Ciao Italy - Day 2
Rome Itinerary - Day 2: Ruins, Churches, and Hidden Gems
After an exhilarating first day exploring the some of the main sites including Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps, get ready for another action-packed day discovering the history, art, and quirky spots of Rome. We started off the morning with a private tour of some of the most famous ancient sites - the Colosseum Arch of Constantine, and Palatine Hill. Our knowledgeable local guide brought these iconic places to life with insights about gladiator battles, power struggles between emperors, and daily life for ancient Romans. Meandering through the Roman Forum was truly amazing as we imagined stepping back in time 2000 years - we could have spent all day exploring there!
Roman Forum
From there, we made our way to the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli to marvel at Michelangelo's towering Moses sculpture. This lesser-known church houses an intricate Renaissance tomb by Antonio del Pollaiolo that alone merits going a bit off the beaten path. Our next stop was Piazza del Campidoglio and Capitoline Hill, the piazza the famous artist himself designed depicting the statues of Castor and Pollux from Roman mythology. The Capitoline Museum also displays incredible ancient Roman statues including the iconic Capitoline Wolf if we have time to pop in and look around.
Rose Garden of Rome
Keyhole view
We then took a break for some lunch and a glass of wine at a charming restaurant along the Circus Maximus as we pictured the famous chariot races. From there we continued to the Rose Garden of Rome, unique in the world for its spectacular position high on the Aventine Hill with views of many iconic landmarks. After we walked further up Aventine Hill to the legendary Aventine Keyhole for a view through a nondescript green door of St. Peter's Basilica perfectly framed - it was like peering through a magic portal into another world!
Top of the Synagogue
From there, we began to make our way back to the Trastevere area and on the way stopped to tour Rome's ornate Great Synagogue Tempio Maggiore and learned about the city's vibrant Jewish history. Close to the bustling Campo de Fiori square, we soaked in the atmosphere and browsed the open-air market stalls. We then made our way through the cobblestone alleyways and historic neighborhoods and back to the DOM Hotel after another full and fulfilling day.
