With only one more day in Rome, we woke up this morning with a mission. We had purchased City Sightseeing (24-hour) bus passes in order to hit all of Rome's top historical sights. Our goal was to get to the Colosseum before it opened, so we left early. However, what we thought was going to be a 15-20 minute bus ride, turned out to be an hour and a half! We didn't realize how many stops we would make along the way, or the amount of waiting we would spend at each stop. So, after we arrived at our first destination we threw our bus passes away and spent the rest of the day walking around Rome.
Our first view of the Colosseum (70-80 AD.) Not pictured: the long line waiting for us on the other side.
The Arch of Constantine (315 AD)
The long line outside of the Colosseum. Luckily, it was a beautiful day.
The hypogeum; an underground network of tunnels where the gladiators and animals waited before the games began. All of this was enclosed (the stage has been removed.)
Tours of the hypogeum are available, but make sure to sign up ahead of time.
The Arch of Titus (82 AD), located inside the Roman Forum
The Roman Forum, which was the center of Roman life for centures. It holds the ruins of several ancient government buildings
High society; the center of Roman public life
The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum
Campo de Fiori (a marketplace that is south of Piazza Navona); several vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, and souvenirs.
Forno Campo de' Fiori - a bakery with the most delicious snacks and sandwiches.
St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City (completed in 1626)
St. Peter's Basilica is an Italian Renaissance Church. It is regarded as the greatest building of its time and one of the largest churches in the world.
St. Peter's Basilica
View of the top of the dome in St. Peter's Basilica
Mass in St. Peter's Basilica
Tile artwork lines the walkway around the inside of the dome in St. Peter's Basilica
There is an option to either walk the entire 551 steps up to the top of St. Peter's Basilica's dome, or take an elevator half-way and then walk 320 steps. There is no wheelchair access and no other option to see the top. I would highly recommend making this trek.
The stairs are narrow and steep. So, this would not be for those who are claustrophobic, acrophobic, or disabled.
Stairs leading up to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica
View from the top of St. Peter's Basilica
View from the top of St. Peter's Basilica
The dome at St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The first steps inside this sacred church will take your breath away. The architecture is so grandiose and intricate at the same time. How they could have created something so magnificent is beyond me.
Crepuscular rays inside St. Peter's Basilica
The altar with the baldacchino; a 98 ft tall structure that is claimed to be the largest bronze piece in the world. The baldacchino serves as a holy space above and around the table on which the Sacrament is laid for the Eucharist.
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The plaque with the list of popes buried in St. Peter's.
Another view of the altar with the baldacchino
St. Peter's Basilica
The tomb of Pope Alexander VII
The Swiss Guards outside of St. Peter's Basilica
Largo di Torre Argentina; the site of four Roman temples. We stumbled upon this as we were walking from out hotel to dinner.
Largo di Torre Argentina
Roscioli Salumeria; I would highly recommend getting a reservation here (we were able to book one the day before.) Our best meal in Rome.
Homemade table bread
Foie gras homemade - goose foie gras carpaccio with sweet and sour onions dressed with raspberry vinegar mixed mixed spices (pepper sarawak, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg)
Foie gras on the homemade bread
Pugliese "burrata" with baby dried tomatoes - burrata cheese with black pepper from Malesia and sundried cherry tomatoes. We have yet to find a place back in the states that serves a burrata even close to this.
Cacio e pepe - fresh pasta with roman pecorino cheese dop, "cacio" from Moliterno, picorino di fossa from Sogliano del Rubicone and Malaisian black pepper
Complimentary cookies with a nutella-like dipping sauce. The perfect night cap to a busy day of exploring. One more stop left on this unforgettable honeymoon. Read on to see where we go next!