Rome

The drive into the centre of Rome was very, very stressful. With our sat/nav lady calling the turns, the hotel trying to call us to find out what was the delay, and Del calling the pedestrians on the sidewalk, we found our hotel and a parking spot around the corner. The car stayed in the car park (at $40/day) for the two days of our stay. Far too difficult and stressful to consider driving and finding parking spots in Rome. The clever people ride scooters or drive Smartcars, which are so short they can park sideways or on corners. Looked like once you had a parking spot you left your car there; they didn’t seem to change very often.

Coffee was delicious and cheap in Rome. Most Romans park out the front of cafes, stand up, and have a hit of coffee in small expresso cups, and then on their way. Very common along the autostrada to see this happening, and we found it useful to join in to keep awake.

In the evening we walked to the beautiful but crowded Trevi fountain and The Spanish Steps. All the Bougainvilleas in pots that were on the steps have been removed and replaced by American students.

Lucky we had previously purchased tickets to the Vatican, which allowed us immediate entry in the morning, and avoided a 2 hour queue. We spent 3 hours gasping at the wealth of art in the Vatican. The Sistine Chapel was much brighter and cleaner than when I saw it years ago. The queues to get into St Peter’s Basilica were so long (it was Wednesday and therefore, the Pope was addressing the masses) we had to come back later that evening.

Three pm was our allocated time to visit the Villa Borghese. Only 150 people, for exactly 2 hours, are allowed in per session. An archaeology student told us that the foundations are built over caverns and they are afraid the building might collapse. It was built as a sumptuous party villa of Cardinal Borghese, and it is filled with paintings and sculptures. Set in beautiful gardens, a bit like the Central Park of Rome. Every surface of each room is covered in marble and ornate reliefs. More interesting artworks (because they weren‘t religious) than the Vatican. You were so close to the sculptures that you could touch them. Unfortunately, no photographs allowed.

Rome’s narrow and confusing array of streets are very busy with people and traffic and there is graffiti and rubbish everywhere. Smoking is the fashion, as well as being stylishly dressed, we felt quite out of place.