Buga: 05.06.2016
Rome - whether ancient or modern - is a beautiful city. Many narrow streets and small shops make this place unforgettable and unique. The residents are super nice, polite, and always helpful.
From museums to small cafes to attractions, there is something for everyone. History lovers like me enjoy visiting ancient Rome and rushing into museums.
On the day I arrived (Monday afternoon) of my nearly 6-day trip, I settled into my hotel first and took a short rest before starting. Then no one could stop me anymore. With the help of a map, I explored the city center and oriented myself to the bell tower of the "Santa Maria Maggiore", which was only a few streets away from my hotel.
In the evening, I visited the Trevi Fountain, which unfortunately was dry and under repair. Then I walked to the Spanish Steps, which are always crowded, and sat on the steps to process my first impressions.
(Small tip: If you are visiting a new, even larger city for the first time, always find a point of reference near your hotel. If you get lost, you always have a small point of reference and don't panic so quickly :))
The Colosseum from the insideThe top of Castel Sant' Angelo
The day was coming to an end, it was getting dark, and so I left the Castel Sant' Angelo. Rome at night is even more beautiful than during the day!
I found a small restaurant and ended the evening with a wonderful Italian dish. Full of anticipation for the next day.
It was Wednesday. I didn't have much on my program for today, but it was extensive nevertheless. I visited some "squares" and explored the former "Aventine" hill. (A city map with the visited squares and buildings is at the end of my post.)
Then I walked to the "Piazza del Popolo", visited some chapels and the so-called "twin churches".
The "twin churches"The "Piazza del Popolo" from above.Afterwards, I visited the "Galleria Borghese", which is not far from the square and has a stunning and huge park. To get to this park, you have to climb a long staircase, as it has several height differences compared to the "Piazza del Popolo". Once you are up there, you have a breathtaking view of the square - you can even see the Vatican from there!
To get to the gallery, walk several kilometers through the beautiful park.
In the gallery, there are incredible statues that seem super lively with their many precise details, as do the paintings and pictures! A visit is definitely worth it. The gallery was a villa in the 17th century, which was already known for its art treasures. At some point, it became a museum or gallery. Some rooms (such as the fireplace or the bedroom) remained true to the original and unchanged. Time goes by quickly there, and suddenly it was evening again.
On Thursday, a kind of excursion was undertaken. I went to Mount Vesuvius, a volcano that completely buried an entire city in 79 AD. Mount Vesuvius is located on the Gulf of Naples, about nine kilometers away from Naples.
The ascent was very exhausting. Although it is only a few hundred meters to the summit, it takes quite a long time (about 15-30 minutes depending on fitness). I took a guided tour at the top. The guide provided a lot of information and explained the rocks and a possible eruption. There is a narrow path around the crater of the volcano - but be careful, there are many trip hazards due to the loose rocks! If you follow the path, you will come to a small kiosk and a small wine shop (including a tasting). Another tip is to be careful at the top during a thunderstorm! Due to the height and electromagnetic fields, lightning is literally drawn there.
On the way down, the bad weather started. The lower you got, the stronger the rain became, making the descent difficult as the wet path turned into a slippery slide.
When I arrived at the bottom, completely soaked, I still wanted to go to Pompeii and visit its ruins, so I set off. The rain subsided a bit, and I entered the "Pompeii site" and walked through an amphitheater, where I was suddenly greeted by a stray dog.
It was now Friday, and my program was packed. It was time to visit the Vatican. The sun was blazing down on me. When I arrived at the Vatican, I got a shock. St. Peter's Square was full of chairs, and there was a huge line winding around the square - now my patience was required. The positive thing is, I had time to admire the beautiful decorations and statues around St. Peter's Square.
After what felt like hours (and it really was at least two) and a security check, I finally got to visit St. Peter's Basilica from the inside. Due to the many people, you can't see much, but it was still beautiful.