ROME

Vatican Museum, Colosseum, and browsing around the Via Veneto area were great fun.

Quick Tips:

Do not even think about trying to drive in Rome!! Opt for a hotel near the city center or use taxis....otherwise you are taking your life in your hands! Also, be cautious when getting transportation from the airport--there are lots of con men who try to get passengers, and they are VERY aggressive!! Use only an official taxi, and remember it's about a 30 minute drive from the airport into the city.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking, taxis

The Colosseo is a truly awe-inspiring, magnificent structure which stands as one of Rome's greatest symbols. The Colosseum has been standing since AD 80, which in itself is amazing to me. ~~~~ Being inside the massive arena makes one reflect on all the gladiators and others who lost their lives there. We have all seen the exterior of the building, but many visitors are surprised by the interior floor--or lack thereof. Instead of a solid stone floor, the subfloor and its system of passageways is now prominently on display. ~~~~ There is a slight charge to tour the facility, but you can wonder around by yourself as long as you like, at least until dark. Wednesday and Sunday it's only open 9-1. ~~~~ Outside, you can meet the free-lance "gladiators" who will gladly pose for photos; they simply ask for a tip of about 10,000 Lire.

The Spanish Steps are a popular gathering place in Rome. You can reach them, as we did, by riding the subway. Although the Roman subway system is limited (it only has 2 lines due to so many underground artifacts), it can be quite useful. The night we visited, the square was packed with Romans drowning their sorrows after a rugby loss. ~~~~ The Steps themselves are beautiful, and got their name due to a Spanish ambassador's residence in the piazza. There is a beautiful fountain of a half-sunken boat at the base of the steps. This neighborhood is also home to exclusive restaurants and shops of Via Condotti. There is also a museum dedicated to Keats and Shelley in the square. ~~~~ Horse-drawn carriages frequent this area, and the drivers can be very persistent about giving you a "tour." If you do decide to indulge, set a price before leaving. One such buggy driver wanted over $100 for a very brief ride.

The Via Veneto is one of the more exclusive streets in Rome. Our tour guide had cautioned that to sit at an outdoor cafe along this street, a cappuccino would cost about $20. ~~~~ We found this to be a great exaggeration, and really enjoyed the relaxed but fun area. There are some nice little shops for buying souvenirs and wine along the street. The Hard Rock Cafe is located here, which is where we began our stroll. ~~~~ We met a really cool street artist and purchased some of his work. You can take a right as you exit the Hard Rock and walk along until you come to the subway, then hop on and go wherever. It's an easy and fun stroll.

The Vatican Museum is huge and overwhelmingly ornate. You could spend a week inside and not see everything. They have separated the collections into categories like Egyptian, Etruscan, modern religious, etc. to help you organize your time. We had a guide who sort of decided what we would see :) ~~~~ There are some wonderful artworks by Rafael, Fra Angelico, and more modern artists like Dali and Picasso. ~~~~ The highlight of the museum is definitely the Sistine Chapel. The ceiling, one of Michelangelo's masterpieces, was recently restored and the colors are truly breathtaking. There is also the wonderful and controversial rendering of The Last Judgment which takes up a whole wall. Definitely don't miss the Sistine Chapel!!