In September 2022, while based in the UK, I had a wonderful four-day break in Rome in Italy. It had been a hot summer and Rome was still basking in temperatures in the high 20’s and even early 30’s.
I was fortunate to stay in the city centre at the Hotel Hibernia which was metres from many of the wonderful sights to see. I live in Melbourne, Australia which is a grid city. If you turn left and left again you will return to the same spot. Rome is not like this, and I managed to get myself lost several times wandering around but what a wonderful place to be lost.
Rome has all the history and culture to offer as well as the modern delights of living. The best way to orientate yourself in a city like Rome is the Hop On Hop Off Bus. Unlike many other cities you cannot actually see most of the sites from the bus, but the bus gets you from place to place so that you can enjoy the different sights and they are spectacular.
I was staying close to the Trevi Fountain which became my go to spot, and it was great to see after the limitations on travel that COVID had inflicted how the world was converging on these wonderful venues again. The Trevi Fountain was sparkling, on a hot late summer afternoon.
The sights are as spectacular as you may imagine. The Spanish Steps, The Colosseum, The Circus Maximus, I could go on. Driving around The Colosseum reminded me of the sporting venues that I am accustomed to- the Melbourne Cricket Ground looks like a modern-day Colosseum.
If you are an art lover there are no shortage of galleries and churches and the architecture is a wonderful blend of the old and the new.
On a warm afternoon, we took a bus ride to the Termini Station and caught a train out to Frascati, a small village just outside of Rome. As the train chugged up the hill towards Frascati, the air became clearer and the view back across Rome was breathtaking. Frascati is a delightful village, less than an hour’s train ride and just a few Euros cost, where the village is adorned with pavement cafes and bars. There was an outdoor market with all manner of delights to eat and drink as well as a multitude of venues to enjoy.
Rome is a wonderful place to eat, drink and be merry and the beautiful late summer weather was very conducive to sitting out for long lunches on a pavement café and enjoying some of the local food and drink.
There are two major airports Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport at Fiumicino and Ciampino, which provides access for flights from Europe and the UK. Train travel is easy and inexpensive, and the city buses provide a much cheaper alternative to taxis.
Rome is truly the eternal city and there are never too many opportunities to go to Rome.