Topic: How to do Rome on your own

Speck, Washington posted this in the Reviews section of our website:



To read their review, go to:

http://www.cruise.co.uk/cruise-reviews/read_review_19027/

If you decide to do Rome DIY,
a guide book like this(attachment below) is very helpful.

It's loaded with maps and photos, and well worth the money!
.

Hi
If you E-mail Rome Tourist Board they will sent you plenty of bumf.

PS,Did any of you Scottish people on here know that,,,
James iii ( Edward the Pretender) + Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) + Henry Stuart (James iii son) are buried in St Peters Basilica,there is also a Monument to Stuart Kings.
When you go through main doors its down left hand aisle.
JC

QUOTE:

Hi
If you E-mail Rome Tourist Board they will sent you plenty of bumf.

PS,Did any of you Scottish people on here know that,,,
James iii ( Edward the Pretender) + Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) + Henry Stuart (James iii son) are buried in St Peters Basilica,there is also a Monument to Stuart Kings.
When you go through main doors its down left hand aisle.
JC

This was one of the benefits of being on an organised tour, I had been to the Vatican twice before and both times indepenedently. When we went on an organised tour with a local guide we found out so many things that we had not known about. It was certainly worth the money on that occasion.

This is a route that I and several others have used and found successful as you can do eveything except the Vatican in one day and at minimal cost yaking the train from Citivavecchia.

This is a reasonable site-seeing route for Rome
When you arrive at Terminus Station (keep a look out for children and dodgy adults ) change onto the Metro Linea A and go to Spagna ( Check, but your train ticket should allow you to travel on the Metro)
( 1. ) Spanish Steps and the Fontana della Barcaccia
Piazza di Spagna is a triangular shaped piazza in the heart of Rome. It is home to one of Rome's top tourist attractions - the Spanish Steps. This beautiful sweeping staircase dates back to 1723. The steps are always covered with people, and at some times of the year it is also covered with flowers. The view from the top of the steps looking down into the Piazza is excellent. The Piazza is also home to a fountain designed by Bernini its name meaning the sinking barque.
(2. ) Via dei Condotti
Via dei Condotti is one of the most elegant streets in the capital. It gets its name from conduits that used to take water to the baths of Agrippa near the Pantheon. On this street, which runs from Via del Corso to Piazza di Spagna, there are many upscale shops: Bulgari, Gucci, Ferragamo & Louis Vuitton, to name but a few. The shops are patronised by tourists and upper class Romans. The Caffe Greco, whose elegance and character are not to be missed, is also found on this street.
( 3.) Trevi Fountain
The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic centre of Rome with water.
The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea. On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity.
Appropriately for a fountain resembling a stage set, the theatrical Trevi Fountain has been the star of many films shot in Rome, including romantic films such as "Three coins in a fountain" and "Roman holiday", but also "La dolce vita", Federico Fellini's satirical portrait of Rome in the 1950s.
Tossing a Coin The water of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it if you throw a coin into the water you will return to Rome, toss in two for a fling with an Italian, and three to marry an Italian! You should toss it or them over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.
(4) Pantheon
The Pantheon is by far the best place in the city to experience the true splendour, harmony, and elegance of Roman architecture, inside and out. This 2nd century AD pagan temple to all the gods was converted into a church in 608 AD and today, nearly 1900 years after its construction, is still almost completely intact. From outside in the piazza, feel the solidity and permanence of the rectangular portico; inside, marvel at the vault of the hemispherical concrete dome, pierced by a 9m oculus open to the sky, and take in all the colors of the marbles that line the walls. Piazza della Rotonda. Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-6:30pm; Sun & holidays 8:30am-1pm. Free. Bus 40 Express, 64, 492, or 62 to Largo Argentina.
Here I would suggest you get a bus or walk to Piazza Venezia . These buses are normally very full so watch your pockets as the thieves are renown in this area.
(5) Piazza Venezia, Vittorio Emanuele II Monument
In 1870 that which seemed impossible becomes a fact: After centuries of foreign occupations and local divisions Vittorio Emanuele II, the king of Italy, unifies the country. Some years later, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, the city of Rome constructed and dedicated this building to Emanuele II, the father of the Italian unity. At the top of the monument lies the equestrian sculpture of Emanuele II.
(6) Capitoline Hill or Campidoglio
The Campidoglio, or Capitoline Hill still, serves as the seat of the city’s government. From here you can admire the sculptures of Castor and Polux with their horses. The 'Piazza' where these sculptures sit was designed by Michelangelo. On either sides of the square are the 'Musei Capitolini'. These museums are in the twin Palaces --'Palazzo Nuovo' and 'Palazzo dei Conservatori'. In this museum you will find the Capitoline Wolf --you know, the wolf feeding Romulo and Remo, which is the symbol of Rome-- among many other Roman works. It is the most complete collection of ancient sculptures in the world.From this square there is a nice view of Rome.
The equestrian sculpture of Marco Aurelio
This spectacular Renaissance piazza is one of the best spots in Rome , especially at sunset and later. In the middle of its Michelangelo-designed pavement, you'll find a bronze statue of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback (a beautiful copy of the original which is now inside the Capitoline Museums). From the terraces on either side of the Palazzo Senatorio there are powerful views over the Roman Forum. Among the most famous works you will find in the 'Musei Capitolini', are the "doves mosaic" --a wonderful work from the old Rome discovered in Tivoli-- and the "Capitoline Venus" --a Roman copy of an original Greek work. You will also find many other pictures and sculptures by Algardi, Caravaggio and Bernini.
Trajan's Markets and Forum (View from the Capitaline hill)
Trajan's Markets (Mercatus Traiani) was designed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus. It was a real market, with almost 150 shops and offices. The Markets are a series of buildings constructed on various levels at the same time as Trajan's Forum. It was a complex of more than 170 rooms. The building now hosts the Museum of the Imperial Forums.
Trajan's Markets are overlooked by the leaning remains of Torre delle Milizie, one of the city's tallest mediaeval towers (13th century), whose top part collapsed only one century after being finished. This is popularly believed to be the site from which emperor Nero witnessed Rome's great fire (64 AD) playing his lyre.
( 7. ) Roman Forum
This was the downtown area of the ancient city, where you could cross paths with Cicero or Caesar himself on their way to the political, religious, and commercial buildings which are still visible here today, 2000 years later, in various states of preservation. Very evocative of the power of Rome in her Golden Age. Entrances at Largo Romolo e Remo 5-6, Piazza S. Maria Nova (Arch of Titus), and Via del Monte Tarpeo (Capitoline Hill). Open daily 9am-sunset (until 4pm Nov-Mar). Admission free. Metro Line B: Colosseo, or bus 87 or J4, or a 5-minute walk from Piazza Venezia.
(8) Arco di Costantino
Just outside the Coliseum is the Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino), a 25m high monument built in AD315 to mark the victory of Constantine over Maxentius at Pons Milvius.
( 9. ) Roman Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum or Coliseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was commisioned in AD 72 by Emperor Vespasian. It was completed by his son, Titus, in 80, with later improvements by Domitian. The Colosseum is located just east of the Roman Forum and was built to a practical design, with its 80 arched entrances allowing easy access for 450 years to 55,000 spectators, who were seated according to rank. The Coliseum is huge, an ellipse 188m long and 156 wide.
Vespesian ordered the Colosseum to be build on the site of Nero's palace, the Domus Aurea, to dissociate himself from the hated tyrant. His aim was to gain popularity by staging deadly combats of gladiators and wild animal fights for public viewing. Massacre was on a huge scale: at inaugural games in AD 80, over 9,000 wild animals were killed. Roman gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Most were men, but there were a few female gladiators. These combats were attended by the poor, the rich, and frequently the emperor himself. As gladiators fought, vicious cries and curses were heard from the audience around the Roman Colosseum. One contest after another was staged in the course of a single day. Should the ground become too soaked with blood, it was covered over with a fresh layer of sand and the performance went on. The gladiatorial games continued until Christianity progressively put an end to those parts of them which included the death of humans.
Coliseum admission fee:
Full ticket - €15.50 EU complimentary ticket- €4.50 (available only for EU citizens aged above 65 and under 18 (Must have passport or something official for age ) 9am-sunset (until 4pm Oct-Mar). Metro Line B: Colosseo, or bus 87 or J4
Take the Metro from Colosseo to Termini

