain represents one of the Altars of Science – Water, where one of the candidates to become the next Pope was drowned however, saved by the character of Robert Landgon, portrayed by Tom Hanks in its movie adaptation.
Piazza Navona. Fountain of Four Rivers by Bernini.
Water. One of the Altars of Science in Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons.
Random yet charming scene at Piazza Navona!
Surely, no shortage of pretty fountains in Rome!
Sant’Agnese in Agone. An imposing 17th century Baroque church.
Piazza Navona. What’s not to love?
Roman fountains all over. Drink like Romans do! I did countless times!
When in Rome : Drink tap water! Potable and surprisingly chilled!
More fountains at Piazza Navona. Aren’t they lovely?
Walked through alleys and streets from Piazza Navona to Pantheon.
PANTHEON, PIAZZA DELLA ROTONDA.
The word, Pantheon is a Greek adjective meaning “honor all Gods”
Initially built as a Roman temple, now a Catholic church dedicated to Santa Maria ad Martyres or Saint Mary and the Martyrs however, more commonly called, Santa Maria Rotonda, hence, the plaza located right in front of Pantheon is called, Piazza della Rotonda.
Piazza della Rotonda, Pantheon.
The Pantheon is the ancient Roman structure that’s said to be best preserved.
Fun fact and must know : The distance from the floor of the Pantheon to the top of the dome is equal to its diameter!
Another fun fact : The Pantheon is one of the markers mentioned in Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons.
The dome of the Pantheon. Don’t miss it when in Rome!
The main altar of the Pantheon.
The fountain with its Egyptian obelisk at Piazza della Rotonda.
Take me to the Pantheon!
I’m sold even to the beautiful and quaint windows in Rome!
Behold. The Pantheon at Piazza della Rotonda!
From Pantheon, I walked my way to Fontana di Trevi area.
VIA DEL CORSO, ALTARE DELLA PATRIA, FONTANA DI TREVI.
Have you ever heard of the so called, “Wedding Cake” in Rome? The term refers to the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II or Il Vittoriano, a monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. Built in white-wash structure filled with inviting Corinthian columns and stairs similar to a wedding cake; the famous Roman monument has the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame. It’s picturesque at any angle at any time of the day!
Altare della Patria viewed from Via del Corso.
Altar of the Fatherland! A must-see when in Rome!
A stroll back to the Fontana di Trevi provided a burst of colors!
Still closed on my second visit due to FENDI fashion show.
Failed to throw a coin above my shoulder to wish to the fountain.
Fontana di Trevi is one of my reasons to revisit Rome!
Nevertheless, going there was such an awe-inspiring experience!
Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio a Fontana di Trevi; 17th century church.
Following my second visit to Fontana di Trevi (with high hopes that the wires that blocked the public from going near the fountain were already removed however, disappointed due to pending fashion show), I grabbed a quick lunch at a common fast-food joint, then headed my way to Piazza del Popolo, via Piazza di Spagna.
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO, TWIN CHURCHES, BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA DEL POPOLO.
Another well known meeting place and famous tourist spot in Rome is the People’s Square or Piazza del Popolo. The massive plaza is best accessible on foot from Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna. Here, one may appreciate an Egyptian obelisk, the Twin Churches of Santa Maria dei Mircoli and the Santa Maria in Montesanto (however, one of them was under renovation during my visit), and the steps that lead to Pincio to the east.
The road to Piazza del Popolo from Piazza di Spagna! Beautiful, isn’t it?
Roman cars may be minute than usual however, so striking!
People’s Square or Piazza del Popolo and Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo.
Steps leading to the Pincio to the east from Piazza del Popolo.
One of the Twin Churches.
Galleria Borghese. Too bad, I didn’t get to see more Bernini’s and Caravaggio’s.
FORA ROMANA OR THE ROMAN FORUM
Prior to my trip to Italy, I read the blog post about Rome written by my good friend and fellow Dubai-based blogger, Myla of www.findmeabreak.me. She mentioned a “life hack” that saved me from hours of queue at the Colosseo. Since they learned from their AirBnB host that Colosseo and Fora Romana are a one bundle or counted as one archeological site, tourists tend to go to Colosseo first, which inevitably leads to long hours of waiting to collect the tickets (Imagine being soaked under the Italian summer sun! Ugh!). However, you can get your tickets first to both archeological sites (despite you have Roma Pass, you need to present it at the counter to claim your tickets for the day and to get it validated at the gates) at the counter of Roman Forum which more often than not, has shorter queue that will only take you from 5 to 20 minutes to collect tickets for Colosseo and Roman Forum itself, then enter and appreciate Fora Romana where Roman government buildings were erected ages ago, then walk your way to the iconic, Colosseo which is a stone’s throw away from the Roman Forum. Such a great traveling tip! Have you heard of this already?
A glimpse of dorsal part of Altare della Patria from Fora Romana.
THE COLOSSEO. My 5th out of the 7 NEW WONDERS OF THE WORLD.
