Day 8: Venice to Rome

Past medieval hillside villages and through the Apennines Mountains, we travel south to the fabled Seven Hills of Rome. Do as the Romans do and stroll past the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Later be delighted by your first glimpse of the Colosseum on our sightseeing tour.

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It's hard to say what you'll find most breathtaking about the eternal city - the arrogant opulence of the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of a Fiat Bambino, the millions of cats in the Colosseum, trying to cross a major intersection, or the bill for your latte.

Today also we started our day quite early. 7.00 a.m breakfast and 7.30 a.m departure. Today we drove through Apennines Mountains.

The Apennines, a southern leg of the European Alps, run North and South through the entire length of Italy. The range is 840 miles long, and averages 80 miles wide and 4,000 feet high. Its highest peaks are less than 10,000 feet, and has one small glacier called "Ghiacciaio del Calderone" situated in the "Gran Sasso" Massif between "Corno Piccolo" and "Corno Grande". It is the southernmost glacier in Europe. In some locations the eastern slopes descend steeply to the Adriatic coast.

There are many mineral springs throughout the range, as well as a volcano, Vesuvius (4,202 ft.). That rises near Naples and has been active throughout history.

The highest peaks of the range are located in the Central Apennines, particularly in a massif just northeast of Rome called Gran Sasso d'Italia. Corno Grande (9,554 ft.), is one of many high peaks of this massif, and is the highest peak of the Apennines.

Italy's best valleys and harbors are on the western slopes of the Apennines. The Italian peninsula faced west, not east. For a long time, therefore, culture in Italy lagged behind that of Greece because cultural contact was long delayed.

Rome, according to legend, was built on seven hills. These hills rise from the marshy lowlands of the Campagna and are mostly on the left bank of the Tiber River. They include the Quirinale (seat of the modern Italian government), Esquiline, Viminal, Caelian, and Aventine -- and all combine to form a crescent-shape plateau of great historical fame. In its center rises the Palatine Hill, the all-powerful seat of the imperial residences of ancient Rome, which looks down on the ancient Forum and the Colosseum. To the northwest rises the Capitoline Hill. Some historians have suggested that Rome's geography -- set above a periphery of marshy and swelteringly hot lowlands -- contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire because of its propensity to breed malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

The modern city of Rome is composed of 22 districts, covering an area of nearly 26 sq. km (10 sq. miles). The Tiber makes two distinct bends within Rome, below Ponte Cavour, one of the city's major bridges, and again at the history-rich island of Tiberina.

With bloodlines that include virtually every race ever encompassed by the borders of the ancient Roman Empire, the people of Rome long ago grew accustomed to seeing foreign influences come and go. Picking their way through the architectural and cultural jumble of Rome, they are not averse to complaining (loudly) of the city's endless inconveniences, yet they are the first to appreciate the historical and architectural marvels that surround them. Cynical but hearty and warm, modern Romans propel themselves through life with an enviable sense of style.

The crowds of pilgrims and the vast numbers of churches and convents exist side by side with fleshier and more earthbound distractions, the combination of which imbues many Romans with an overriding interest in pursuing the pleasures and distractions of the moment. This sense of theatricality can be seen in Roman driving habits; in animated conversations and gesticulations in restaurants and cafes; in the lavish displays of flowers, fountains, food, and architecture, the nation's trademark; and in the 27 centuries of building projects dedicated to the power and egos of long-dead potentates.

Despite the crowds, the pollution, the heat, and the virtual impossibility of efficiency, Romans for the most part take life with good cheer and pazienza. Translated as "patience," it seems to be the frequently uttered motto of modern Rome and an appropriate philosophy for a city that has known everything from unparalleled glory to humiliation and despair. Romans know that since Rome wasn't built in a day, its charms should be savored slowly and with an appreciation for the cultures that contributed to this panoply.

All roads lead to Rome and traffic congestion is something you need to deal with in modern city of Rome. One thing that you cannot prepare for is the traffic in Rome. No matter what you have heard of, until you see it for yourself you won't really understand how bad the traffic is. In fact, it is not just bad, it is scary!!!!

If you have nerves of steel and reflexes like a cat, then you should fell quite at home on the roads of Rome. However, if you are anything other than a professional Formula One or bumper car driver, then you should avoid driving in Rome

The traffic in Rome is crazy. Watch out crossing the road on cross roads, there are still people who don't stop for pedestrians. One tip, if you wait until someone stops to let you cross the street, you'll be waiting there all day. :o) Crossing the road is a real adventure.

Traffic on the roads and on the pavements, wherever you go, there are people, people and people. And with so many people, this can only mean one thing. Queues! Wherever you go, whatever you see, be prepared for loooooooooooooong ….. Queues, and hope and pray that it isn't in the direct sunlight (which it normally always is), and that it will move quickly (which it generally doesn’t).

Ensure you have a bottle of water on you and headache tablets for the inevitable.

Jezza was quite good on the wheels; I must say a real brave heart. He has also shown his skills in many occasions and he love to drive in Rome and Paris, where basically there is no traffic rule. You have to make you’re your through the mess.

I think I am talking too much about traffic; lets get back to the city of Rome. It took us a long time to get there as we were crawling.. During noon our bus breaks down, we were really speculating to take a train… but kudos to both Jezza and Dave, everything was back to normal within about 30-45 mins. But we lost that valuable time; in this whole trip we are always having competition with time. We have to grab as much as possible within the given time..

Finally it was moment of truth and we arrived in Rome on the bank of River Tiber. Our first stop was Roman Colosseum. When you think of Rome, you always think of having a picture with this building, probably one of the best souvenirs you can collect during your stay in this eternal city.