I haven’t included the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel and Museums because the crowds are normally huge here but you can make up your own mind as to whether the queuing is worthwhile
There are, of course, other sights well worth seeing in Rome. ....Neil

Hi, We doing Rome DIY style in the Summer. I read somewhere that is possible to book tickets in advance to visit the Colosseum, also that it was possible to book an open ticket. I have found a number of sites where I can book tickets but all of these require that i give a time slot. Does anyone know of a site that allows you to book an open ticket.

Thanks in advance

QUOTE:

Hi
If you E-mail Rome Tourist Board they will sent you plenty of bumf.

PS,Did any of you Scottish people on here know that,,,
James iii ( Edward the Pretender) + Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) + Henry Stuart (James iii son) are buried in St Peters Basilica,there is also a Monument to Stuart Kings.
When you go through main doors its down left hand aisle.
JC

Yes I did simply cos my hubby has gone on about it since we decided to book our first cruise and Rome will be one of our excursions. He is a big history buff...I got dragged up to La Coruña last year so that he could see the tomb of Gen. Sir John Moore (born in Glasgow) in the 250th year after his death. Maybe it was 200, something like that. You can tell I am really interested
Sandra

QUOTE:

Yes I did simply cos my hubby has gone on about it since we decided to book our first cruise and Rome will be one of our excursions. He is a big history buff...I got dragged up to La Coruña last year so that he could see the tomb of Gen. Sir John Moore (born in Glasgow) in the 250th year after his death. Maybe it was 200, something like that. You can tell I am really interested
Sandra

Hi sandra
I also am a history buff,that's one/main reason i cruise,don't know your Ports of Call but i find Florence more interesting than Rome.
If you want to see the Vatican museums book a timed entry ticket on line,it will also give you a short cut into St Peters.
The queues can be horrendous.
Don'T know where you live in Spain,but i went to Cordoba in May to see the Mezquida,,beautiful.
JC

QUOTE:

Hi
If you E-mail Rome Tourist Board they will sent you plenty of bumf.

PS,Did any of you Scottish people on here know that,,,
James iii ( Edward the Pretender) + Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) + Henry Stuart (James iii son) are buried in St Peters Basilica,there is also a Monument to Stuart Kings.
When you go through main doors its down left hand aisle.
JC

I was told that at school, jc, but had forgotten when we were there. When we visited the crypt it was so crowded and with me being only 5'1' I didn't see very much except the backs of taller folk. It was our 2nd attempt at St. Peters as we just couldn't stand in the queues in the 40d heat the first time. We went first thing in the morning this year and it was much better. Thanks for the info on the advance online booking, would definitely be interested in that option if we go again.
I'm not sure I'd be keen to ever go back as although I'm a history fanatic my OH thinks it's wonderful to just wander around and marvel at the construction of these historic buildings and I had the blisters to prove it from both Rome and Florence.

It would be useful if this were a sticky.