Well tonight was my final night in Rome and I’m uncerain whether I’ll have time to post tomorrow, so while a follow up will be done when I’m back in the UK I might not get another chance while still over here.

Tonight I failed again to get in to La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali again (perhaps I really ought to book next time as it is listed as the 5th most popular restaurant in Rome on TripAdvisor, I went to some where slightly nearer to home but also with a high rating (127th out of over 4000) Le Tavernelle.  The food was great and I’m now stuffed.  As with many Roma restaurants it’s open late – I got there around 9/9:15 and left close to 11 while others were still on their starters.

I’m now near packed, my legs still hurt, but tomorrow I’ll be up and off to the airport after breakfast, so this may well be Ciao Roma.

Buona Notte.

Even as I set off this morning I could feel my legs. Yesterday was just too far and I found myself gingerly walking up hill to cut round the back of the Roman Type Writer so I could get the The Pantheon.  By the time I got to the otherside the worrying feelings were near gone and so I proceeded on to my target.

Where as The Colosseum left me neutral and The Trevi Fountain was nice but over-rated, The Pantheon from outside is just wow.  Not quite the wow of Todai-ji or Qtab Minitar, but not that far off.  Inside is equally impressive, but it could be argued all the Christian symbolism inside does ruin it a little.  Also I noticed European’s seem to have less respect for ancient religeous buildings (and in this case one still in use) than the Japanese. Actually come to think of it, my experience of Indian UNESCO World Herritage Sigths is that they will do the minimum to keep them going, so at least it’s better here.  The Pantheon is a must see when you’re in Rome. Continue reading →

I decided, or more acurately my tired limbs decided, that I would eat locally so I hit Trip Advisor.  My original choice was furthest away and listed 22nd in Rome for Trip Advisor restaurants.  Needless to say it was full.  The next place was no where in sight (perhaps it’s now closed) and so I went to my third option, Osteria della Suburra down the road from the hotel in via Urbana.  It’s a local’s haunt.  When ever I’ve set off for food around 6/7pm it had been closed, but on return it’s been full.  I got there around 21:!5 and only just got a table.  The food was decidedly average, nothing special, but this is the sort of safe place you keep in your back pocket and where locals will awlays go.  The atmosphere was decent and I did recognise some of the other diners from workshops and shops in the street.  Over time more people came in, this is obviosuly the sort of place that stays open late, real late.  Interstingly enough, not long before I left (around 23:00) an American couple sat down next to me.  Turns out they lived in this area for 5 years many moons ago when he studied at Rome University and that in recent years they have always come back to this place.  As I said this is a restaurant for locals who want a safe reliable meal.

Right now yawning.  Tomorrow is my last real day here so there’s a few places I want to hit, plus I’ve got psotcards and souveniers to buy so ciao.

I’m knackered.  I’ve been walking near non stop for over 7 hours today.  In the heat.  32 degrees C heat.

So I set off around 11 a.m. to wander up Via Urbana, on to Via Madona del Monti, past the forums, on to Piazza Venezzia and past the Roman Type Writer (Il Vittoriano), round the back, up the steps to Michalangelo’s Piazza del Campiodoglio, round back past the forums to the entrance to Palatino, lots of Roman ruins including various arches, the temple to Saturn, temples to Castor and Polux, Romulus & Remus, and so on.  Afteer having covered the entire area and taken lots of photos, I then left and went to ll Colosso, The Colosseum.  The ancient ruins are well worth wandering round, ust take a bottle of water with you (there’s a few spots in the zone where you can fill up for free, plus there’s various toilets dotted around) and expect to spend at least a few hours. Continue reading →

As ever I had plans, though part of them were in black and white.  I set off for the station and the main museum.  It was due to close at 19:30 so I had a few hours spare.  On arriving I wandered round the gardens outside and decided to leave it till tomorrow or Saturday as I was not sure I’d have enough time.  I thus wandered.  I reached Piazza Espagn, better known as The Spanish Steps.  The bottom level and the piazza were full of gawkers, hawkers and beggers (reminding me some what of Park Guel in Barcelona).  From there I went on to a back street restaurant recommended by an ex-colleague of mine, L’Enoteca Antica in Via della Croce.  While in a touristy area it was maily full of locals, always a good sign.  The food there was good and not ‘stock Italian’ (except for the dolce). Continue reading →

Round the corner is the magnificent Basilica Di Santa Maria Maggiore, a large domed church/cathedral with a cavernous, gilt filled interior.  It shouts grandeur, highlighting it’s importance before the Vatican came in to being.  The entrance is actually on the other side from Via Cavour, with the piazza on each side being separately named.  It is large and impressive, but the outside is nothing compared to in.  The main part is a single pillerless hall with chapels and confession booths off to each side.  The ceiling is high with plenty of gilt, but it’s not quite as bling or in your face as my description may sound.  You will need to check out the pictures once posted. Continue reading →

I should quickly point out that the late start was not due to getting up late, in fact I could have grabbed an extra half hour or so in bed if I’d thought about it (wish I had).  Internet here at the hotel is patchy and slow,so on deciding to upload the RAW pictures from my camera to a cloud site (MS Skydrive) it should have taken just a few hours maximum (it’s only about 0.5 GB), however I still have 3 files uploading and 1 to start out of 40 !! – it’s actually sped up this morning.  Once done I can delete the files from the camera (they are already on the laptop but I just want cover).

Waking up this morning the leg felt fine, but as soon as I wandered down to breakfast I could feel a slightly worrying stifness.  Thus my plans today will be a cautious wander.  Basilica Di Santa Maria Maggiore is just round the corner and is meant to be rather spectacular.  From there I have options in 3 directions depending on the comfort factor of the leg.  I fancy wandering back to and along the station to get to Porta Maggiore, though there’s not that much else around that area. From there I could hit Termini and get the metro up to Piazza Barbrini (Trevi Fountain) or Spagna (Spanish steps).  I’ll play it by ear.  Still need those uploads to finish ….