After spending a wonderful 2 pampered days in Naples, we continue our journey to Rome. There's a saying "Many roads lead to Rome". Yeah, never occur in my mind that I finally step my feet in Rome, the land of love, capital city of Italy, one of the oldest city in Europe. We take an early train from Napoli, we booked the ticket early and pay 9 euro for it. Giovanni called a taxi for us, to bring us to the train station. We paid 10 euro for the cab fare. It took only an hour and 10 minutes to get to Rome.
Day 7 - When in Rome
We arrived in Rome at 07.50, the sun is still sleeping, the wind blows the coldness of morning. We dragged our suitcase to our one last stop before we continue to explore other country (or going back to, for Mariella). We stayed in GardenRome hostel (18.50euro/night/person). I had a 5 bed female dorm, with ensuite bathroom. Gardenrome hostel is an apartment that transformed into hostel. There are 3 rooms in this hostel, 4 bed dorm and 5 bed dorm, the hostel also has kitchen where you can cook your own meal, fridge to store your food, TV in each room, and Air Conditioner. We can't checked in yet, until after 12, so we dropped our bag and continue our journey. Our plan for today is to visit Colosseum and Roman Forum. Strolling our way to Colosseum we passed some interesting buildings and church, you can enter some of the churches for free. But keep in mind to cover your shoulder and knee when entering the church.
After almost an hour of walking (don't be scared, it's not that far, but we stopped a lot to take pictures and we just walk really slow to enjoy the city) we finally arrived at Colosseum. Colosseum, a famous elliptical amphitheater in the middle of the city of Rome. It's the largest amphitheater of Roman Empire, the greatest work of Roman architecture and engineering, and also the largest amphitheater in the world. It's was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine. To enter the Colosseum you have to pay 16.50 euro (Including Roman Forum and Palatine, valid for 2 days). You can buy the ticket in Colosseum or Palatine, but it's better if you buy it in front of the Palatine (less queuing line).
After finished walking around Colosseum in the middle of the hot summery day of Rome, we continue our journey to Roman Forum & Palatine, that located right next to Colosseum. The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was the central area of the city around which ancient Rome developed. Here was where commerce, business, prostitution, cult and the administration of justice took place. Space where religious activities were conducted and the communal hearth of the city. When you got out from Colosseum you can also see Arch of Constantine, a 25m high monument built in AD315 to mark the victory of Constantine over Maxentius at Pons Milvius.
It took around 6-7 hours for us to explore Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine, sounds exhausting I know, but you don't have to rush your self and finish it in one day just like we did, because the ticket is valid for 2 days. Be careful of the man in roman uniform scam, they will force you to take pictures with them and ask some money. On our way back to our hostel we passed some more beautiful building in Rome. We're so exhausted and decided to end our day with a home-cooked pasta (I cooked it :p)
Day 8 - Vatican Museum and Fontana di Trevi
Wake up early in the morning to get to Vatican, they said you have to be there early to avoid the queue. So we woke up early get dressed and get out around 9ish from the hostel. We took a metro, because we want to be there early. The weather is not friendly, it was raining, and cold. It took only around 10 minutes with the Metro (Line A to Cipro). Metro only cost 1.50 for a single trip, valid for 100 minutes (Which means you can take any transportation of your choice from the first time you validate until 100 minutes after). When we get to Vatican museum, the line is already long, and the rain doesn't help either, so we stand in the rain for almost 1 hour (Later on we found out that around 2ish when we finished exploring the museum, there are no lines *sigh*). The ticket cost 16euro, or 8 with reduction (for students with valid ID). The Vatican Museums, located inside the Vatican City State, are among the greatest museums in the world, since they display works from the immense collection built up by the Roman Catholic Church throughout the centuries including some of the most renowned classical sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. So whether you love art, or just want to see the Michelangelo painting on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum is worth to visit.
