Rome
Three days in Rome, 29 April–1 May 2010, before taking the train to Civitavecchia to board the Eastern Mediterranean cruise. Highlights: the Vatican Museums, Piazza San Pietro, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Colosseum and Forum, the Pantheon, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, and Trastevere.
- Historic marker
Colosseum
Visited: Apr 29, 2010
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
The amphitheatre — first-day essential.
- Historic marker
Roman Forum
Visited: Apr 29, 2010
How I got there: Walk — Next to the Colosseum
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
The civic centre of ancient Rome, with Palatine Hill above it.
- Historic marker
Vatican Museums
Visited: Apr 30, 2010
How I got there: Transit
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Sistine Chapel and the Raphael rooms — the highlight of the Vatican.
- Historic marker
Piazza San Pietro
Visited: Apr 30, 2010
How I got there: Walk — From the Vatican Museums
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Bernini’s colonnade and the square in front of the basilica.
- Historic marker
Castel Sant’Angelo
Visited: Apr 30, 2010
How I got there: Walk — From Piazza San Pietro along the Tiber
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Hadrian’s mausoleum on the river — a short walk from the Vatican.
- Attraction
Piazza di Spagna
Visited: May 1, 2010
How I got there: Transit
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
The Spanish Steps — the other great piazza of the historic centre.
- Attraction
Fontana di Trevi
Visited: May 1, 2010
How I got there: Walk — From Piazza di Spagna through the centro storico
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
The baroque fountain in the tight streets of the historic centre.
- Historic marker
Pantheon
Visited: May 1, 2010
How I got there: Walk — From the Fontana di Trevi
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Hadrian’s dome — still the best-preserved ancient building in the city.
- Attraction
Piazza Navona
Visited: May 1, 2010
How I got there: Walk — From the Pantheon
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Baroque square with the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
- Attraction
Trastevere
Visited: May 1, 2010
How I got there: Walk — Across the Tiber from the historic centre
· Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Evening neighbourhood across the river — cobblestones, trattorie, Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Route summary: Colosseum → Roman Forum → Vatican Museums → Piazza San Pietro → Castel Sant’Angelo → Piazza di Spagna → Fontana di Trevi → Pantheon → Piazza Navona → Trastevere