February 2008
Wow this entry goes some way back. Rome was the first stop of my first European holiday. We’d spent nearly a year planning this trip. That’s because
- we’re mad about planning
- it was a birthday vacation for the BF
- it was my first time in Europe!
The itinerary, over a 2-week period, departing from Singapore looked like this: Singapore –> Rome –> Monaco –> Cairo. There were surprises and a couple of bumps along the way, but all in all it was a wonderful vacation in the late winter season.
Let’s kick off with good ole Rome.
So Much History
Before this holiday, my knowledge of Rome was limited to what I could make out from “Roman Holiday” and “The Gladiator” and I knew a bit about gelato, espresso and The Pope.
Our direct flight from Singapore got us into Fumicino Airport at 6:30 in the morning. And the check-in at the hotel is for 2:00 pm. But the day before our departure, BF rang the hotel and they said we could check in at 10 am. Got to Hotel 47 [www.fortysevenhotel.com] at 8:00 am, dumped our luggage and decided to kill time with some sightseeing.
The hotel is in a prime location! And in the evenings, we had beautiful sunsets streaming into the balcony. Our room on the top floor (5th floor) overlooks a wide and busy street and I loved hearing the honking of cars and taxis, along with sirens from police cars and ambulance, as they pass by.
We were down the road from the Mouth of Truth, round the corner from Circus Maximus & Palatino, with the Colosseum not too far away.
Colosseum
The legendary, iconic monument was a 10-minute walk from the hotel and when we arrived around midday, there was quite a crowd, but it wasn’t overwhelmingly busy. We were approached by one of the many tour guides and agreed to a guided tour in English. The tour part costs an extra EUR 11/pax in addition to the entrance fee of EUR 9.
The guide spent a good 20 minutes outside the Colosseum, pointing out the architecture and offering historical information on the site. Each pillar outside was numbered, the way stadium gates are numbered these days. He pointed out that in Roman numerals, the original 4 was IIII and not IV. He said the Christians changed that, when they got to Rome. Go figure!
Inside the Colosseum, as much as it was run down it was still a sight to behold, and I let my imagination take over, and pictured what it was like back then with the Gladiators being the main spectator sport.
Spanish Steps
There’s always a buzz in this area. From the top of the steps, you get a good view of the cobblestone street ahead, which is lined with designer label stores; via Condotti and the streets adjoining to it make up the luxury center of Rome.
Trevi Fountain
It’s a popular tourist destination. When we got there, it was teeming with tourists taking photos, taking in the magnificent monument of Neptune, making wishes, and throwing their euro coins into the fountain.
Pantheon
This is my favorite structure in Rome, a very close second after the Colosseum. When we first got there, it was overcast and the BF suggested returning on a sunny day, and I was glad we did. Cos that’s when you see the sunlight filter through the glass opening in the dome. The dome itself is an impressive piece of architecture.
Vatican City
We went to St Peter’s Basilica on a Sunday! Didn’t plan it that way, and we’re not church-goers. Anyway, of course it was crowded on a Sunday. And we were there around noon, just after service. Managed to get into the Basilica which I find to be very opulent as a place of worship. Didn’t get to the rooftop, because the queue was too long. But the highlight is that from the top of the Basilica, you get a perfect view of the symmetry of St Peter’s square.
Vatican Museum
Went here on a weekday, arrived 30 minutes before it opened. And there was already a queue snaking around the corner of the museum. You need a lot of patience for this visit. There’ll be a congregation ahead of you walking too slowly and a bunch of people behind you who want to rush through the museum like they’re in a race!
The Sistine Chapel of course is a major highlight and I have no words for the artistic genius of Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement. To be able to see it with my own eyes, that was truly an experience I won’t forget.
Leonardo da Vinci
And speaking of genius, we were walking around one of the many Piazzas, I stumbled upon a sign that said The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci. It led us to an exhibition of reproductions of machines, inventions from da Vinci’s paintings and notebooks. That was a real treat.
Castel Sant’Angelo
This gem, across Tiber River was my super favorite find in Rome. We spotted it one evening when walking along the river, did some digging around the guide books then found out it was a castle that’s been turned into a museum. Right at the top of the castle, you are rewarded with another amazing view over Rome, with the Vatican to one side.
Italian Cuisine
Food was never an issue on the trip, there were plenty of good eating places, offering pizza, pasta, antipasti. In Singapore, you have to pay an obscene amount for juicy tomatoes, so we were delighted to have access to fresh caprese salads at anytime. And despite it being winter, we did make a stop for gelato.
On this trip I had my first taste of blood orange, rossa arancia as they were in season. It was love at first bite.
We managed to get a booking at La Pergola, which is the only Michelin 3-starred restaurant in Rome. This was my first experience with Michelin fine dining. It was an awesome treat, the restaurant is at The Hilton, which is located on a hilltop. The food, and service was faultless. The Amuse Bouche was aubergine served 4 ways, I don’t remember which way exactly. For appetizer, I went with squid ravioli, filled with pineapple juice, which delivered a refreshing burst of flavor. Main course was a dish of swordfish. I’d ordered dessert, not knowing complimentary petit fours would be on the way. Naturally, was super stuffed even before dinner was totally over.
Coffee Break
Right from the first day, we got into a routine of stopping at a square and dropping in for an espresso whenever we needed a perk me up, or just cos we felt like it. It was just one of the little things about Rome, which I loved a lot! And if you didn’t read it in the guide-book before you trip, you learn soon enough the espresso is cheaper if you’re standing by the counter, and cost about 4 times more if you get a table and they bring it to you.
Wardrobe Tip
As much as I love the look of cobblestone streets, I learnt on this trip, they are not friendly for heels! So the best bet, would be wedges. Since I was there in winter, and wore boots most of the time, the ones with chunky heels are a lifesaver.
NEXT STOP: VENETIAN SURPRISE
We had booked a 6-night’s stay in Rome. And then we realized we’d done all the sightseeing in 3 days. So one Sunday morning, BF had a look around on the internet, and decided we’ll go to Venice for a night. And so that was the start of another adventure. Details, in the next entry. Ciao!
Always Pack Heels 