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Rome and the Vatican

As I suspected, we didn't nearly have enough time in Rome as I would have liked. I could very easily see myself coming back just to spend a few more days at Paris, Rome, and (I suspect) Florence.

We pulled into the port of Civitaveccia and boarded a train to Rome, arriving at San Pietro station, just outside the Vatican.

We boarded a bus, and got a coach tour of the amazing layers of history on nearly every block. Rome is a bit unlike any other city I've been to, and I think it's because it was the commercial, political, and social hubs of civilization for nearly a thousand years. Everywhere you'd look, there would be something of note, a point of interest, or historic landmark.

Our first pit stop (to give us a respite from rubbernecking) was the Colosseum, an arena befitting the grandeur of the Roman Empire. I've been in larger, more modern stadiums, but this one is by far the most magnificent. They don't build 'em like they used to.

Our next stop was Trevi Fountain, the famed fountain which, if you toss a coin into the pond, you are fated to return.

Then we made our way through city streets to the Pantheon, by far my favorite of anything we saw in Rome. You're greeted by a Corinthian colonnade, which serves as a facade to the dome itself. The dome is made of concrete (which the Romans were adept at using), and held the record of the largest dome for 16 centuries until 1781. It remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, and will most likely keep that title for centuries to come.

Once inside, you come to realize that the dome has an oculus, or opening, at the apex of the dome which makes it look like there is a supernatural light shining down from the heavens into the rotunda (provided the sun is shining). The Pantheon was thus designed with a convex floor, allowing for drainage.

From the Pantheon, we walked to Piazza Navona, a historic race track and area of sorts, now a plaza with access to palaces, museums and churches with grand sculptures and fountains by Italian masters and an obelisk.



By then it was time for lunch, which consisted of an amazing cheesy lasagne at Cafe Tanagra which I won't soon forget.



With our bellies full of wine and pasta, we headed to the Vatican. My favorite here was Michelangelo's Pieta. After taking in St. Peter's Basilica, and photographing the Swiss guards, we boarded the bus to go back to the train, which took us back to the port and back to the ship.

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