The train ride from Paris to Rome is about 15 hours. We took an overnight train with sleeping berths. The cheapest berths have 6 beds (they called it couchettes) in a cabin. We opted for the 4 in one cabin for privacy. The fare is of course a lot more. I remember paying around 500 euros for 4 tickets. The 6 bedded ones will cost 300 euros for 4 persons, but then you risk having to share the cabin with 2 strangers. Its worth paying the fare as we not only save one night's hotel rate but also save one day's travelling. We expected to reach Rome at 10 am but had to endure a 2 hour delay because of workers strike in Rome. On reaching. we walked straight to the hotel, checked in and took the metro to the main sight seeing area of Rome. Most of the places are easily accessible and with a map (provided by the hotel or you can print some from google), you can go anywhere!
Our first stop was the must see destination, the world famous Trevi Fountain, made famous by the many hollywood movies and the song, Three Coins in the Fountain.
The Spanish Steps (Piazza Spagna) , also a famous landmark, is within the same vicinity.
And when in Italy, of course we made sure we sampled the famous Italian food. We tasted so delicious pasta there that when we went back to Malaysia the Pizza Hut pasta tasted so horrid by comparison!
The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are very near to Piazza Navona, where you can see street performers. There are many restaurants in the square. Its here we had our delicious Italian food, not forgetting the famous ice cream gelato!
The Roman Pantheon is also within walking distance. But I think the Paris Pantheon is more impressive, even though the interior is actually quite nice, too.
On the next day, we went to another must-see...the Coliseum!
The Roman Forum and Platine Hills are all within walking distance. Also the Hero's monument, where you can see the Roman Changing of the Guards. Its actually nicer than the London one, I don't know why its not much publicised
.
You need to spend at least half a day for these places.
After this, we went to the Vatican city for lunch and visited St Peters Square and Basillica.
St Peters Basillica is the world's largest cathedral. When you're inside, don't miss out on one of the most famous works of Michelangelo...La Pieta, a sculpture depicting the body of Jesus in the arms of his mother Mary after the cruxificion.
Don't forget to join the queue of tourists who wait in line to kiss or touch the foot of the bronze statue of St Peter to ask for mercy and forgiveness. We're not Christians but nevertheless we touched the foot, too. The right foot is now so worn out after all the touching that the toes are no longer visible , only a stump remains!
To those who intend to visit the Basillica, be aware that they have a strict dress code: no bare shoulders and knees. There will be officers stationed outside and also at the door to make sure this is followed. Just bring along a shawl or jacket if you insist on wearing your singlets in the hot summer days. You wouldn't want to go all the way there and have to stand outside and wait for your friends!
We had 2 nights and almost 2 days in Rome. On the third day, we took a train to Pisa..........
After this, we went to the Vatican city for lunch and visited St Peters Square and Basillica.
St Peters Basillica is the world's largest cathedral. When you're inside, don't miss out on one of the most famous works of Michelangelo...La Pieta, a sculpture depicting the body of Jesus in the arms of his mother Mary after the cruxificion.
Don't forget to join the queue of tourists who wait in line to kiss or touch the foot of the bronze statue of St Peter to ask for mercy and forgiveness. We're not Christians but nevertheless we touched the foot, too. The right foot is now so worn out after all the touching that the toes are no longer visible , only a stump remains!
To those who intend to visit the Basillica, be aware that they have a strict dress code: no bare shoulders and knees. There will be officers stationed outside and also at the door to make sure this is followed. Just bring along a shawl or jacket if you insist on wearing your singlets in the hot summer days. You wouldn't want to go all the way there and have to stand outside and wait for your friends!
We had 2 nights and almost 2 days in Rome. On the third day, we took a train to Pisa..........
1 comment:
Amazing! Its looking lovely place for visiting.I never visited France but heard lots of good thing about it. Thank you! :-)
Paris to rome
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