If I were to describe my experience in Rome this trip, it would be "Meh..." Why? First, there's the crowds. I don't really remember Rome being this crowded the last time I visited 4 years ago, but maybe I was just too excited to be in Rome for the first time. It seems like we run into a tour group at every single sight we visit, and just experiencing that ginormous line to the Vatican Museum on Sunday was an eye-opener. Secondly, the locals here aren't that nice. (Stephanie had a pretty bad experience with one while she was out walking around) Third, the city is big, so walking makes you very tired. But their public transportation doesn't cover enough ground to make it worth it to constantly be taking public transport either. Anyways, more examples in this post...
This morning we woke up early to go to the Vatican Museum at 9AM, when it opened. Our reasoning being that it wouldn't be so hot yet (and thus make standing in line more bearable) and there would likely be less people. I guess everyone else was thinking the same thing, because when we got there at 9:30 there was already a pretty long line. It didn't seem too bad at first, but then every time we turned a corner there was MORE LINE! We literally stood in line for almost 2 hours, and that is just a bad start to our day. Even worse, when we came out of the museum around noon, the line was WAY shorter! Like, probably half an hour wait! [**Tip for future visitors: Either come in the early afternoon, or reserve your ticket online for the extra reservation fee] Although while we were standing in line, we met a guy who was also from the bay area! (Oakland to be exact)
As for the museum itself, I didn't enjoy it that much, solely because there were SO many people there. The popular rooms got super crowded, and you felt like you had no space to just stop and ponder any of the works. (Except for the contemporary art section, because it was right before the Sistine Chapel and everyone was just rushing there) All in all, I was less than impressed by the Vatican Museum. Even the Sistine Chapel was crowded and the whole time the workers were like "keep moving, no photos, etc" At least we got some neat shots of the winding stairs! (Although it's more of a ramp than a staircase)
Afterwards, we headed over to see St. Peter's Basilica, which also had a long line to get in. >.< At least this time, it was in the shade. Once inside, you realize how massive the church really is (although it also looks massive from the outside) But the part that Stephanie and I were looking forward to the most, ie the streams of light coming in from the skylights, couldn't be seen because the sun was already straight overhead! T___T So tip for people coming in the future, come in the morning for the most dramatic effect!
Because the visit to Vatican City took so long, we weren't able to make it in time to Campo dei Fiori before the outdoor market closed at 2pm! But on the way, we were able to visit Frigidarium, this neat gelato shop that dips your cones in melted chocolate! It was really cool, but also made the cones messier to eat, because the gelato started melting and dripping down the sides in between the chocolate shell... >.< When we got to the square, the market was already closed so we just grabbed some foccacia sandwiches at a bakery there. Then feeling super tired, we decided to just head back to the hostel and rest a bit before we went to see the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill later in the afternoon. We took a bus for the first time in Rome since we were nowhere near a metro stop. The first bus that came was SUPER full, and we couldn't even get on! The 2nd bus we made it onto, but it was still super crowded! So the whole bus ride back to Termini station was pretty squished and super hot. NOT a good impression of the bus system... The metro is so much nicer! (Although the metro was also super squished this morning when we went to the Vatican, probably due to rush hour)
We actually didn't end up having much time to rest, but we had to head out again before 6pm so that we could make it to the Colosseum before closing. This time we explored the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, although all I really did was walk around feeling hot and tired. And because we got there around 6:15, we only really got 45 minutes inside before they started closing and began to herd us out! Like literally, 3 different park employees blew their whistles at us and pointed us towards the exits, while we were walking towards the exit. They must have really wanted to close up and go home!
