Well we successfully navigated the train to Rome with one minor hiccup. When the train arrived on the platform, we boarded where we were standing. Fortunately for us, the train wasn’t crowded and we had an understanding conductor and were allowed to remain in the first class section with our second class tickets. Unbeknown to us our ticket was marked with the train car we were supposed to board and our seat number!!

Rome was WONDERFUL! We planned 2 nights, 1 full day 1/2 day on arrival & 1/2 day when we left. We’ve decided that the very least amount of time should be 3 nights & 2 – 3 full days. More would be better. We also recommend a tour. We took the morning tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Church. The tour guide was wonderful and gave info you just can’t get on your own or in guide books. After the formal tour ended many of the folks stayed to look more closely at the exhibits. We would have as well but we wanted to be sure that we got to the other major sites and firm up our return tickets for the next day. The art works were amazing. The Sistine Chapel walls and ceiling are fantastic. We walked through several galleries and exhibit areas on way to actual Chapel. Peggy could have spent hours in the Gallery of Tapestries. Raphael painted many scenes depicting various events in Christ’s life. Then carpet makers in Belgium (the best at the time) wove the threads matching Raphael’s paintings!! Unfortunately, St. Peter’s Basilica was closed that morning for an event with the Pope and we couldn’t stay as we had the Coliseum and Roman Forum on afternoon schedule. But oh the things we were able to see in the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel!!! The Sistine Chapel is considered the Pope’s Chapel and it is where the cardinals gather to elect a new Pope. Marble from the Roman Ruins was used in many of the buildings in Vatican City.

The Coliseum was everything we expected. It is amazing to realize we were in a structure built almost 2000 years ago. It was actively used for approximately 500 years before the last event was held. Unlike the smaller one in Nimes it is not currently in use for any events. The floor where the events were held is no longer in place. Originally it was made of wood and covered with 9 inches of sand. Without the floor we can see what looks like a maze from above. It is the area where the props, animals, gladiators, prisoners would wait to enter the Coliseum. (You can also take a special underground tour there.) There were approximately 80 elevators for transporting props, gladiators and animals. During an event the animals would pop out from a trapdoor without any warning surprising the “hunters” The Coliseum was a way to demonstrate Rome’s magnificence and domination. The Circus Maximus is still in use today. It looks like a large sandy oval with trees around. We were told it will be site for a Bruce Springsteen concert this summer.

The Roman Forum is actually a group of buildings within 5 acres. There is continuous archaeological activity there. There are outlines of floor plans and parts of many structures including the Basilica of Constantine, the Triumphant Arch of Titus, the Arch of Septimus Severus, Temple of Saturn, Temple of Julius Caesar, Temple of Vestal Virgins, Vestal Virgins House, the Main Square where Romans gathered (original Piazza or plaza).

The Basilica was originally a covered meeting house with a central Hall and 2 side aisles. Christians adopted that style for their churches when they outgrew the Roman temples where they had been gathering. The Senate House or Curia, is well preserved. It was used as a church by the early Christians and in 1930s it was restored. The reign of the last Emperor ended in 476.

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Rome is a wonderful mix of ancient times, Age of Renaissance and modern times. Our last stop before boarding the train back to Siena was the Trevi Fountain. It is beautiful and far bigger and intricate than Peggy imagined. It is also a very popular tourist spot day or night.

It was a WONDERFUL trip to Rome. When you go plan 3 – 6 days and take tours of the major sites as well as taking time to explore on your own different sections of town and wandering down the little alleys.

Wayne and Peggy