ROME

Wednesday 18th July

Piazza Republica

OK nights sleep (was in bed early because of early start to day), except it was a single bed - not even a king single - so I woke up a few times almost rolling out of bed. Got on one of the hop on/off buses today to see the city. Started early about 9 after breakfast in hotel. It started at Termini and through to the Piazza d. Republica – Via Nazionale and then past the Santa Maria Maggiore church which we had seen yesterday.  

Il Vittoriano

Continued down towards the ancient ruins part of Rome to Piazza Venezia with the enormous white Il Vittoriano (needed sunglasses!), around the Colloseum, past the Arch of Constantino, Circo Massimo and back into Piazza Venezia on the other side. 

Constantine Arch

Colloseum

We continued over the Tiber at Pont Vittorio Emmanuele and down Via della Conciliazione to Piazza Pio XII in front of St Peter’s. We got off the bus, walked around the square and then joined the line to go inside. It was a long snaky line, but it moved quickly up to the security gates and then was also easy (not packed but busy) up into the Basilica. There was a station along the way turning people away who were not dressed appropriately – no singlets or short shorts/skirts. Walked around inside – saw La Pieta – just as mystifying – Jacob couldn’t take his eyes off it. Walked down RHS and then altar – mass then started for a group of priests on LHS chapel area so watched procession and beginning. Then back down other side. Finally found Pope Leo (for you current or former St Leo's people).

St Peter's Square & Basilica

View from the top of the stairs back across the Square

La Pieta - I remembered this from when I was 8 - but I don't remember it being behind glass - I think I could touch it..... amazing how it has changed in 30 years.

Pope Leo

Boys were hungry (whats new they are always hungry these days!) so found a café/bar to have something to eat and drink. It was starting to get hot in the sun – was OK in shade – walked down to Castel Sant’Angelo. Jacob had a tantrum so we took some outside photos, turned around and walked back to catch the bus again. It took us into an area of little side streets, across river again at Ponte Cavour and along river on other side. Jacob had another tantrum about here – boys were sitting together and fighting – Jacob didn't want to have to move to sit next to me!

Castel Sant'Angleo

We got off at next stop for the Trevi Fountain. Jacob was still grumping so took some pictures at Trevi Fountain (it was packed with people) and moved on - don't you like the grumpy face?! We walked across to the Palazzo del Quirinale and sat on steps for about 15-20 min in shade – put on more sunscreen and waited for Jacob to regain a good mood. 

Not overly clear but do you like the grumpy face?

Walked along the back of the Palazzo to an intersection with 4 fountains, one on each corner, walked down the hill past the Palazzo Barberini and into the Piazza with the Fontane del Tritone. We stopped for more food in a café/bar (also got free wifi so sent some emails) before walking down street to where we had left the bus. On way we took an underground pedestrian subway to cross a road – it was also a bookshop! Nicest pedestrian subway I’ve seen in a long time! Got back on the bus and came up through Piazza d. Republica again and onto Termini. 

Had regained good humour by the time we were in Piazza Quirinale

Piazza & Palazzo Quirinale

Went and got a number – to get Eurail tickets, number was 529 and they were calling 380 something. Spoke to the travel agent down the way to see if they could do it - alas to no avail - but she did say that we would need our passports - which were in the hotel room! Decided to walk back to hotel for them – when we returned we still had to wait for a LONG time (bit less than hour) for our number to be called. Got tickets and came back to room for a rest- only English channel is BBC News so boys watched cartoons and Power Rangers in Italian! 

Triton Fountain in Piazza Barberini

Went out for dinner – via Termini again to get tickets / make reservations for train tomorrow. Ate at a nice restaurant - walking home via Patisserie for cookies for tomorrows trip.