Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio, ItalyVivicos International Travel - 3-hour Tour
About a mile walk to the tour office. Stopped constantly taking pictures along the way.
The very impressive Piazza Venezia is only a couple blocks from our hotel. The Palazzo Venezia is completely overshadowed by the 400+ foot wide Vittoriano (i.e. The Wedding Cake), a monument to Italy’s first king, Victorio Emanuele II.
About a mile walk to the tour office. Stopped constantly taking pictures along the way.
The very impressive Piazza Venezia is only a couple blocks from our hotel. The Palazzo Venezia is completely overshadowed by the 400+ foot wide Vittoriano (i.e. The Wedding Cake), a monument to Italy’s first king, Victorio Emanuele II.
- Rome’s largest round-a-bout where four major roads meet. On one side you can look down Rome’s longest street, Via del Corso, to the ancient northern gates of the city; from another angle, the ruins of the Imperial Forums lead to the Colosseum. Piazza Venezia was named after Cardinal Venezia who, in 1455, ordered the construction of his own Palace.
The bronze equestrian statue of the king is gigantic! The enormous white building and statue are totally "over the top"!
Across the street is Trajan's Column and Church of Santa Maria di Loreto.
Across the street is Trajan's Column and Church of Santa Maria di Loreto.
Amazing excavation area next to the piazza and church.--Trajan Forum 112-3AD runis. "Hadrian's hall: archaeologists excavated Roman arts center built in AD123 that could seat 900 people."
Walkway through the ruins with signs explaining the excavations with diagrams of what it would have looked like.
Fascinating walk along via dei Forti Imperial with the Colosseum at the other end.
The ruins along the street are the back of the ancient Roman Forum. Such a historic street walk!!
Vivicos Tour was on a tiny side street a couple of blocks from the Colosseum. Arrived about 15 minutes early. Yea, a gelato place was just around the corner. Passed a sign that perfectly expressed my feelings about pizza.
Supposed to be 18 people maximum; there were 24 (hate when they do this). Juliann guide; distributed the headsets. Left at 10:30 walking the couple blocks to the Colosseum.
COLOSSEUM
Walkway through the ruins with signs explaining the excavations with diagrams of what it would have looked like.
Fascinating walk along via dei Forti Imperial with the Colosseum at the other end.
The ruins along the street are the back of the ancient Roman Forum. Such a historic street walk!!
Vivicos Tour was on a tiny side street a couple of blocks from the Colosseum. Arrived about 15 minutes early. Yea, a gelato place was just around the corner. Passed a sign that perfectly expressed my feelings about pizza.
Supposed to be 18 people maximum; there were 24 (hate when they do this). Juliann guide; distributed the headsets. Left at 10:30 walking the couple blocks to the Colosseum.
COLOSSEUM
- One of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Built between 72-80 AD, could then hold about 50,000 spectators. It's still the largest amphitheater in the world.
INSPIRES WONDER.
Walked around the outside of this massive iconic structure. What are all the holes in the stone? Some parts of the Colosseum, including the marble facade, were removed and used in the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and the Spanish Steps.
Entered through Gladiators' entrance on the Arena/fighting area.
Note: Can only go on the Arena with a tour.
Below were the underground chambers and passageways that were originally covered by a wooden floor (called the hypogeum). Strange feeling to be standing where a gladiator once fought.
Julianne talked about life as a gladiator. 400,000 people lost their lives and over a million wild animals were slaughtered during festivals and games that could last up to a 100 days. Interesting exhibits about life as a gladiator: armor they used to wear and weapons each gladiator fought with depending on their rank and training.
Walked along the ancient tiers and corridors that date back over 2,000 years. Seating for the amphitheater levels was based on social rank with slaves and women on the very top.
Upper level had the best panoramic view of the Colosseum, as well as looking out the arched windows at Rome.
Spent an hour here. About a 10-min walk to Palantine Hill passing Constantine Arch.
Entered through Gladiators' entrance on the Arena/fighting area.
Note: Can only go on the Arena with a tour.
Below were the underground chambers and passageways that were originally covered by a wooden floor (called the hypogeum). Strange feeling to be standing where a gladiator once fought.
