When in Rome
If you ever asked me what my favorite city in the ENTIRE WORLD is, I wouldn’t hesitate or think twice. It’s Rome. It has always been Rome.
My love of the Eternal City has brought me there 15 times now, and I am always looking for new opportunities to go back. To walk the streets viewing the ancient history, smelling the fresh bread, and stopping in a local bar for a glass of wine is unlike anything else. It is one of my favorite experiences in life.
I have taken many friends to visit Rome throughout the years, and each time I guide them through the historic city I’m reminded of something my favorite tour guide once said… Rome is like a lasagna, you keep pulling back the layers and finding good stuff! So, here’s a sneak peek at some of the “good stuff” I’ve discovered while in my favorite city.
I always save a day to just walk… And walk… And walk. My husband and I have discovered the most interesting sites that you would normally never see just by walking beyond the “normal” tourist spots. My favorite is the Basilica di San Clemente. You start in the present-day Basilica then walk down the steps through 2,000 years of history. First, you visit the fourth-century church that the current Basilica was built directly on top of. Yes, you are literally walking on streets from the 300s in the 2000s. Then, you continue to walk down through more layers of history to a first century road and pagan temple. Here, you are approximately 60 feet below current Rome. Please note that this is a dark, damp place, so if this type of area bothers you then you may want to forego this site. There is a modest entry free, around 10 euros, to view the excavations. The Basilica di San Clemente is a short 10-minute walk from the Colosseum.
My second favorite place to visit is the San Bonaventura al Palatino. This 17th century convent church houses the Franciscan Friars of the Order of Friar Minor. As you approach the church on the left side, you are met with a series of statues showing the Stations of the Cross. Behind the Church, there is a marvelous garden with a beautiful view of the Colosseum. This is a perfect place to escape the crowds and have a relaxing visit. It is so nice to sit in the cool shade, away from the crowds, and relax with a drink of water.
This, my friends, is just a little taste of my travel knowledge when it comes to Rome, Italy. It is merely the tip of the iceberg of information I have to share with you. I will continue to write posts on different places all over the world that I have visited. If you have any questions about Rome or any other destination you may be interested in, please send me an email and I will be happy to share some of my insight.
Until next time,
Beth