Afterwards, we tried to find a place to get aperitivo, but instead ended up at a fancy restaurant which offered aperitivo but not that much food to go with it :( However, we ended up getting really YUMMY cocktails! Mine was St. Germain, Vodka, blackberries and soda, and Stephanie's was I forget what but also super yummy. Afterwards, we tried again to meet up with Ian (successfully this time!) at a restaurant his orchestra group was eating at near the Trevi Fountain! Whoo meeting up with more people in Europe! Even if it was only for a quick chat... Afterwards, we finally went to the Trevi Fountain at night! Beautiful, as always. And then it was a tiring walk back to our hostel. We had such a busy day, but can't say all of it was enjoyable... :( I just remember getting back to the hostel and showering, and then realizing how TIRED my feet/legs were. Glad to be leaving Rome tomorrow! haha
This morning we woke up early to go to the Vatican Museum at 9AM, when it opened. Our reasoning being that it wouldn't be so hot yet (and thus make standing in line more bearable) and there would likely be less people. I guess everyone else was thinking the same thing, because when we got there at 9:30 there was already a pretty long line. It didn't seem too bad at first, but then every time we turned a corner there was MORE LINE! We literally stood in line for almost 2 hours, and that is just a bad start to our day. Even worse, when we came out of the museum around noon, the line was WAY shorter! Like, probably half an hour wait! [**Tip for future visitors: Either come in the early afternoon, or reserve your ticket online for the extra reservation fee] Although while we were standing in line, we met a guy who was also from the bay area! (Oakland to be exact)
As for the museum itself, I didn't enjoy it that much, solely because there were SO many people there. The popular rooms got super crowded, and you felt like you had no space to just stop and ponder any of the works. (Except for the contemporary art section, because it was right before the Sistine Chapel and everyone was just rushing there) All in all, I was less than impressed by the Vatican Museum. Even the Sistine Chapel was crowded and the whole time the workers were like "keep moving, no photos, etc" At least we got some neat shots of the winding stairs! (Although it's more of a ramp than a staircase)
Is it sad that this was probably my favorite thing at the Vatican Museum?
Afterwards, we headed over to see St. Peter's Basilica, which also had a long line to get in. >.< At least this time, it was in the shade. Once inside, you realize how massive the church really is (although it also looks massive from the outside) But the part that Stephanie and I were looking forward to the most, ie the streams of light coming in from the skylights, couldn't be seen because the sun was already straight overhead! T___T So tip for people coming in the future, come in the morning for the most dramatic effect!
St. Peter's Basilica!
Because the visit to Vatican City took so long, we weren't able to make it in time to Campo dei Fiori before the outdoor market closed at 2pm! But on the way, we were able to visit Frigidarium, this neat gelato shop that dips your cones in melted chocolate! It was really cool, but also made the cones messier to eat, because the gelato started melting and dripping down the sides in between the chocolate shell... >.< When we got to the square, the market was already closed so we just grabbed some foccacia sandwiches at a bakery there. Then feeling super tired, we decided to just head back to the hostel and rest a bit before we went to see the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill later in the afternoon. We took a bus for the first time in Rome since we were nowhere near a metro stop. The first bus that came was SUPER full, and we couldn't even get on! The 2nd bus we made it onto, but it was still super crowded! So the whole bus ride back to Termini station was pretty squished and super hot. NOT a good impression of the bus system... The metro is so much nicer! (Although the metro was also super squished this morning when we went to the Vatican, probably due to rush hour)
Pistachio and Stracciatella, covered in dark chocolate, all in a waffle cone!
We actually didn't end up having much time to rest, but we had to head out again before 6pm so that we could make it to the Colosseum before closing. This time we explored the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, although all I really did was walk around feeling hot and tired. And because we got there around 6:15, we only really got 45 minutes inside before they started closing and began to herd us out! Like literally, 3 different park employees blew their whistles at us and pointed us towards the exits, while we were walking towards the exit. They must have really wanted to close up and go home!
Panoramic view of the Roman Forum!
Afterwards, we tried to find a place to get aperitivo, but instead ended up at a fancy restaurant which offered aperitivo but not that much food to go with it :( However, we ended up getting really YUMMY cocktails! Mine was St. Germain, Vodka, blackberries and soda, and Stephanie's was I forget what but also super yummy. Afterwards, we tried again to meet up with Ian (successfully this time!) at a restaurant his orchestra group was eating at near the Trevi Fountain! Whoo meeting up with more people in Europe! Even if it was only for a quick chat... Afterwards, we finally went to the Trevi Fountain at night! Beautiful, as always. And then it was a tiring walk back to our hostel. We had such a busy day, but can't say all of it was enjoyable... :( I just remember getting back to the hostel and showering, and then realizing how TIRED my feet/legs were. Glad to be leaving Rome tomorrow! haha
Love this!
No comments:
Post a Comment