10/3/2012 - The Crown Princess arrives in Rome, Italy - Roma

I have thought all weekend about how to write about Rome.  It is such an incredible city.  I've been 3 times, and I thought I had really experienced Rome enough.  I discovered on this trip, there is always more to see.  Even when you go to spot you've been before, you notice new things.  My advice for those of you who have been to Rome before and your cruise ends in Rome:  don't fly home that day, spend a couple days to explore Rome again.  That is just what we did, and I loved every minute of it.  It was especially delightful to experience it with ATP, AY, & SL since it was there first time in Rome.

ATP in our Courtyard room

First step is to get from the port of Civitavecchia where all cruise ships dock.  There are many ways to get in to Rome from the port city.  The ship offers buses & private transfers to your hotel or airport.  You can take the train or hire a private service.  We chose RomeCabs after reading about them on Trip Advisor. http://www.romecabs.com/   This was an excellent choice! As we disembarked the ship, there was our driver with a sign for us.  The 4 of us had booked rooms at Courtyard.

Amazing our female driver in high heels loaded our luggage in to this van by herself!  We offered to help and she declined saying that she does this every day.  She got us through traffic expertly (I do not advise driving in Rome yourself, they really drive crazy in this city!)  and to our hotel without incident.  After we got in to our rooms and settled it was off to do a walking tour with AY who had plotted out a route from our hotel to the Spanish Steps and other area's of interest.  (day 2 in Rome we had set up a private tour with RomeCabs with some of our other Crown Princess friends - more about that latter, because day 1 we were on our own).  

Our hotel was located close to the Gemelli Subway station, about two blocks, so we walked on over and caught the first train that was headed in to town.  Very easy to navigate where we wanted to go.  The subways are clean and well marked.  Steep escalators to get under ground and back up again , but well worth it.  

The city's various quarters are linked by large boulevards (large, at least, in some places) that have mostly been laid out since the late 19th century. Starting from the Vittorio Emanuele Monument,  there's a street running practically due north to Piazza del Popolo and the city wall. This is Via del Corso, one of the main streets of Rome -- noisy, congested, always crowded with buses and shoppers, and called simply "Il Corso." To its left (west) lie the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, and the Tiber. To its right (east) you'll find the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain.

First stop the famous Spanish Steps!  When you arrive at the Spanish Steps, it is a bit overwhelming and crowded with tourists, artists & locals going about their business.  But do not let that intimidate you.  Rome is a big city and very crowded at times.  Just take your time, people watch and enjoy the sites & sounds of the ancient city.  The Spanish Steps are a set of steps connecting the Piazza di Spagna at the base and the Trinita dei Monti church at the top. The stairway of 135 steps was built in 1723-25. It is now a major hang out for artists and tourist.  Stroll the area and enjoy the art.

The Marie Virgini Genitrici dei Ipsa Obelisk near the Spanish Steps

Pidgins have no respect!

From Pincian Hill, Spanish Steps in the background

 

This was the cool restaurant we found to have lunch in 

After spending a copious amount of time at the Spanish Steps, we began our Rome walk-about.  AY had laid out a map on his phone for us to follow.  We walked through many neighborhood Piazza's including the Piazza del Popolo with twin churches.  We got hungry along the way and had to stop for some pizza & pasta.  

We did NOT eat here but had a great laugh at the sign

Then it was off to find the mythical Giolitti - supposedly the BEST gelato in Rome, or so we were told.  After much searching, walking and asking people we finally found it.  Oh yes, it was totally worth the walk!!  You go in to the place and it is just packed with people.  You go to the cashier, and pay for one, two or three scoops.  They give you a chit to take to the gelato case, which has a HUGE selection, with several people working the gelato bar, things moved quickly.  After you pick your flavors, they take a chocolate dipped cone and put your gelato in it.  Then they put a big plop of fresh whipped cream on top!  Yummy

The line at Giolitti

After gorging ourselves on gelato, we made our way to the Trevi Fountain.  The is of course a must see when in Rome.  Like most of the famous sites, it is a tourist filled place but go anyway.  It is worth it.

typical street performer 

No pictures really do this magnificent fountain justice.  You can go on line and the the Trevi Fountain has it own website.  In this area, as in many touristy area's you will find street performers.  If you take their picture you must give them money - it is actually the law.  It's how they make a living so if you are intrigued or amused enough to take a photo, drop a few coins in the cup or you are likely to get a ticket!

Piazza Navona & the Fountain of Four rivers.  I really enjoy this area and all the artists you will find showing their paintings.  There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat in this area, from lunch or dinner to just a snack.  It is a great place to just wonder around and enjoy the Piazza, People and architecture.  Take your time and stroll the Piazza.  Find a nice place to people watch and enjoy some time in one of the most beautiful Piazza's in Rome.

Now we started to make our way back towards the hotel with a few stops along the way.  Everywhere you look in Rome, there is beautiful art, sculpture, fountains, architecture.  It can be overwhelming, that is why you need a few days in Rome to take it all in. 

On the Ponte Sant'Angelo bridge. Beautiful Statues line the sides

We managed to make it to the Tiber River around sunset, which was lovely.  By the time we got the subway back to the hotel, it was pretty late and we were all tired.  We picked up some food at a place near our hotel, and took it back to our room.  We grabbed plates and silverware from the little bar in the lobby.  We were exhausted after are all day walking tour of Rome, but happy with how much we saw and the weather was just perfect!  

It was off to bed at a reasonable time so we could get up and go on our planned all day tour the next day with 4 friends from the Crown Princess.  We new it was going to be a busy day.  My next blog will cover our day long travels with RomeCabs and our fabulous driver, Jon Lucas.  

When in Rome.....

Do this:  Go to the Spanish Steps

Eat this:  Gelato from Giolitti 

Make time for:  Strolling along the Tiber

Until Next time, 

Safe Travels!