I could never have stayed at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria on my salary but was fortunate to enjoy our last evening in Rome here due to the generosity of my good friend and travel companion. Pure luxury and unparalleled service is all I can say. We also enjoyed rock star style in room dining and a gorgeous view of the city. A great end to a great trip and if it’s within your budget, […]
Rome’s most famous steps, the Spanish Steps, are also known as Scalinata Spagna. Not only one of Rome’s most popular gathering places for tourists and locals, the steps are also one of the longest and widest staircases in all of Europe. 135 steps link the lower Piazza di Spagna with the upper Piazza Trinità dei Monti and its magnificent church. At the base of the steps is the fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia (“Fountain of the Ugly Boat”). […]
The Roman Forum was the central area of the city around which ancient Rome developed. Here was where commerce, business, prostitution, cult, religious activities, and the administration of justice took place. I found it to be a little disappointing. The buildings are a hodgepodge of old and new and, although it was part of our Colosseum tour, it was not that interesting to me.
The Colosseum was amazing to visit but I cannot even begin to comprehend what actually went on here back in the day. Originally named The Flavian Amphitheatre, it was once used to entertain the public with free games and could accommodate more than 55,000 spectators. Games were held for a whole day and started with comical acts and ended with fights to the death between animals and gladiators who were usually prisoners or slaves. Archaeologists believe […]
The Capuchin Crypt or “Church of the Bones” is located near the Piazza Barberini under the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini in Rome. It contains the skeletal remains of 3,700 Capuchin friars buried by their order. While it’s not meant to be macabre, it’s comprised of six separate chapels each containing thousands of bones displayed in various ways. Some are nailed to the walls in intricate patters, there are full skeletons mummified in their […]
Although you are not supposed to take photos inside the Sistine Chapel…I have been known to sometimes break a rule or two (not proud….just saying). From my lap with my lens pointing up, I managed to get just this one photo. Not too bad for a lap shot don’t you think? The crowds can be a bit overwhelming and being herded into the room a bit underwhelming but despite all that, once inside, it’s absolutely […]
Magnificent is the one word I would use to describe St. Peters Cathedral. With the largest interior of any Christian church in the world (holding up to 60,000 people), it is truly a site to behold. You could very easily spend an entire day here and whether you choose to explore every nook and cranny of beautiful religious artwork and history or just sit in quiet solice you will not be disappointed. My personal two favorites are […]
No trip to Rome would ever be complete without a visit to Vatican City and the Vatican Museum. Some people travel there for that reason alone. This was actually my second trip; my first being when I was just sixteen years old. I have to say, I enjoyed it much more this time and was more interested in the ancient art and history than I was back then. We spent the better part of the […]