We got around 20 mins to take some pictures with Roman Colosseum, this arena known to the ancients as the "Flavian Amphitheater" hosted 450 years of gladiatorial contests and wild beast hunts... "Games," as they were called in antiquity. You can get a pretty good sense of the Colosseum just by walking around the outside, but going inside will give you a better idea of the seating areas, the structures beneath the arena floor, and the general enormity of the building.

Right next to the Colisseum is this magnificent looking arch of Constantine. In my opinion it is the most beautiful arch of Rome. There are so many little details that you can really spend some time by looking at all of them. The arch was built for Constantine by the Senate since he defeated his rival Maxentius in 312. Since there was little time to complete the immense structure the Senate reused parts of earlier monuments of the reigns of Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and Trajan.

After this we gathered in Piazza Venezia to join our local tour guide and then we started walking on the narrow lanes of this ancient city.

Surprise, surprise … well you are in Rome, so no need to surprise … we were walking down cobbled streets and suddenly we arrive at a Piazza full of people. But this place looks familiar.. Oh my god we are in Piazza di Trevi and it’s the Famous Trevi Fountain. Now we have only 15 mins to take our pictures and it’s a real competition to get a nice snap as there are so many people blocking the view. You have look for a nice spot where you can take a memorable picture also back of your mind you have to be careful about pickpockets. Keep a tight hold on your belongings. If you get the chance to sit on the edge of the fountain (for the obligatory photo) take the time to throw a coin in over your shoulder - this is said to guarantee that you will return to Rome one day …

As I just mentioned, if you are in Rome for the first time … just hold your breathe … surprise awaits you every moment … It’s may be just a couple of mins walk from Fontana De Trevi and we were in front of The Pantheon "Temple of all the Gods”.

Just few weeks’ back I was watching Samantha brown explaining about this monument in Discovery travel and living and now I am there to experience it myself …

The Pantheon is without a doubt the best preserved Roman monument. It is also one of the most copied piece of architecture in the world.

I had always heard that the Pantheon was perfect. After seeing it, I must agree. I was overwhelmed with its simple beauty. It is supposedly Rome's best preserved monument of antiquity, probably because it was transformed from a temple that honored all the Roman Gods of Mythology into a Christian church, honoring one God.

While viewing the Pantheon, I learned that the building is 142 feet wide and 142 feet tall. Once, the empty spots surrounding the portico contained statues of Roman gods, and animals were actually sacrificed in the center beneath the dome. The coffered dome has an 18-foot hole called an "oculus" in the middle where light streams in. This is the dome that inspired Michelangelo's St. Peter's dome. Marcus Agrippa built the Pantheon, but Hadrian later rebuilt it as a temple for all the gods. Most books refer to it as "an architectural marvel", and I agree.

It's open: Mon-Sat 9a.m.-6:30p.m. Sun 9a.m.-1p.m.

Believe it or not, admission is FREE!

Even if you usually dislike tourist places, the Pantheon is really a must see.

For nearly two thousand years this building has stood in this spot, while around it battles have been fought. Now, restaurants filled with Romans and tourists surround the Pantheon. It’s fascinating to stand in this oasis of calm, and to reflect on the changes that have taken place in the busy city outside.

After Pantheon we walked into Piazza Navona. It is a large pretty oval Piazza, lined by with beautiful buildings including a church and lots of cafes, perfect for people watching.

Perhaps the most beautiful piazza in the city, Piazza Navona used to be a Roman circus (that’s why its shape is elliptical). This elegant area, surrounded by beautiful houses, the Church of Sant’Agnese and adorned by three of Bernini’s fountains is a Roman trademark. And of course, let us not forget the mandatory obelisk! I recommend you take a moment to sit down and enjoy a coffee while looking at people passing by… very relaxing and enjoyable.

At Piazza Novona, Dave suggested us have dinner and then we have to get into the coach to go to our hotel, somewhere in outskirts of Rome.

We had a quick dinner and then we headed towards the Tiber to discover Castle Sant' Angelo.

This is a very imposing Castle, which stands out against the landscape as you walk along the Tiber. We were walking along the riverside looking at bridges, homes and anything else of interest when we saw the Castle on the over side of the river. We decided to get a closer view and walked across the Ponte Sant' Angelo which itself is worth stopping for a few minutes to admire the 10 Bernini baroque statutes of angels. The castle is approximately 2000 years old and is a memorial to Emperor Hadrian; it has a number of levels and some steep stairs to climb. Upon reaching the top you are rewarded with magnificent views of the City of Rome, great for photos.

We didn't actually go into the Castle Sant' Angelo, we just had a walk around it. Never the less, it was quite impressive. This huge round building stands at the opposite end of Via Della Conciliazione from the Vatican, on the edge of the River Tiber. A word of warning though: there are lots and lots of people outside trying to sell everything from watches to handbags. The Castle Sant' Angelo appeared to be the center of activity for these guys.

Though, we did not actually enter the Castle Sant' Angelo, but would certainly recommend going to at least have a look at it!

We enjoyed the sun set over Tiber over looking St Peter. Our 2^nd day in Rome stars with Vatican museum and Sistine chapel.

It's hard to say what you'll find most breathtaking about the eternal city - the arrogant opulence of the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of a Fiat Bambino, the millions of cats in the Colosseum, trying to cross a major intersection, or the bill for your latte.

Make like the locals and souse your senses in the glut of pleasures the city has to offer, from the grandiose thrill of feeling centuries of turbulent history under your feet to the small but potent intoxication of eating chestnut gelati on a hot day.

Though Rome has endured for thousands of years, the Eternal City's history is a mere postlude to a series of geologic events that blessed the Tiber River valley with a nearly perfect setting for a city. Great emperors, popes and engineers gave Rome an infrastructure that makes it the world's largest sustainable city.