Julianne talked about life as a gladiator. 400,000 people lost their lives and over a million wild animals were slaughtered during festivals and games that could last up to a 100 days. Interesting exhibits about life as a gladiator: armor they used to wear and weapons each gladiator fought with depending on their rank and training.
Walked along the ancient tiers and corridors that date back over 2,000 years. Seating for the amphitheater levels was based on social rank with slaves and women on the very top.
Upper level had the best panoramic view of the Colosseum, as well as looking out the arched windows at Rome.
Spent an hour here. About a 10-min walk to Palantine Hill passing Constantine Arch.
PALANTINE HILL
- This is where Romulus supposedly founded the city in 753 BC. The hill was inhabited as far back as 10th century BC. Emperors built Imperial Palaces here and this is one of Rome's most important historic places.
Legends say this is where history began. It was the site of the Lupercal Cave where a she-wolf found Romulus and Remus; of which there are statues throughout the city.
Enjoyed having a guide tell about legends and history of Eternal Rome.
The viewing balcony at the northern end of the hill had the most stunning views of Rome. Totally incredible being right above the ancient Roman Forum ruins seeing the entire site spread out below.
ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM
Remains are all together from several centuries due to the practice of building over earlier ruins. The excavations took over 100 years and it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became fully excavated.
It felt like stepping back through time exploring the ruins of how ancient Romans once lived day-to-day lives as merchants-traders. The ancient city’s arches & pillars were a reminder of the grand Roman Empire that once was.
Definitely worth doing the tour. Learned so much ancient history as well as no waiting in long lines for tickets.
The viewing balcony at the northern end of the hill had the most stunning views of Rome. Totally incredible being right above the ancient Roman Forum ruins seeing the entire site spread out below.
ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM
Remains are all together from several centuries due to the practice of building over earlier ruins. The excavations took over 100 years and it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became fully excavated.
It felt like stepping back through time exploring the ruins of how ancient Romans once lived day-to-day lives as merchants-traders. The ancient city’s arches & pillars were a reminder of the grand Roman Empire that once was.
Definitely worth doing the tour. Learned so much ancient history as well as no waiting in long lines for tickets.
After walking for almost 5 hours, we were really ready for a break and something to eat. Crossed the street and sat down at the first restaurant with a large outdoor area--Massenzio Ai Fori; very touristy--pizza, just ok, cold drink, great.
Same way back to hotel stopping at Piazza di San Marco's Pine Cone Fountain.
Across the way was the back of Vittoriano monument. Went down the steps, sat by the fountain admiring the huge monument and its statues. Not far to the hotel so we can collapse for a few hours.
Across the way was the back of Vittoriano monument. Went down the steps, sat by the fountain admiring the huge monument and its statues. Not far to the hotel so we can collapse for a few hours.
Perfect evening for dinner in TRASTEVERE. We're ready for more walking, especially along the river. Every time we go through Largo di Torre Argentina archaeological site, we discover something new. Pleasant walkway along river crossing on the Garibaldi bridge. Piazza Maria Trastevere was a lively square full of people.
Love walking these narrow, cobbled streets that are loaded with charm. Dahlia, lady at the hotel, recommended dinner at Pizzicaroli, but they only had meat/cheese platters. The girl at counter suggested going across the street to Vecchia Trastevere. They just opened so we were the only people in the small restaurant. Food fantastic: Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, pesto; Lasagna (delicious); Tiramesu (best ever; not like at home, more like a trifle); $25--more reasonable prices than in the high tourist areas--and better food. Talked with a couple from Texas who were staying in old convent in Trastevere--Dona Camilla Savelli--and they love it; especially the gardens! Sounds like a neat place to stay if we every come here again.
Love walking these narrow, cobbled streets that are loaded with charm. Dahlia, lady at the hotel, recommended dinner at Pizzicaroli, but they only had meat/cheese platters. The girl at counter suggested going across the street to Vecchia Trastevere. They just opened so we were the only people in the small restaurant. Food fantastic: Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, pesto; Lasagna (delicious); Tiramesu (best ever; not like at home, more like a trifle); $25--more reasonable prices than in the high tourist areas--and better food. Talked with a couple from Texas who were staying in old convent in Trastevere--Dona Camilla Savelli--and they love it; especially the gardens! Sounds like a neat place to stay if we every come here again.
Great night views looking down the Tiber River. Beautiful way to end another fabulous day in Rome!
2025-05-22