Rome in a Day

Rome at the end of the day 

In my last blog I mentioned a company called RomeCabs.  I highly recommend them if your time in Rome is short, they can take you on their 'Rome in a Day' tour and you can see most of the major sites. The tour for 8 is 450 Euro total, so about 56 Euro each + tip, + if you hire a private guide for the Vatican, which we did, it is extra.
Here is there web address:   http://www.romecabs.com/tours/rome-in-a-day/
Here is what it includes:
Pyramid of Caius Cestio -- Pantheon -- St. Peter’s Basilica  -- Sistine Chapel -- Vatican Museum

• Vittorio Emanuele Monument -- Roman Forum -- Colosseum  -- Circus Maximus --Trevi Fountain

They will pick up up at your hotel at 9 am and it is a full day until 5:30 pm.  I arranged this tour and got 6 friends from Crown Princess to join us including AY & SL, who by the time we hit Rome had be come great friends of ours!

Our guide & driver, Jon Lucas was absolutely fantastic!  If you decided to use RomeCabs, see if you can request him!  He made our day very special.  

First stop, the famous ancient Roman Pyramid built for Caius Cestio.The pyramid was built approximately 18 BC-12 BC as a tomb for Gaius Cestius Epulo, a well to do Roman magistrate and is one of the most well preserved ancient buildings in Rome

Next up the Colosseo or Colosseum, the iconic symbol of Rome.  Jon Lucas guided us through the crowds to the skip the line area for tour guides.  Another reason to hire RomeCabs.  The time you save is well worth it.  Once you get your tickets you can go inside and visit the interior of the most famous elliptical amphitheater ever build.  The Colosseum was built in 72 AD.

This site is amazing!  This was my second time seeing it, and honestly I enjoyed it more the second time around.  The first time I was so in awe of it, I do not think I was really able to soak it all in.  This time it felt like I had the time to slowly survey my surroundings once inside - magnificent!

From the Coliseum you can also see the Arch of Constantine, the elaborateVictory Arch of the 4th century AD emperor that made Christianity legal during the pagan times when Christians were persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Next up -Capitol Hill  where the view is of the entire Roman Forum, a stunning portion of the Palatine Hill, and the Coliseum in the distance.   This is a great photo spot before walking in to the ruins for a good look around

These great pictures are by AY and his magic camera!

The Pantheon is the best preserved of all ancient Roman buildings, and the oldest standing domed structure in Rome as well as in continuous use throughout its history.  And it was our next stop!When you look up to the center of the coffered dome, you’ll see the oculus(Latin for ‘eye’) that has always been open to nature’s elements, allowing rain to enter and fall to the floor, where it is then carried away through drains below. You may remember this from The Da Vinci Code :-)

A little Lunch then off to the Vatican.  

Typical Pizza bar

And that my friends will be a whole blog entry unto itself, as it should be.

Do This:  The Colosseum & go inside!  It's not enough to just see the outside, magnificent as it is!

Until Next time,

Safe Travels