HoboDrifter

Ok, get all the Anchorman jokes out now (I just did, so that will be the end of it, deal). The one thing you notice or hear about Rome is how much there is to see, that is very true. If you prioritize and figure out exactly what you want to see, even if it’s a genre such as architecture or ruins then you’ll feel a lot better when you don’t see it all. My stay lasted roughly 4 days and I’m pretty content with the amount of sights I saw, and even got to enjoy some quiet time in the outskirts of town. I’ll spare you the rambling of everything you could potentially see and let the Rick Steves’ or Lonely Planet handle that for you. I’ll give a quick rundown of what I really enjoyed and you can go from there.

Let’s talk ruins and ancient Rome, anyone who watches the HBO series will love this part of the city. Without question you need to see the symbol of Rome… the Colosseum. It truly is quite the sight to see and for being practically abandoned for hundreds of years it’s surprising how much is left. Take note of the holes everywhere along the Colosseum, this is where metal was raked out by those left here to suffer during the hard times. You have to get your metal for weapons and coins somewhere, right? This is actually a prominent feature throughout the entire antiquity area. Which leads us perfectly into the next area to check out, all of the ancient ruins, The Ancient Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. You can get a day ticket for all three for only 12€, or even take an offer from one of the millions of tour guides asking you to join their tour anytime you step within 100 yards of the Colosseum (I paid 20€ for a tour and entry, not too bad). Be sure to browse around for someone who is desperate to give tours, don’t be afraid to haggle either to get a great price. That covers a big part of what to see in Rome from the early 1st and 2nd centuries AD.

Let’s move into architecture, you know I’d love to. I would make time to see this sight any day of the week, which is why I saw it three days in a row to be exact… The Pantheon. A simple design for this day and age, but for over 2 thousand years it remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. A large oculus opens to the sky in the center creating a great place for light to play along the interior of the rotunda. An architect’s special dream… you have to check this out, and it’s free. I was even lucky enough to stumble across it one evening when a concert was taking place, I couldn’t have asked for much more. Upon departing the Pantheon, be sure to hit up a couple gelaterias. Specifically Giolitti and Gellateria della Palma (which has over 100 flavors, amazing!). Ok, the fat kid inside all of us has been satisfied, for the time being, onward to the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). A short jaunt from the Pantheon, the fountain is at the junction of three roads, marking the terminal point of the “modern” Acqua Vergine, the revivified Aqua Virgo, one of the ancient aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome. A very beautiful baroque fountain that is guaranteed to be packed with tourists at almost any time of the day… except early in the morning on a Sunday for a fact, I drifted by and was one of the few people soaking in the sounds of flowing water. Heading just past the fountain, you run into the Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti (Spanish Steps). Now you must be thinking, what is so great about a set of steps? It happens to be the longest and widest staircase in Europe and a rather magical gathering place that allows the people watcher in all of us to come out in rare form. If you happen to visit during a big football (soccer) or rugby match you will get the full effect of Italian pride. The last trip you need to make is to Vatican City. Home of the Capella Sistina (Sistine Chapel) and Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Basilica). These two speak for themselves once you enter. It may be that I’ve been desensitized to cathedrals, yet St. Peter’s came across as beautiful, and almost too lavish, border line gaudy. I’ll leave that for you to decide on your own. After winding through a maze of various art pieces and sculptures known as the Vatican Museum, you finally arrive at the Sistine Chapel. This is a small box, with the beauty lying solely in some of the most incredible artwork you could imagine… not to mention it’s done on the ceiling. Be careful when you snap photos, soak it in then try to snap some pics, because there is a good chance you’re getting kicked out if they see you. Oh yeah, the Vatican is free on the last Sunday of every month, plus you can catch a glimpse of the Pope if you’re around St. Peter’s about noonish.

That pretty much raps up the majority of Rome. Once last thing I would do if you have some time to kill, which I always recommend, is to venture outside the main city center and explore some of the green space and various hills that lie across the Tiber River. Just south of Palatine Hill are the remains of the former Cricus Maximus, you can almost see Judah Ben Hur struggle to victory in the famed chariot race of the 1959 classic film. This is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the present day Rome. Whatever it is that you choose to do, I’m sure you won’t run out of things to do, so go out and enjoy this city built on ancient ruins.