Iconic is an understatement to describe the Colosseo! It remains to be one of the most visited heritage sites in Rome. With capacity estimated at 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, it’s a colossal amphitheater where gladiatorial and animal fights, executions and other public spectacles were held during the Roman Imperial Empire. Have you been to Colosseo?
Can you imagine gladiators and animals fighting for their lives here?
The Arch of Constantine, between the Colosseo and Palatine Hill.
SANTA MARIA DELLA VITTORIA, BERNINI’S ECSTASY OF SAINT TERESA.
Long second day at Rome took me to ride a bus from Colosseo to Santa Maria Della Vittoria (where my hostel’s a half an hour walk away, whew!). This church is relevant not only for its religious purpose but more so, it houses another Gian Lorenzo Bernini masterpiece. The intriguing sculpture of The Ecstasy of Santa Teresa. The chapel where FIRE, the third Altar of Science in Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons was designated fictionally.
Bernini’s The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, “a woman inflamed by passion’s fire”,“the most unfit ornament ever to be installed in a Christian church”, according to an English critic, who considered it as “pornographic”. One of the markers and Altars of Science – FIRE, in Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons. It is where one of the candidates to be the next Pope was hung from the ceiling and was burned alive in the novel and in the film adaptation.
Day 3 : CASTEL SANT’ANGELO AND THE VATICAN CITY.
With my Roma Pass still valid, I took the Metro from Roma Termini to Lepanto Station.
Alighted at Lepanto Station and walked towards left to Castel Sant’Angelo (about 15 to 20 minute-walk).
I used my Roma Pass to Castel Sant’Angelo (my second museum after my first – the Colosseo and Roman Forum).
Walked on Ponte Sant’Angelo towards an eatery and grabbed my brunch (20 Euros).
Walked back to Castel Sant’Angelo then to Vatican City.
Yey! I left Italy and I crossed the borders on foot to another country, the smallest country in the world – The Vatican City!
Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint Peter’s Square, access to the SISTINE CHAPEL (where photography and taking videos aren’t allowed due to legal rights awarded exclusively to Japan’s Nippon TV who provided a whopping USD 4.2M donation to restoration of Michelangelo’s larger than life mural) and the Vatican Museum were all appreciated from my pre-booked tour online with Maximus Tours whereby, I paid total of 25 Euros for a very informative and fun (however tiring at almost 3 hours!) Vatican Museum Tours. Highly recommended!
Castel Sant’Angelo. The Church of Illuminati where the 4 candidates to be the next Pope was held in captive in Dan Brown’s fictional novel and movie, Angels & Demons.
Ponte Sant’Angelo.
One of my favourite shots in Castel Sant’Angelo. What do you think?
A peek at the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica from Castel Sant’Angelo.
The poetic, Tiber River from Castel Sant’Angelo to Vatican City.
Never had I imagined I would be in the Holy See.
Thank you, Father God, Lord Jesus and God the Holy Spirit!
SAINT PETER’S BASILICA, SAINT PETER’S SQUARE, THE VATICAN MUSEUM AT THE VATICAN CITY.
From an hour spent at the colonnade of Castel Sant’Angelo, I walked my way to the Vatican City. I had pre-booked Vatican Museum Tour including access (to cut the queue) to Saint Peter’s Basilica with Maximus Tours and paid total of 25 Euros (also inclusive of fantastic and informative tour guiding with headsets).
AIR. One of Altars of Science in Angels & Demons located at Saint Peter’s Square.
Possibly the holiest of all tap water!
Inside the Vatican Museum gardens.
Hello, Vatican City!
Oh My God! The ceiling en route to the SISTINE CHAPEL! Divine!
As mentioned above, photography and taking videos are strictly prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel due to exclusive rights awarded to Nippon TV of Japan for their massive monetary contribution for the restoration of Michelangelo’s murals. I could sincerely say that my experience being inside the Sistine Chapel was one of the highlights not only of my 14-day trip to Italy but my entire life! It’s an early personal birthday gift to myself before I turn 40 this year! I remain thankful for all the blessings and even for life’s difficulties.
The expansive, Saint Peter’s Basilica!
I wonder how these pretty-faced Swiss guards of Pope, endure the Italian summer heat when they’re completely clad in their uniforms. Hats off to their dedication to secure the Vatican City and His Holiness!
Saint Peter inside His Basilica.
Michelangelo’s Pieta inside Saint Peter’s Basilica.
Those rays of the sun seemed like signs of blessings from above.
All photos above were taken using Fuji XA2. Here are some shots from my android phone :
Sadly, Rome’s Metro trains are vandalised as dirty as it looks.
I didn’t splurge much on food however, I didn’t miss to savor pizza, gelato, pasta and wines when I was in Rome!
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Piazza Navona, Roma. July, 2016.
I could not express my gratitude into few words that I got a chance to travel to Rome even for 3 days. I hope to return to the Eternal City in the near future!
Following my short days in Rome, I took a bus at 2AM to Napoli.
See you in Naples, Italy on my next blog post in this Italian Travel Blog Series!
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