Day 57 – 60: Rome

We have had a fantastic few days in Rome. Al and I have walked our little legs off! Although I’m sure Al could have walked a lot quicker if she wasn’t with me! I like to amble 😀

We have tried to make sure we are up and about early, the latest we’ve left has been 9am, this way we miss the worst of the crowds, and the heat.

On Sunday we went to the Forum, I have already been round inside so we just walked there and around without the full tour. We also didn’t go inside the Colosseum, again I’ve been in before and the queues for tickets was over 2hrs, and Al said she could do it next time. We had a lovely walk back through an area I haven’t seen before. I find that just by wandering you stumble upon places and things you haven’t seen before. Like the brilliant little Cat Sanctuary set amongst some ruins right in the heart of the city!

We came back to the apartment for lunch and sat out on our beautiful terrace eating gorgeous food looking at the rooftops of Rome! Bliss. Al and I were both in danger of falling asleep so I suggested a little stroll to the Campo De’fiori just outside the apartment, but we ended up walking across the river and exploring Trastevere! Which was wonderful. As it was a Sunday it was very busy with lots of locals out and about enjoying the sites and the sunshine! It’s lovely walking along by the Tiber under the shade of the trees and with the breeze coming off the river. We stopped on the way back at our usual spot in Campo De ‘ Fiori for an Aperol Spritz and some wonderful free nibbles.

On Monday we wanted to be out early to visit the Vatican, the queues get insane! We arrived at 8.30ish but still had to queue for about 40mins just to go through the security checkpoint. St Peters Basilica is simply breathtaking. The sculpture, the art, the architecture everything is stunning. It does however make you think about the obvious and conspicuous wealth of the Catholic Church. Al climbed up into the cupola, I have done this before and didn’t fancy doing all those steps again even if the view is spectacular. I had a mooch about watched the changing of the very fancy Swiss Guard then sent some postcards from the Vatican’s very own post office. After Al returned we walked to the Castel Sant Angelo and through a lovely shady park before walking back to the apartment along the River again, We had a quick stop in Piazza Navona where I had a delicious Vanilla Coffee, served by a very handsome waiter and paid €11 for the privilege! 😳It was yummy though! We had another lovely lunch on the terrace, I’d bought myself an Arancini Ball, which was unfortunately not great, but we had plenty of ripe juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, avocado, rice cakes and crisps!

In the afternoon we went in search of a nail shop (my nails needed doing, what can I say!) we found it, booked and appointment for Tuesday then found ourselves walking back via the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

We had a lovely stop at a restaurant just off the Campo De ‘ Fiori for cocktails and nibbles! It’s great sitting sipping your drink, mine was an Iced Italian Tea, eating free nibbles and people watching! Heaven.

We returned to our usual spot for dinner, I had a gorgeous bowl of fresh pasta with pesto, some wine and quite a few Limoncellos!! Al had a salad and also enjoyed a Limoncello, but was a bit more sensible than me! 😍😍A fun end to a fantastic day.

Today we wanted to try and get to the Trevi Fountain before the hordes descended! We got there by 8.30 but it was already busy. I have to say Al and I had the best time watching everyone. It is hysterical, I have never seen anything like it! So many girls and women arrived, dressed up to the nines, I’m talking cocktail dresses, high heels even some fishnet tights!! They then stand there posing, oh and what poses they Are 😳as if their on a fashion shoot taking 10000s of photos, they barely look at the bloody huge, stunning, work of art they are posing in front off. Honest to god it was like we’d stumbled onto the set of America’s next top Model only with people who had been rejected! It was hugely entertaining, especially if they sat on the Fountain and got whistled at by the police and guards!

After this we walked up to Quirinale and Via Veneto. I wanted to look in the Quirinale Gardens, well we thing we found them….it was very strange. There was a sign outside saying that the gardens were a gift for Rome and the World and there would be severe penalties for standing on flowers, littering etc. So we had high expectations, then we walked into a garden full of overgrown grass, litter, dead rose bushes and the only other flowers were on the weeds growing amongst the grass! Bizarre!

I have had my nails done now! They are very lovely.

Tonight is our last night here in Rome. Tomorrow we are heading to Florence.

Rome is most certainly one of my favourite places in the world, I could happily come here every year! There is just so much to see and experience. This is my 3rd visit and I feel I have only scratched the surface.

Ciao Bellas

Xxxx

Author: hereandthereclaire

Hi, my name is Claire and I am 60 years young, welcome to my blog. I am new to the whole travel and blog writing world, so no judging! I recently made some big life changes, leaving my job in education and moving myself and my younger children to Newquay in Cornwall, I then started a business with some fantastic friends #coffeeonthecornernewquay. And now I am about to embark on my first big travel adventure...I would love to share this with you. Since starting this blog in 2018 I have made more changes, and now in 2024 I will be traveling full time for the next year! Please join me in sharing my Big Adventure! ❤️ View all posts by hereandthereclaire