Back in The Honeymoon Series [iii], where we discussed preparations for the honeymoon (click here to read), it seems a dream now that it is over, so surreal, and we enjoyed our honeymoon tremendously. So we boarded our Emirates Flight from Changi Airport Terminal 1, flew for around 6.5 hours to transit in Dubai International Airport (1.5 hours transit), and then flew another 7 hours to Rome, Italy.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Rome is a beautiful place with romantic history, so be expected to find many beautifully-structured historical buildings and sculptures strewn around the city itself.
COLOSSEUM / COLISEUM
Piazza del Colosso, 1, 00184, Roma, Italy
Website: http://www.the-colosseum.net/around/visit.htm
Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, this concrete and sand building used to be the fighting grounds for gladiators and audience would sit around the circular amphitheatre cheering or jeering them on. It costs only 12 euros to enter the building, where you can stand on the inside to admire the building, as well as view other exhibitions in galleries.
PIAZZA VENEZIA
Piazza Venezia, 00186 Roma, Italy
Named after the Cardinal Venezia, Piazza Venezia is the central hub / square of Rome, Italy. Located at the heart of Italy, this square is where 4 major roads meet and several thoroughfares intersect.
TREVI FOUNTAIN
Piazza di Trevi, 00187, Roma, Italy
Website: http://www.trevifountain.net
Trevi Fountain is an intrinsic work of art, a Baroque sculpture of stone and flowing water, designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci.
The waters are usually flowing gently, beautifully, glistening in their clear aqua-marine hues. However, today when we visited, they were unfortunately doing their cleaning, so waters were too still. But still, toss a coin in and make a wish!
MVSEI VATICANI (Vatican Museums)
Viale Vaticano, 00165, Roma, Italy
Website: http://www.museivaticani.va
Located in the breathtaking Vatican City, the Vatican Museum was founded in the early 16th century by Pop Julius II, with stunning ceilings decorated by Michelango himself. Ticket prices are 16 euros and the museum opens from 9.00am to 4.00pm daily. There are a total of 54 galleries within, some of the more iconic ones being the Sistine Chapel, Chariot Room and works by Raphael.
ST PETER'S BASILICA
Piazza San Pietro 00120 Citta del Vaticano, Vatican City
Website: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/index_it.htm
St. Peter's Basilica, also known as Papal Basilica in Italy, is the largest church in the world, its imposing Renaissance architecture was built over a hundred years ago. One could climb up to the dome aka viewing tower to see the beautiful city of Rome from the top.
RESTAURANTS / CAFES
Italy is famous for its pasta and pizza, as well as coffee and gelato - so eat your hearts out. Here is a list of restaurants and cafes we dropped in for our meals and desserts. In Italy, some of the cafes are pretty interesting - you pay anything from 1.5.euros to 4 euros for a good coffee if you takeaway, or sit at the bar counter. If you wish to sit inside at the dining area, you have to pay a higher price or order something else.
CAFFE ROMA GELATERIA
Piazza di Trevi 99 Fontana di Trevi, Roma 187
Their brightly-hued, colorful pastries and pleasant service made the cafe experience lovely. We enjoyed tasty cups of Espresso (1 euro) and Cappuccino (2.5 euros) at very low price, and the Italian roast was quite lovely, especially in freezing weather in the Winter.
GELATO SHOP NEAR TREVI FOUNTAIN
So we bought this at a shop at Trevi Piazza, near the fountain area, but lost the photo that showed the shop name. If anyone reading this blog recognizes the geleto display or cup they are using, please be so kind as to inform me as to the gelato shop's name.
They were very friendly on service, letting us try many flavours of gelato before making a decision. They also have many types of flavours to select from. We enjoyed the Pistachio flavour and Tiramisu flavour very much.
STAZIONE DI POSTA (RISTORANTE)
Large Dino Frisullo, Roma, Italy
Website: http://www.stazionediposta.eu
A beautiful restaurant located within a ranch-like area, with lots of vegetable plots and vast greenery. The interior was pretty with different types of seating - conventional rectangle tables or couches. Service was rather attentive and drinking water was served. We had their homemade Bread, a delicious Cream of Broccoli with Mussels, palatable Provencal Cheese & Tomato Risotto, some Seabass dish as well as dessert of Poached Pear and Chocolate.
DAR BOTTAROLO
Via dei Monti di Pietralata 26, 00157, Roma, Italy
Website: http://www.darbottarolo.it
A casual Italian restaurant with a laid-back, homely feel, good for eating and drinking. Their pizzas were simple, in either Red base or White base - we shared 3 pizzas among 6 of us - Prosciutto, Onion and Funghi. Not bad, the pizza slabs had thin, crispy base and little ingredients but flavours were good. Each of us only spent around 15 euros, including drinks.
ACCOMMODATION
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Rome, which was suggested to be a 3.5 to 4-star hotel. It is located near Vatican Forum, St. Peter's Basilica for tourist attractions, and this hotel was our "home" for 2 nights. The rate per night is around SGD$100.00
HOLIDAY INN ROME - PISANA
Via della Pisana, 374 Rome, RM 00163, Italy
Website: https://goo.gl/KiCQx8
A comfortable, low-rise hotel near to the touristy spots and has rather good service. The only drawback was a too-tiny bathroom area. The hotel itself houses 2 restaurants, has wi-fi in rooms, concierge service, wakeup call service, doctors on call, etc. While there are only residential buildings in its immediately surroundings, one may take a 15-minute walk to where there are convenience stores, restaurants and petrol stations to get some shopping done or have their meals.
We loved Rome overall, but were constantly reminded to guard our belongings very closely.
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