Rome, Italy
Thursday, June 18th (My birthday!)
Hours: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm in port
Another port where we are using Rome in Limo Tours! If you've read some of my other posts, you'll have figured out that Mike and I formed a group with some other cruisers "pre-cruise" by posting on www.cruisecritic.com. The details of our "group" are posted on another entry - but a quick summary: there are 8 of us altogether (Erin & Bryan from Orlando, Laura & Chris from Utah, Amy & Bill from New Jersey, and Mike & I).
Our plan in Rome: We have booked the "Highlights of Rome" tour with Rome in Limo (www.romeinlimo.com). Including the cost of the tour, gratuity, and admission fees, our portion of this tour is approximately $287.25E.
Our guide will pick us up directly at the port and then the adventure begins!
One stop will be in the heart of Rome, where the Victor Emanuel Monument is located. This is sometimes called the "Wedding Cake" - you'll see why in this photo:
Then, it's on to even more ancient sites in this beautiful city, including:
The Roman Forum
The Forum, the heart of the Roman Empire for almost 1,000 years, is today a romantic jungle of ruins. The historical significance is overwhelming; after all, you're walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar, Nero, Claudius, and countless other resonant names from antiquity. The tour books say to allow up to 2 hours to explore the site.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum, or "Colosseo", once the scene of gladiatorial combat, is now Rome's most majestic monument. It was begun around AD 70 by Emperor Vespasian on the former site of an ornamental lake. The marshy conditions required the laying of enormous drains, many of which survive. By the time of Vespasian's death in AD 79 the monument was finished to its third tier. Additions were made by his son, Titus, who inaugurated the Colosseum in AD 80 with celebrations that saw 100 days of festivities and the slaughter of 5,000 animals.
The completed structure had tiered seating and 80 exits, allowing huge crowds to leave in minutes. A vast roof could be unfurled to protect spectators from the elements. The stage area could also be flooded for re-enacted sea battles. Spectators were rigidly segregrated - and some groups, such as gravediggers and actors - were banned altogether.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of Europe's best-preserved ancient buildings; its majestic outlines have remained virtually unchanged despite the passage of almost 2,000 years. It was built between AD 115 and 125 by Emperor Hadrian; it was converted to a Christian church in AD 608.
The tour includes a walk through Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and an opportunity to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain. After lunch and shopping, we'll visit the Vatican City, the smallest state in the world.
We'll also visit the Catacombs, as well as St. Peter's Basilica, which is considered the world's most famous church. It has a rigid dress code, forbidding shorts, short skirts, or skimpy tops. Women should cover their shoulders and men should dress with decorum. I am planning on wearing a cotton skirt, with a lightweight t-shirt, while in port this day.
After the cruise, I'll post my own reviews, as well as photos. Be sure to check back!
We are thoroughly enjoying your blog and are about to do a 7 day cruise. Do you have recommendations for excursions or private tours in Rome, Capri, Portofino, Pompei, Pisa or Florence? I have heard to stop briefly at Pisa for a few photos and then head on to Florence. We leave for Barcelona Sept. 30 and can hardly sleep for the excitement.
ReplyDeleteSassy - I'm glad you're enjoying the blog! As far as excursions - in Italy, we used RomeinLimo.com and thoroughly enjoyed everything we did. In Rome, we did the city tour - as it was our first time there - it was awesome. It included all the famous stops in Rome, as well as a guided tour of the Vatican. In Livorno, we did the Cinque Terre tour and the Pisa - had to see the Leaning Tower - again, awesome. We opted not to do Florence as we figured we'd see enough museums and architecture in Rome - we wanted to see Italian countryside. The Cinque Terre was worth it. In Naples, we did Pompeii - one of our favorite places - and then went down the Amalfi Coast. Barcelona itself was great - we did a Barcelona Taxi Tour and saw lots of stuff - but the HOHO bus is just as good, I've heard. Have fun with your cruise! And thanks for commenting!
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