Suitcases packed (3 bottles of wine heavier!) and stomachs fed, we caught a taxi to Siena’s train station. To get to Rome, we would have two legs to complete our journey.
- Leg 1: Siena to Florence SMN – approx 1.5hrs.
- Leg 2: Florence SMN to Rome Termini – approx 1.5hrs.
Having had problems on our train to Siena, it was with trepidation that we boarded the return to Florence, hoping that we wouldn’t have a repeat cancellation and therefore missing our connecting train to Rome! Thankfully, this was not the case and we were able to travel Leg 1 in the comfort that we would catch the connection.
During the first railway stint, it was time to scrub up on my knowledge of Rome and to map out the next few days. Admittedly, I know little of Rome and the significance of each tourist attraction. Nic on the other hand, understands a little more of the city’s layout and thus spent the journey earphones in for some peace and quiet.
We are staying in an Airbnb in the North-East of Rome, an area known for the Santa Maria Maggiore, the Trevi fountain and the up-and-coming district of Monti, which is the place to go for shops and street food. Just further out, there is also MAXXI; a modern art gallery, showcasing 21st century Italian artists. If we get the chance, I would love to see the contrast between Renaissance and ‘now’. So, my first thoughts are to spend our first afternoon exploring here.
Tomorrow, we have tickets booked for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, with breakfast included. With an early start, we should make St.Peter’s Basilica at 7am too. I’m certain this will be our most exhausting day in a Rome! The Pantheon is also in the area. Let’s face it, the sights in and around the Vatican are endless so we’ll need to be selective. As for the 7km (4 mile) stretch of the Vatican Museums, we definitely want to see the Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and the Maps Room…what we manage to squeeze in after that is yet to be decided!
What we actually managed to do…
- Mercato Centrale – luckily for us, I had booked our Airbnb opposite the Rome’s version of the same food market we visited in Florence, only with different artisans and therefore different Italian delicacies. We ate Ragu Arancini and Ricotta stuffed Cannoli.
- Santa Maria Maggiore – Rome’s largest of its 26 churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Absolutely beautiful, only 10 minutes away from our apartment and free to go inside. The gold used to decorate the gilded ceiling inside, was some of the first to be brought back from America by Columbus!
3. San Carlo Quattro Fontane – Then, we took a road towards Piazza Barberini and passed four fountains that face one another on a crossroad where Barromini was commissioned to build a church and convent. Also along this road is the Palazzo Barberini which houses the National Gallery of Antique Art. Closed on Monday, we were unable to enter, however the exterior with it’s palm trees was beautiful nonetheless!
4. The Spanish Steps – Taking the Via Sistina, we climbed upwards only to really the top of the Spanish Steps. Once again, another breath-taking view. We didn’t take the steps but can’t wait to see the masterpiece from the bottom. We meandered past the Villa Medici (an Italian family name that we have come to see everywhere!) as the sun started to go down and cast it’s rays over the city.
5. Pincio Gardens – Climbing further still, we entered these vast and tranquil gardens, where glamorous Italian women strolled, tourist families segwayed around and keen runners took advantage of the lowering temperatures. These gardens form part of a much larger estate, including that of Villa Borghese.
6. Piazza del Popolo – Aptly, we popped out, looking over the top of this elegant square and grabbing a quick look at the Egyptian-style lion water fountains in the centre.
7. Via del Corso – From Piazza del Popolo, which sits at the head of La Tridente, 3 main roads that fork off, hence it’s reference to the trident, you can walk directly to the Colosseum. Along here we found Italy’s largest Lush stall and couldn’t resist going in as the sales person invited us to try one of their limited edition bath bombs. In awe of their set up, hair treatment and facial areas included, we continued searching for signs to the Trevi Fountain.
8. The Trevi Fountain – What can I say other than “woah!”? As horrendously busy as it was, nothing can detract from the utter scale and size of this thing. There we all were, like ants, clambering to get a good picture of the largest fountain in Rome.
After what felt like a rather unplanned and packed afternoon in the city, we headed back, feeling satisfied that we had explored the North-East area of Rome, the area in which we were staying. One thing we both feel about this city, is that you don’t come here for the food. It really is a place to come and see the sights. One can’t expect the quality of food we have been lucky to dive into so far, at the incredibly low prices we have paid. Not one restaurant or osteria jumped out at us, it didn’t seem to matter whether we were in a tourist trap, or down a side street, most of these places have tacky pictures of the food in the window or overbearing men and women stood outside shoving leaflets in your face to try and get you through their doors. NO THANK YOU. So, with that in mind, we went back to where we knew they did Italian food, for Italian prices; il Mercato Centrale.
As some of you will have seen on Facebook or Instagram, I got a tad emotional about this food, or perhaps it was the giddiness I felt from being in Rome. I finally got to delve into ‘il trapizzino’, a bread pocket filled with whatever ingredients you desire, in keeping with buying a slice of pizza to go but so much better! Nic wanted something rich so he went all out with a truffle Carbonara. Prepared and cooked before your eyes in a matter of minutes with more shaved truffle than you can shake a stick at – holy cow it was insane! To top it off, we each had a coffee ‘Il Magnifico’; think tiramisu in espresso form, with oozing Chantilly cream, chocolate hazelnut spread, and a soft, Madeira-like biscuit. Is there any wonder I had tears in my eyes?
Well done if you got this far and read the whole post, I realise it is a long one! I’ll try to keep the next short and sweet, a little like the ‘Il Magnifico’.
Travelling Coltman’s 