Welcome to Rome, Part 1
We couldn’t believe that our first adventure cruising in Europe was coming to an end. This turned out to be a fabulous vacation, just not long enough. A seven-day cruise was not enough time… note to self for the planning of future cruises.
We were ending our cruise in Civitavecchia, the port closest to Rome. What? Get all the way to the cruise port of Rome and not stay a day or so and see the sights of Rome? So, we did.
As I outlined in the planning post for this adventure, I found a tour guide for Rome that was also an architect. The mixture of story and architecture seemed like a great way to learn more about the history of civilization and the city of Rome.
As always, the ship docked in the port of Civitavecchia at O’dark in the morning. Since our guide arranged for a private car to Rome as part of our tour plans, we were off as soon as customs was cleared for the ship. We gathered our luggage, found our driver and the late model Mercedes Benz Van. We were off to Rome. Really, Rome!
The van turned out to be a great way to travel. We were high enough to see the landscape and we had room to spread out in the vehicle with all of our stuff.
We arrive at our hotel, the Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria. Gosh did we feel under-dressed and travel weary as we entered this luxurious and gracious hotel. (www.waldorfastoria.com/rome). Luckily our room was ready, and we could go and drop off our luggage before meeting our guide for the rest of the day. Snacks?? I needed snacks…..
What, there is a Michelin Star restaurant in the hotel… can we get a reservation? Next stop the Concierge desk to get on the waiting list. They book 6 months in advance.
A few pictures of our Deluxe King Room at the Waldorf Astoria
With not much time to spare and no place for snacks, we returned to the Lobby to meet our guide from www.roma-bella.com. We planned about a day and half with Roma-Bella and our guide packed a lot of sightseeing into our brief time in Rome. Because we were there on the weekend, creativity was a must. I hope there is a snack place on the way.
Although it was early June, the afternoon in Rome was warm as we made our way to our car to go to the Vatican. Noting places as we drove to the Vatican; it was so much to take in. With tickets in hand, we went through all the screening devices to get into the Vatican Museum. Our guide led us to the courtyard where we found a seat, got some water, and yes, a snack.
With pictures and explanations, we looked at the path that we were going to take to go through the Vatican Museum and then into the Sistine Chapel. We also reviewed the meaning of all the panels in the Sistine Chapel in advance since it was going to be quite crowded and you were not supposed to talk in the Chapel. Shh, be quiet, silence……
In fact, the Museum was so crowded I took no pictures as we were pulled through the corridors and rooms, only stopping to use the restrooms. Once we reached the Sistine Chapel, the crowd seemed to grow. We eased our way into the Chapel but were not ready for the overwhelming size and height of the frescos. Now I understand why people get dizzy looking up at this magnificent painting. Shh, Silence… No talking.
We made our way to one side of the room and found a space on the benches to sit down. It really was not the proper way to study the stories told on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and the people kept coming in. We will have to find another way to appreciate this work of art on our next time in Rome (we said it). Time to go. We need lunch.
We were off our plan, but we needed to eat, ok I needed to eat. But we had to make a stop in St. Peter’s Basilica first. No choice, it is right there when you leave the Sistine Chapel. That room does not look that big on television when you watch the Christmas Eve service.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica
We managed to find a local place to get a quick lunch. A little behind our schedule, we then motored over to the Colosseum. Since it was the end of the day the crowds had lightened. We wandered around the top tier of the huge structure.
Exterior of The Colosseum
Interior of The Colosseum
Also, the Arch of Titus.
The Arch of Titus
Quick drive by Circus Maximus and Baths of Caracalla.
Circus Maximus
Enough for one day. Time to go back to the hotel, rest and have dinner in Rome.