Rome - What took me so long!
Arriving at Ciampino Airport, we were greeted by the early morning Italian sunshine. Our waiting taxi driver had a smile and a “Buongiorno,” Italian for "good morning." My Italian isn't up to scratch, but I knew the basics, and with the driver's English being decent, we chatted all the way to the city. We discussed football and my inability to get tickets to the AS Roma v Juventus game. “No chance, all sold, big match,” he said. Well, there was a chance, but €600 for a ticket was well beyond my budget for this trip. More on that later.
We arrived at the Hotel Pace Helvezia and were warmly welcomed at the reception. After dropping off our bags, we headed straight to the roof terrace. And oh my word, let’s get into this!
As we wandered through Rome, it felt like we were in an open-air museum. Passing by the Pantheon on our way to find a street café, we sat and soaked in the Italian sunshine.
On we wandered through narrow streets, away from the regular tourists, as you always stumble upon hidden gems this way. Every corner revealed something new to widen your eyes even further. Whether it’s the buildings, the cars, or the people, I was fully engrossed, soaking it all in.
Lunch was at an old street café on a busy street — one of those small places with a couple of tables, probably frequented only by locals. Perfecto.
Mid-afternoon, we set off towards the Colosseum, tickets in hand. We marvelled at the outside before venturing inside, with memories of the Gladiator film in full flow. Inside or outside, this place is something to behold. This is Rome.
On this occasion, there was no Maximus fighting in the arena, much to my disappointment, but you could feel how it must have been back in time at a full arena.
The late afternoon was spent just wandering because that's what Rome is for — roaming around and seeing what the next thing will be that amazes you.
As evening closed in on us, feeling pretty tired from a long day, we made our way back to the hotel via a local bar for a couple of nightcaps to ease us into sleep.
Day 2
Awakening to the sounds of the Italian streets, the shutters were pushed back to let in the air and light of a new day.
Clear blue skies greeted us as we made our way to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, with an obligatory stop at our new local café for coffee and some people-watching first.
From Palatine Hill, you really feel what Ancient Rome must have been like at the height of the empire. Yes, I was already fully in love with Rome.
The views across to Circus Maximus and back were just incredible.
Back into the city and, yes, we were clocking up the steps big time. A quick stop for lunch led us past the tourist hotspots of the Trevi Fountain and Palazzo Navona.
After a bit of retail therapy and staring at the Italians and how cool they dress, we popped by our local pub for light refreshments. While here, I asked about the Roma v Juventus game being shown on the TVs. The response? "We’re fully reserved tonight!" Nightmare! My sad English eyes drooped, but then I got the response I wanted: they would sort us a table for the evening game. Yes!
Quick power nap, and back to THE pub for the game. Full of Roma fans, we took our seats at our reserved table. The game was a bit dour, to be fair, but after the game, it turned into full party mode with music and karaoke! It was wild — like being back in a pub in England in the 90s. I think I overdid it with the beers, or maybe it was the overload of walking, but I slept like a king that night.
Day 3
The eyes gingerly opened. Aching legs and organs, but this was our last day in Rome. A quick trip up to the roof terrace for fresh air and to rewire the brain, and there it was: the idea. Let's get a hop-on, hop-off bus. See the city and at least sit down, or get over the mild hangover.
A visit to our local café for a couple of coffees to kick us back into gear, and on the bus we went.
To be fair, this was probably the best way to see what we hadn’t already seen, with Vatican City high on the list. Top deck and cruising through the streets of Rome gives you a different perspective of your surroundings.
Now, one thing I did notice while being in Rome was the amount of police on duty, day and night. Maybe it’s the visible deterrent we need back in the UK, as I felt safe the whole time we were in Rome.
The Vatican City, like all of central Rome, is absolutely awe-inspiring. The size and, for me, the cleanliness of the place were incredible. Well, it should be, to be fair.
Back on the fun bus, we stopped at various locations on this circular route around Rome, with constant oohs and aahs at the sights around us.
As evening approached, we found a small, family-run restaurant up a quiet side street. It was the perfect last meal in Rome for us.
A wander back across the city to see the Roman Colosseum one last time in the evening light, and Rome certainly was a city to behold.
I certainly couldn’t mention everything we saw and did in this blog — it would take too much time. Rome certainly left us wanting more. I could visit again, stay at the same hotel, sit at the same café, eat ice cream on the same steps, walk the same streets, and never get bored.
Maybe that’s why it’s called the Eternal City.
Rome — we loved you.
Maybe you will too.