After 3 hours exploring the museum, we continue our journey, walk around the Vatican wall to St. Peter Basilica, quoting my friend statement Mariella "I've never thought I could step my feet in this church, the one I usually only see on TV on Easter Mass". It's free to enter the church, but you really have to cover your knees and shoulder, or they won't allow you to enter the church. It's still cloudy, makes it hard to take pictures, but at least it's not raining anymore. After the Basilica, we walk back to Rome, passing Ponte Sant'Angelo (Angel Bridge), through Piazza del Popolo, and ends in Fontana di Trevi. Don't forget to throw some coins here, so one day you will be back in Rome ;)
Day 9 - Just Relax
Colosseum-checked, Vatican-checked, what to do... what to do... last day in Rome we already explore the city of Rome (Maybe not all of them), seeing some of the important things in Rome. On our last day in Rome we decided to go to the beach. Yes, beach in Rome, after 9 days in Italy we haven't set our feet on the beach, true we went to Napoli, and spent a few minutes in Montessoro Beach, but we're not satisfied yet, and we have a messy tan-line because of the clothes we wore and extremely hot sunshine of Italy. So today we're going to the beach in Ostia. Ostia is a large neighbourhood in the XIII Municipio of the comune of Rome, Italy. Ostia (also called Ostia Lido or Lido di Roma or Lido di Ostia) is also the only municipio or district of Rome on the Tyrrhenian Sea and many Romans spend the summer holidays there. Sometimes it is confused with Ostia Antica, an archaeological area, that is nearby. With about 85,000 inhabitants, Ostia is the most populated frazione of Italy after Mestre, sometimes considered simply a part, and not a hamlet, of Venice. To get here you can take a metro and stop at Piramide and get on The Lido Train to Ostia, you can find the signs leading to the train, you can use the one way ticket of metro 1.50 for this trip. In Ostia you can also visit Ostia Antica, one of the ruins (like pompeii). You can walk to the beach or take a bus (I prefer to walk because I don't know which bus I have to take,I tried to google but still couldn't find the answer). It take about 15-20 minutes to get to the beach, on the beach side you can see lots of private beach where you have to pay around 10euro per person, but they will give you umbrella and chair to sit down, but as you walk along the beach you will find some free and open beach, with no walls, gate whatsoever, so you can lay down and start sunbathing. People said it usually crowded on summer, but luckily the weather was a bit cloudy so it wasn't that crowded.
Day 10 - Going Home
Yup, it's our last day in Italy. Mariella will go back to Netherlands, and I will continue my journey to Athens, the land of gods. We take the terravision bus and pay 6euro to get to the Airport. You can buy the ticket at the terravision cafe, next to the train station, you will see big bus parking with terravision sticker, and the office is just somewhere near that bus.
Conclusion: Italy is lots of fun and has a lot to offer. Book early is your key to get a cheap accommodation. We only spent around 500euro for this trip, with saving in food, because we prefer to cook our own meal instead of eating out in restaurant. Cut unnecessary budget, like metro or bus when you can walk for just 20 minutes (It's a great workout). Beware of scam or pickpocket, leave your important document locked in Hostel.
Day 7 - When in Rome
We arrived in Rome at 07.50, the sun is still sleeping, the wind blows the coldness of morning. We dragged our suitcase to our one last stop before we continue to explore other country (or going back to, for Mariella). We stayed in GardenRome hostel (18.50euro/night/person). I had a 5 bed female dorm, with ensuite bathroom. Gardenrome hostel is an apartment that transformed into hostel. There are 3 rooms in this hostel, 4 bed dorm and 5 bed dorm, the hostel also has kitchen where you can cook your own meal, fridge to store your food, TV in each room, and Air Conditioner. We can't checked in yet, until after 12, so we dropped our bag and continue our journey. Our plan for today is to visit Colosseum and Roman Forum. Strolling our way to Colosseum we passed some interesting buildings and church, you can enter some of the churches for free. But keep in mind to cover your shoulder and knee when entering the church.
 |
| Inside of Random Church |
 |
| Random Building |
After almost an hour of walking (don't be scared, it's not that far, but we stopped a lot to take pictures and we just walk really slow to enjoy the city) we finally arrived at Colosseum. Colosseum, a famous elliptical amphitheater in the middle of the city of Rome. It's the largest amphitheater of Roman Empire, the greatest work of Roman architecture and engineering, and also the largest amphitheater in the world. It's was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine. To enter the Colosseum you have to pay 16.50 euro (Including Roman Forum and Palatine, valid for 2 days). You can buy the ticket in Colosseum or Palatine, but it's better if you buy it in front of the Palatine (less queuing line).
