Rome | Sherry Lachelle Travels

Back in November, while I was recovering from a hip replacement, I decided to plan an 11 week trip to five countries in Europe, leaving April 2nd and returning June 20th. I would sit at my computer for 8-10 hours a day with my hip throbbing to research for the trip. I decided to spend three weeks in Italy, three weeks in France, two weeks in Germany (I used to live there when I was in the military), 10 nights on the Greek Islands, and two weeks in Switzerland. My itinerary ended up being almost 40 pages long. To make the trip affordable I booked lodging (21 accommodations) thru Airbnb and Booking.com and chose places that were a 5 – 15 minute walk from the train station, so I wouldn’t have to take taxis. I had been to all of the countries, but previously had only visited Rome (for 6 hours from a cruise ship) and Paris (took my niece there in 2007).

My first stop was Rome, Italy for 6 nights. I booked a room sharing a kitchen with two other rooms thru Airbnb. I had pre-planned walking routes using Google Maps.

The Trevi Fountain was being cleaned…

The Pantheon

I don’t remember the name of this fountain

I’m an early bird…no people at the Spanish Steps

The Villa Borghese park was lovely

This was interesting art

Another cool fountain

This was in the Trastevere neighborhood

Lots of sidewalk cafes

The pizza was sooo good!

Yummy cappuccino

I should’ve prepared ahead of time for all of the walking.

Boarding the train in Civitavecchia, Italy, on my way to explore Rome for the first time, I was prepared for the long day ahead. Having organized my own shore excursion to save money, in lieu of purchasing one through Royal Caribbean, I was aware of the strict timeline for my traveling companion and I. Twelve hours to make our way to Rome, explore and return. I had purchased train tickets in advance and the trip was approximately 1 1/2 hrs, each way. The first stop was Vatican City and I was surprised by how quickly we were able to gain entry. Unfortunately we weren’t able to see St. Peter’s Basilica because the Pope was going to speak.

I’m not sure how I managed to get a photo in Vatican City without a person in it…

We quickly walked out of that Country and entered Rome! Next…we crossed the Tiber River. Side note: I was using someone else’s camera…mine had broken!

This is where the fun started. Although we were equipped with three maps, locating the Pantheon was not happening. I’m usually very good with maps. I started asking people for directions. My theory from years of traveling is that unless you get a gut feeling someone’s directions are really good…ask someone else…which I did…again and again…so we arrived at the Pantheon (which I didn’t post a picture of).

Multiple people were responsible for our arrival to the Trevi Fountain…which we tossed a coin into standing backwards. That way you are assured you’ll return to Rome!

The following two pictures are obviously a street with lots of people and a street with very few!

We were guided by a few kind souls to the Spanish Steps…which we didn’t climb attempting to conserve energy for all of the walking!

I’m not sure what or where this was…but it had nice light!

Finally, armed with directions from the friendly locals, we headed towards the Coliseum.

You can almost imagine yourself living back in the “hey day” of the Roman Empire!

Rome was a City that surprised me for a variety of reasons. I was surprised that you’re just walking along and then the Coliseum is…just there…I thought it would be farther outside of the City! I did so much research on the flight, cruise, train travel and hotels that I didn’t research every City – I guess it’s nice to be surprised sometimes!

For some reason, I thought Rome would be a bit “dirty” and be more crowded, but it wasn’t!

Tomorrow we skip over to Croatia…one of my favorite places!