Day One in Rome, Italy

Link to all Day 1 in Rome Photographs

Day 1:  Sunday, July 21, 2013

We arrived in Rome in the morning about 9 am local time and, after clearing customs, were met by a representative from Princess Cruise line who assisted us with luggage and directed us to our limo ride to the hotel.  The trip in from the airport took us past ancient Roman baths, beneath aqueducts, and through the walls of Rome.  It also gave us our first experience of the dangers inherent in Roman traffic.  Tourists and other pedestrians take their lives in their hands when they step out among the motorbikes, taxis, and busses that ply Rome’s winding, narrow streets that reminded us of the traffic in Boston.

Our room at the Hilton Claridge was not ready so we decided to explore the city of Rome by foot.  The hotel concierge recommended a walk thru the Borghese Gardens.  The gardens are a tremendously large park with sights to delight and dangers to avoid.  Multi-person bikes careen down hills and the streets wind in every confusing direction possible.  It took us less than half an hour to become hopelessly turned around.  Still we saw the Neptune Fountain and several interesting buildings before finding ourselves back to the city walls and a metro stop.  

From there we took an underground passage to the sweeping 12 flights of steps that are The Spanish Steps. the view at the top near the Trinta dei Monti Church was tremendous.  The steps themselves were actually designed by the French.  At the base of the steps is a fountain Baraccia (“bad boat”) was designed by Peitro Bernini and is fed by the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct.  The spring water was refreshing after our walk in the Roman heat (which rivals South Carolina easily).  The place was crowded by tourists from all over the world.

Our next discovery was the Mausoleum of Augustus.  Augustus was the first Roman Emperor who died in 28 BC.  It’s a massive round brick building that is about the size of a city block.  It is in ruin now but was once covered in marble.  We later found out that Mussolini wanted to make it his own family tomb; luckily for Augustus, Mussolini wasn’t given the chance.

From there we expected to go to the Pantheon, but were turned around again and found ourselves in the Piazza del Popolo.  It was time to rest and find something to eat.  The Plaza is oval shaped, was designed in 1818 and made traffic-free in 1998.  There is a 4000 year old pink obelisk in the center with hieroglyphics.  The church there, the Santa Maria del Popolo was under reconstruction - which was unfortunate since inside are works from several masters including Bernini, Raphael and Caravaggio.  So, I suppose we’ll have to plan a return trip some day!  

We turned ourselves around and walked in the direction of the Pantheon and encountered another crowd of tourists.  But the Pantheon (Temple to All Gods) is huge - plenty large enough for us all!  It was designed by Hadrian and built between 118 and 125 AD.  The exterior was once covered in marble but no longer.  The enterior walls are covered with marble and wonderful paintings.  The perfect dome is 141 feet tall and 3 feet wider that the dome at St. Pete’s.  Tucked along the wall is the tomb of Raphael.  The Pantheon has survived because it was converted successfully into a church soon after Constantine.  The walls have some gorgeous frescoes and the altars are magnificent.

We stepped into the Church St. Ignazio di Loyola on our way to Trevi Fountain.  I had collected three pennies since the beginning of this trip - gifts/reminders of my mom and when we got to Trevi Fountain we tossed those pennies in from over our shoulder, like my niece Nicki had taught me.  Storms clouds were gathering quickly and the rain and hail accompanied us on the cab ride back to the hotel.  We had been gone over 5 hours and covered nearly 10 miles!  We were beat!  After dinner we fell into a deep 12 hour sleep.

The end of day 1, photos will be uploaded soon!