Italian treasures - Roma

Firstly, I have to say: Sorry, for the delay in blogging after returning from our inspiring travels. 

Reality(how dare it!) inflicted itself on to me so, its taking a few weeks to recover and settle.

Now, about our travels:

ROMA!

Did you know there are over 700 churches in Rome?

Well, we arrived finally after 21 hours flying to Roma.

Stayed in a wonderful airbnb apartment which for us, managed to create a feeling of living in Rome. It's a nice change from hotels and I can highly recommend it.

With 5 days to explore you get to really settle into a locale routine and feel the lifestyle.

Roma is full of energy and noise. Its unapologetic with its way and you just have to go with it!

First day and hit the ground running to all the usual places. Loving the organised chaos.

One moment of amore' (not for me- hehe) was at Trevi Fountain when this guy proposed marriage to his girl. The poliza even allowed them to enter the closed area and the entire crowd clapped and cheered when he got down on one knee and she said yes.

So romantic

It was a pleasure to go back to the places I had seen, including:

St Peters Basilica, the Vatican: museums and the Sistern chapel,The Parthenon, Piazza de Spagna to name afew.

Loved going to the Flavian Amputheatre - did you know this is what the Colosseum is called?

& The Forum.  But few tips that made the visits to these places special was a tour group : "Italy with us"www.italywithus.com.it
We used these guys for both our Vatican and Colosseum tour and they were the best!

The tour leaders are really knowledgeable and super passionate about their city. We learnt insights and stories about the sites that even after many visits, I did not know. And a bonus, we had some spare time so, Brain, our train guide, suggested that we visit this Basilica near by that had Michelangelo's Moses sculpture - St Maria Sopra Minerva Basilica. Wonderful!

If you can get Brian from Italy with us  for the Flavian Amputheatre tour - you would be blessed!

Trying to feel part of the flow of the city we spent many hours walking small streets, visiting local restaurants and discovering off the bend areas.

 If you go to Rome I recommend a morning in the Monti area near the Cavour neighbourhood. District (close to the Colosseum) for its quirky and funky stores, local cafes, bakeries and neighbourhood feel. (avoid during siesta as many places will be closed).

For a late afternoon jaunt - I suggest wandering across the Ponti Sista to Trastevere. This area is not so much a new discovery, as many tourists do now know about it, but its still a fun and lively place to stroll though in the evening with lots of young locals about and many restaurants to choice from for dinner.

My Tips:

Some recommendations for great traditional Roman meals -

• Osteria dei Cappellori - near Campo dei Fiori. - Fantastic and cheap! (suggest booking as its only small).
• Il Mercato - Inside Rome train station.

Accommodation; 

• We Used airbnb www.airbnb.com.au- and stayed with Francesca in a apartment "A promenade in the best of Rome" 5 mins walk from Campo di Flori. and very comfortable. We felt like locals!