The Colosseum
Rome is a city and most popular tourist destination in Italy, and ranking as Europe’s 3rd of the most visited city in European union, and has plenty of historical place to offer; like monuments and museums.
On the 3rd of May this year, my husband and I went to visit Rome for the first time. As soon as we arrived, I saw awesome old architecture of the walls that serve as the passage for the vehicles. It pretty awesome and I got more and more excited. Buildings are also mostly old, and I can imagine history in every blocks. It’s just amazing!!!
The first day, we went to visit Spanish Steps, which unfortunately I only get a chance to take photo through my mobile phone.
Spanish Steps or so-called Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti in Italian has a monumental stairways of 135 and at the top of it is the Trinita dei Monti church. Scalinata (Spanish Steps) is the most widest staircase in Europe.
In front of the Spanish Steps is a beautiful fountain where most people go sit around the area. And just right in front of it is the Spanish steps with obviously has stairways that is way too many, and you can also see small but beautiful flower garden right into the middle. It is very beautiful no wonder why many people used to sit and occupied all the areas that supposed to be for walking. It’s beautiful view from the top. Along the streets are local and international shops/brands that you’ll most probably enjoy (if you love shopping). And if you do love eating and trying their delicate then you don’t have to go far from Spanish Steps and shops; the restaurants are just behind the boutiques/shops. They are usually in every small streets. The foods are great and it is very nice to sit outside to feel the scenery, except that the cars are also passing through small streets so just so you know.
The only thing I do not like about the place is that those flower vendors who used to trick couples. They will offer you roses, and they just keep forcing everyone to take it from them.
Note: that is not for free. They will tell you the word “It’s okay, I give it to you.”And if you accept it, and take it then they will follow you and ask you to pay for the flowers.
In that case, situation gets so annoying and very uncomfortable, specially for tourist. So just be ware. They are not scam but the way they pushed and trick people in order to sell something isn’t right at all.
The Spanish Steps,Rome Italy
The Fountain In Front of Spanish Steps.
Sorry about the quality of these two photos.
We went back to the hotel early to get some rest, because we are so tired from our flight and we wanted to wake the next morning as early as possible to go in more attractions that a city of Rome can offer.
The Colosseum Rome, Italy
Inside view of the Colosseum.
The next day, we went to visit the famous “Colosseum”. It was great weather, and very ideal for walking and looking around the area. We decided to get into a group of people and tour guide for 50 Euros (For both of us) We didn’t have to go on the line and wait to get inside. So according to our tour guide; the Colosseum used to have roof. The purpose of the roof is not for whole arena but only to cover the seats for the viewers during Gladiatorial Contests, and any other events they have long time ago. On the ground at the middle of Colosseum, they used to put sands in order to suck the blood of those who fought, died, and wounded fighters.
We visited Julius Caesar Forum, where he was assassinated and stabbed to death by the group of one senator (I forgot the name). The reason why they assassinated him was because he wanted more power. He has many ranks like general,etc, but he wanted more than that and so senators planned the assassination, and according to the tour guide; Julius Caesar son was one of them.
Julius Caesar Forum
Julius Caesar Forum
The next thing we visited after the forum of Julius Caesar was just some park nearby. It’s was really nice, when we suddenly ended up in one park with overlooking view of the Colosseum. People there in the park are partying, singing, playing volleyball, and some old people play some of their musical instrument with their friends, while drinking alcohol. They look happy, and I never saw anything like that. They are just enjoying, and honestly it looks lovely. Young and old people are together having fun.
The Park with Over-looking view of the Colosseum where people used to party with their friends.
We also ended up with this small passage with green grass all over the building, and when you goes through that; you can see one big University right at the top; It is called Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza – Facoltà di Ingegneria.
Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza – Facoltà di Ingegneria
Okay so that is how our second day was well spent.