 |
| Inside Colosseum |
 |
| Colosseum |
 |
| Inside Colosseum |
 |
| Arch of Constantine |
 |
| Palatine |
 |
| Palatine |
 |
| Roman Forum |
Day 8 - Vatican Museum and Fontana di Trevi
Wake up early in the morning to get to Vatican, they said you have to be there early to avoid the queue. So we woke up early get dressed and get out around 9ish from the hostel. We took a metro, because we want to be there early. The weather is not friendly, it was raining, and cold. It took only around 10 minutes with the Metro (Line A to Cipro). Metro only cost 1.50 for a single trip, valid for 100 minutes (Which means you can take any transportation of your choice from the first time you validate until 100 minutes after). When we get to Vatican museum, the line is already long, and the rain doesn't help either, so we stand in the rain for almost 1 hour (Later on we found out that around 2ish when we finished exploring the museum, there are no lines *sigh*). The ticket cost 16euro, or 8 with reduction (for students with valid ID). The Vatican Museums, located inside the Vatican City State, are among the greatest museums in the world, since they display works from the immense collection built up by the Roman Catholic Church throughout the centuries including some of the most renowned classical sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. So whether you love art, or just want to see the Michelangelo painting on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum is worth to visit.
 |
| Vatican Museum |
 |
| The View from Inside the Museum |
 |
| Beautiful Ceiling inside |
 |
| Spiral Stair |
 |
| Sistine Chapel |
 |
| St. Peter Basilica |
 |
| Ponte Sant' Angelo |
 |
| Piazza del Popolo |
 |
| Fontana di Trevi |
 |
| Supercrowded |
Day 9 - Just Relax
Colosseum-checked, Vatican-checked, what to do... what to do... last day in Rome we already explore the city of Rome (Maybe not all of them), seeing some of the important things in Rome. On our last day in Rome we decided to go to the beach. Yes, beach in Rome, after 9 days in Italy we haven't set our feet on the beach, true we went to Napoli, and spent a few minutes in Montessoro Beach, but we're not satisfied yet, and we have a messy tan-line because of the clothes we wore and extremely hot sunshine of Italy. So today we're going to the beach in Ostia. Ostia is a large neighbourhood in the XIII Municipio of the comune of Rome, Italy. Ostia (also called Ostia Lido or Lido di Roma or Lido di Ostia) is also the only municipio or district of Rome on the Tyrrhenian Sea and many Romans spend the summer holidays there. Sometimes it is confused with Ostia Antica, an archaeological area, that is nearby. With about 85,000 inhabitants, Ostia is the most populated frazione of Italy after Mestre, sometimes considered simply a part, and not a hamlet, of Venice. To get here you can take a metro and stop at Piramide and get on The Lido Train to Ostia, you can find the signs leading to the train, you can use the one way ticket of metro 1.50 for this trip. In Ostia you can also visit Ostia Antica, one of the ruins (like pompeii). You can walk to the beach or take a bus (I prefer to walk because I don't know which bus I have to take,I tried to google but still couldn't find the answer). It take about 15-20 minutes to get to the beach, on the beach side you can see lots of private beach where you have to pay around 10euro per person, but they will give you umbrella and chair to sit down, but as you walk along the beach you will find some free and open beach, with no walls, gate whatsoever, so you can lay down and start sunbathing. People said it usually crowded on summer, but luckily the weather was a bit cloudy so it wasn't that crowded.
 |
| Ostia Beach |
 |
| Sleepy Traveller |
Day 10 - Going Home
Yup, it's our last day in Italy. Mariella will go back to Netherlands, and I will continue my journey to Athens, the land of gods. We take the terravision bus and pay 6euro to get to the Airport. You can buy the ticket at the terravision cafe, next to the train station, you will see big bus parking with terravision sticker, and the office is just somewhere near that bus.
Conclusion: Italy is lots of fun and has a lot to offer. Book early is your key to get a cheap accommodation. We only spent around 500euro for this trip, with saving in food, because we prefer to cook our own meal instead of eating out in restaurant. Cut unnecessary budget, like metro or bus when you can walk for just 20 minutes (It's a great workout). Beware of scam or pickpocket, leave your important document locked in Hostel.