Rome Things to Do Tips by stiab3

The Vatican's finest The Vatican Review

We started off on a bus tour which had a stop near the vatican.

After disembarking from the coach we entered the Vatican area into St. Peter’s Square. Here you can see the vastness of St. Peter’s Basilica – very impressive! We decided to take the trip up to the dome, so we had to queue, then pay for the lift which only took you part way up, to the roof. There were still 323 steps beyond that to get to the dome. It was worth it, the view from up there is indeed spectacular! You can see so much of Rome from that high up.

On the way back down, we stopped at the gift shop on the roof and bought and sent a few postcards. Then we went back down to ground level and explored the inside of St. Peter’s. I thought about going to the grottoes (where the popes are buried) but the line was too long. As we were leaving, we saw the changing of the special Vatican guards.

Rome's most famous fountain Trevi Fountain Review

It is without doubt the most famous fountain in Rome. The imaginative concept, the theatrical composition, the sober and imposing beauty of the sculptured marble figures make it a true masterpiece both of sculpture and of architecture.

Spanish Steps Piazza di Spagna - Spanish Steps Review

Quite a busy place - full of people when I visited.

Piazza at the foot of the Spanish Steps, "Scalla di Spagna", also known as the "Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti". Design of the steps finished by Francesco de Sanctis after generations of controversy. The church at the top of the Steps is the Trinita dei Monti, founded by the French in 1495.

One of the 7 hills of Rome Quirinal Hill Review

The Quirinal Hill is one of the seven hills, at the north-east of ancient Rome. It is also the name of the official residence of the Italian Head of State, who resides in the Quirinal Palace.

Today the Palazzo hosts the offices and the apartments of the Head of State, and in its long side along via XX Settembre (the so-called Manica Lunga), the apartments that were appositely arranged, decorated and furnished for each visit of foreign monarchs or equivalent authorities.

Architectural Wonder Pantheon Review

This was undergoing some repairs and so there was a fantastic scaffolding tower to one side.That was pretty impressive as scaffolding goes. The building itself was fantastically preserved. Apparently it's in the best condition of the domed structures from its period. Architecturally it's spectacular because of the large dome - the largest masonry vault ever built.

The ruined city Ostia Antica Review

We spent a whole day roaming through the ruins of Ostia Antica. Ostia Antica is an ancient Roman City which became buried in silt cause of a shift in the River Tiber. This city was once at the mouth of the River but is now some 3km from the sea (and still next to the river). Ostia Antica now serves as one of the best examples of a ruined city.

It was quite interesting walking through the ruins. A bit like a treasure hunt as we looked for particular 'gems' by reading the guide book and following the map.

Coliseum/Colosseum Colosseum Review

Coliseum – one of the most famous site in Rome. The first visit to it, we looked around the outside of it and wondered around the nearby Arch of Constantine. But on the 2nd visit we went inside.

As with other attractions in Rome, it was lacking in information. Nothing to tell you what was what. You were just left to wonder around. Guess they wanted people to get the audio guide.

At the Colosseum, there was a video art exhibition at the time we were there. This was called 'Resounding Arches' by Gary Hill. It consisted of a holographic-looking projection of a persons playing various sized horns. This was accompanied by the sound of the horn as person turned. Quite spooky but quite entertaining.

They were about 4 or 5 of these in various arches throughout the amphitheatre.

The pic is of one of these images (cause everyone already knows what the colosseum looks like)

St. Angelo's Castle Castel Sant'Angelo Review

This castle is connected to the Vatican by a wall with a passage. Apparently, it's meant to be an escape route should the Vatican be under attack. It was originally built as a mausoleum to Hadrian - so it's really a large tomb. It has a large sculpture of an angel with a sword on the top and we were able to go up there. More stairs, but also another spectacular view of Rome.