Here is some more information about the different areas of Rome. Rome is a great city to wander in (as Diana wants to do), and you will see from the map that all of the important sites are pretty close together (walk, cab or bus). Below is a Google map I have created that includes the various points of interest that I talk about. If you zoom in (click on the +) you can actually see the buildings and if you click on the rounded arrow on the map it will tell you what it is.
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In the Centro Storico (historic center) of Rome, Piazza Navona (red arrow) is a “square” that started in the 1st century as Roman circus where they held games, sort of like a sports stadium or track field. It is not square, but an oblong area now surrounded by houses, shops and hotels which shelter several well-known fountains as well as outdoor cafes. At one time the piazza was the home of the city open-air marketplace which has been moved to the Campo di’Fiori (blue arrow) a few blocks to the south.
Many blocks northeast are the Spanish Steps (purple arrow), the upscale shopping, the Trevi Fountain (turquoise arrow). To the west is the Castel Sant’Angelo (a blue arrow), St. Peter’s and the Vatican (another blue arrow). If you want to see the Vatican, you should check into making reservations or getting a tour since there are usually long lines to get in.
The Pantheon (green arrow) was originally built in 27 BC, but the current construction dates to 125 AD. It is the most amazing giant dome building with a central opening (oculus) that is open to the sky. The height of the dome is equal to its diameter, and the entire structure will take your breath away. It is still used as a church. The square outside the Pantheon is a lively meeting place full of sidewalk cafes and restaurants.
The Via Veneto (yellow arrow) is a mile or so east of the Centro Storico. The neighborhood was developed in the 1700s with elaborate villas and vacation homes of the rich Romans, which during the 1800s were converted to hotels, restaurants and bars. It is a street that was made famous as the fashionable place to live and gather by the movie La Dolce Vita. At one end of the street is Piazza Barberini with several famous fountains. Most guidebooks point out that the rich and famous are no longer found at the charming sidewalk cafes (although it still sounds charming).
A couple of miles from these neighborhoods are the ancient Roman ruins of the Colosseum (a blue arrow), the Forum and those historical sites. The hotel where Diana and Roger are staying is near the Stazione (to the right on the map).
This is easily do-able just wandering around a day (or parts of two days) and evening. Another option for Rome is the Hop On and Off bus from Viator. It is less than $25 for 24 hours, and you can also get it for 48 hours. You can also grab a cab if your feet get tired!
When we were in Rome we took a cab from Campo d'Fiori (where we were staying) to the Vatican, spent the most of the day there and at St. Peters, walked back, stopping at the Piazza Navona. Another day we took a cab to the Colosseum and Forum (you buy one ticket to get in to both places), then took a cab to the Spanish Steps and then walked back to the Campo stopping at the Pantheon. The Campo d'Fiori is such an amazing market that we spent many hours just soaking up that atmosphere and there was a near-by Pizza Rustica place were we ate several meals (you know how you get stuck and comfortable someplace). I will interested to see if it is still there!
Enjoy
View Larger Map
In the Centro Storico (historic center) of Rome, Piazza Navona (red arrow) is a “square” that started in the 1st century as Roman circus where they held games, sort of like a sports stadium or track field. It is not square, but an oblong area now surrounded by houses, shops and hotels which shelter several well-known fountains as well as outdoor cafes. At one time the piazza was the home of the city open-air marketplace which has been moved to the Campo di’Fiori (blue arrow) a few blocks to the south.
Many blocks northeast are the Spanish Steps (purple arrow), the upscale shopping, the Trevi Fountain (turquoise arrow). To the west is the Castel Sant’Angelo (a blue arrow), St. Peter’s and the Vatican (another blue arrow). If you want to see the Vatican, you should check into making reservations or getting a tour since there are usually long lines to get in.
The Pantheon (green arrow) was originally built in 27 BC, but the current construction dates to 125 AD. It is the most amazing giant dome building with a central opening (oculus) that is open to the sky. The height of the dome is equal to its diameter, and the entire structure will take your breath away. It is still used as a church. The square outside the Pantheon is a lively meeting place full of sidewalk cafes and restaurants.
The Via Veneto (yellow arrow) is a mile or so east of the Centro Storico. The neighborhood was developed in the 1700s with elaborate villas and vacation homes of the rich Romans, which during the 1800s were converted to hotels, restaurants and bars. It is a street that was made famous as the fashionable place to live and gather by the movie La Dolce Vita. At one end of the street is Piazza Barberini with several famous fountains. Most guidebooks point out that the rich and famous are no longer found at the charming sidewalk cafes (although it still sounds charming).
A couple of miles from these neighborhoods are the ancient Roman ruins of the Colosseum (a blue arrow), the Forum and those historical sites. The hotel where Diana and Roger are staying is near the Stazione (to the right on the map).
This is easily do-able just wandering around a day (or parts of two days) and evening. Another option for Rome is the Hop On and Off bus from Viator. It is less than $25 for 24 hours, and you can also get it for 48 hours. You can also grab a cab if your feet get tired!
When we were in Rome we took a cab from Campo d'Fiori (where we were staying) to the Vatican, spent the most of the day there and at St. Peters, walked back, stopping at the Piazza Navona. Another day we took a cab to the Colosseum and Forum (you buy one ticket to get in to both places), then took a cab to the Spanish Steps and then walked back to the Campo stopping at the Pantheon. The Campo d'Fiori is such an amazing market that we spent many hours just soaking up that atmosphere and there was a near-by Pizza Rustica place were we ate several meals (you know how you get stuck and comfortable someplace). I will interested to see if it is still there!
Enjoy
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