The Vatican
The second last leg on my 50th celebration six week holiday had us in Rome. Glorious Rome.
The natives were very friendly as they were all over Italy and as was the red wine!! A wonderful trip with great food and adorable landscapes we arrive on this last leg of Italy into its capital. Teeming with tourists we plied our way through the hordes to visit the Vatican (at least an hours wait to get inside) and Castle St Angelo, St Peter’s Basilica, the colosseum, The Pantheon and last but not least the shopping! Italians know how to shop and know how to give you a quality product especially in leather… ohh the shoes!! Its a toss up between the red wine and the shoes which holds 1st place in my memory 🙂
We entered Rome via the railway system which as I have said before is outstanding. You can go anywhere pretty much by train, they do run on time and are quite comfortable. A lovely way to see everyday life is in a train with Italians all around, watching the countryside rush by.
The Pantheon Rome
We stayed in the Campo de’Fiori which I have to say was the best spot in the whole of Rome, right outside the door practically was the market place with lovely restaurants only a short walk away in the cobblestone piazzas and not too far from that the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain and not to forget the Spanish Steps.
The Pantheon Rome
It was the middle of summer and I remember how hot it was. our apartment unfortunately was at the top of a very steep staircase on the 4th or so level, it felt like the 50th! Our bags at this sage were at least 30kg. The poor man who showed us to our apartment was such a gentleman he took both bags up and I think it almost killed him. We didn’t have air conditioning which was something we should have looked at beforehand as it was very, very hot (have I mentioned that already). It was July. The apartment was picked because of its view over the rooftops of Rome, I would have selected air conditioning and less stairs instead of a view in a heartbeat!
Other than that the trip was great. I had been years before but being a Contiki trip, of course I didn’t remember a thing! Other than the heat, a wonderful adventure!
My previous posts – Trip of a Lifetime I – Paris, Trip of a Lifetime II – Provence and Trip of a Lifetime III – Lake Como, Trip of a Lifetime IV – Venice, Trip of a Lifetime V – Cinque Terre & Trip of a Lifetime VI – Sienna, Tuscany.
daysandmonths 
Looks like you had a great trip. I have travelled around much of Italy, mostly driving around, staying in some wonderful hotels – but I have never been to Rome! One day I have to change that ☺️
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It was lovely but very, very busy. Maybe go not at peak season, too many people. I loved the country areas mostly and would dearly love to go back but spend more time of course! I hope you get to go to Rome, its worth it but the country areas are just as nice!
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Oh, I always go out of season Orr ver early or late in the season!
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Amazing history. A wonderful experience for you and great photos! What was your favourite part?
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Thanks so much. I liked the Pantheon and the Vatican best, which I would like to see again but at a quieter time with less people. Id like to go back and just sit at a restaurant and people gaze without feeling I needed to rush off somewhere. Have you been?
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To the north of Italt but not to Rome. People watching with an aperitivo in Verona was s9mething I really enjoyed
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Great photos. I’ve only been to Rome once but I’m desperate to go back. My husband and I loved our time in Rome. The Pantheon was one of my favorite spots. We would pop in there after a full day of walking and touring the sites to rest our weary feet and have a moment of calm.
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Thanks L aura, yes I’d like to see the Pantheon again in a quieter time, it was lovely in there and that dome! Id like to go back to Rome again too but not at peak season for a less hurried look 🙂
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Lovely selection of photos. I like what catches your eye, things I wouldn’t think about, yet your photos really interest me. I guess that is a sign of a good photographer, isn’t it!
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of course it is Claudette lol thanks so much. I often see photos and I think the same thing and chastise myself for not ‘seeing” what they see, so I appreciate your comments a lot 😉
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Thanks for the revisit to The Eternal City, Kaz. At one stage we didn’t know if the Italians had discovered air-conditioning! Always love your photos 🙂
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haha I don’t think they have discovered it but we were told it was going in “in a few days” which didn’t help us! Thanks Ken very much 🙂
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Great photos Kaz! I can just imagine the heat and the crowds, never been to Rome, though I’d love to , but visited Italy a couple of times for holidays, definitely need to return out of season! I’ve just finished reading a marvellous novel by Sarah Dunant – Blood & Beauty, all about the Borgias so your images have brought that very much to mind!
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Thanks Jane, Id like to go back again but there are so many places to see for the first time. One thing that did strike me was that Rome has a river but doesn’t utilise it like Paris does which is a shame but the wine ….. well 🙂
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Ah yes Kaz , the wine …. !! I loved Italy but at the time we had to go during high season and it spoiled the big visits to Florence etc. Off season only for me!
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Your beautiful photos reminded me our grand one week tour in Rome of our first three -week Italy trip. I’ve been back to Italy a few other time, but haven’t been back to Rome since. I love these photos, Kaz. 🙂
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Thank you to Jane Morley for discovering me this stunning blog!! I’ll follow your posts every day.
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Thanks so much for your lovely comments and your follow. Very much appreciated! Janes blog is stunning isn’t it. I’m so glad to have found her.
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I remember Roma well too!! Beautiful reminders Kaz!
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Thanks Cybele 😊
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Gorgeous images! Like something straight out of a travel magazine!
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Oh Lisa the biggest compliment of them all, I wish. Thanks so much 🙂
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