The third day was rainy so we are kind of lucky that we booked “Shopping Tour”, the day before. Shopping tour was really a great timing because the weather wasn’t really for walking or looking around the city. So in the morning of third day while raining, my husband and I woke up early and prepared our wallets for shopping. Shopping tour is a minimum of 3-4 people I guess, and maximum of 8 person. The service van/car picked us up at 12:00 noon, and we went to other hotel to pick another people who also went shopping that day. We were total of six person that day. We drove for 30 minutes outside the city, and the driver brought us to the Shopping Outlets. He dropped us by the entrance and told us to meet us there around 5;30 in the afternoon.
That was pretty much time to shop. Pretty much time than money, actually. (Giggles) The scenery in the area was really great for shopping. Although, the only disappointment in that area were the restaurants/food-court. Foods were not good. Well, we didn’t go there to eat anyway, but of course people got tired of shopping too, but food were really not good.
So okay back to the story. When we booked to our hotel reception this “Shopping tour”, you actually get the brochure from them. You only have to keep it and give it to the information desk in the shopping outlet, and they will give you discount card worth 10%, which is pretty much useful in most shops. Imagine the outlet price itself has totally discount from 30% – 70% plus the discount card worth 10%. What more can you ask for?
So shopping went well actually. We did great, and not only me, but my husband got good stuffs for himself too. Really, I recommend you guys to take “Shopping Tour”, when you visit Rome.
I got this cute comfy footwear “Baldinini Trend”.
I got my new bag collection “Michael Kors”. So I have to cross out one from my Wish List.
I also got something from Guess, other shoes, and many more. I just didn’t have the chance to take photo of them. But they are nice and worth it. My husband got something from Calvin Klein,mostly.
So on our last day was again a little bit raining. But since that was our last day and we haven’t seen other historical places in Rome; we decided to go, despite of the weather. We visited “Pantheon”. It is one of best-preserved buildings and has been used as Roman catholic Church dedicated to “St. Mary and the Martyrs”. The square in front of Pantheon where you can see many restaurants is called Piazza della Rotonda.
As you enter the Church you will see the small open circle on the ceiling that is giving light during sunny day and also rain drops during rainy days. When we were there it was raining, and rainfalls goes through that small open on the ceiling. I don’t know exactly how is it called, and what is that for exactly, but it is nice. The architecture is nice.
Small Open On The Ceiling.
Great Architecture Inside Pantheon
The next stopped that day is the “Fontana di Trevi Rome”. In this Fountain, people throws coins to fulfill their wishes, and when their wishes are fulfilled they have to come back to the fountain.
Honestly, I felt bad because I was there and haven’t got a chance to throw a coin and make wishes. (Sigh) It’s so stupid of me. It was because the weather was bad, and slippery everywhere and I didn’t even think about throwing a coin and make wish; and so does my husband. He did not. Pity!!! It’s no harm in trying, and to believe too. So maybe next time.
Fontana di Trevi Rome
After Fontana di Trevi, we ride on the taxi to “Vatican or Vatican City”. The Vatican City is the world’s smallest state ruled by the Bishop of Rome (The Pope).
As a Catholic, it is one of wish to finally step on the Vatican City (To see the Pope too, if possible) ; to see what I have seen only on the television before and now, I finally been there. It is very nice there, but unfortunately we didn’t get inside because of a huge line of people who wanted to see what’s inside. So we only get to see the outside. But that’s okay, I am happy to see it in real.
After we look around the area, I went to buy some souvenirs for my mother in-law and my mother who lives in the Philippines. My mom is a catholic and I am sure she is going to be happy to what I am going to give her. (Hope so) But my mother in-law, I wasn’t really sure about it for first, but I bought it and she likes it. So it’s great.
The Vatican City
Small Fountain in Vatican
After a few souvenir shopping, we went to “Castel Sant’ Angelo or Castle of a Holy Angel”. The Castle was once the tallest building in Rome.
Castel Sant’ Angelo Rome
The Tiber River Rome
I can’t really say much about this Castle so if you would like to see some information then Click here!
So that is how we spent our few days trip in Rome, Italy. It was great and hopefully next time I get a chance to finally throw a coin in Fontana di Trevi and fulfill my wishes. Have a great day!!!
Anickaworld 