Thursday, 13 June 2013

[Travel] Rome - 6 days 5 nights F&E (1/2)

Ciao Readers!!!

As mentioned in my Paris' post, we headed to the capital of Italy (i.e. Rome). Time difference in Rome is also 7 hours behind in February. So how did we travel? Well, we took a train down to Rome :D

Train to Rome
We prefer to plan out all our itinerary in Singapore so that any screwed ups would be kept to the minimum. Hence, the train to Rome was booked via the website in Singapore. As we wanted to try the sleeper's cabin (more expensive), 2 tickets cost us 360€. It's a cabin with beds so that we can sleep while the train is travelling towards Rome :D

Once again, I have to emphasis the importance of being vigilant as there were many people around. Do keep a lookout for pickpockets!

Website: http://www.raileurope.com.sg/

Front of the train station
A lot of people, beware of pickpockets
 
We boarded the train around 7pm. The cabin was pretty small but cozy. As it was our first time trying out the sleeper's cabin, we were really excited. There were a long dark green sofa chair (look a little like the train in Harry Potter movie) and we were presented with 2 vouchers - one for cocktail and the other for breakfast :) The staff informed us that about 10pm Paris time, they will assist to make the beds for us (see how they make the bed - short video below).
 
The bed that I slept in
To put luggage
Basin to wash your face, at times there wasn't any water -.-"'
 
As there were nothing much to do in the cabin, we ventured out and utilized our vouchers.

 
Welcome drink at the bar - Champagne
 
Breakfast
 
Some of the beautiful views we saw... The view were really spectacular and we were really glad we decided to take the train instead of a plane! We saw snow, sunrise, greens, animals, houses...

 
At the Train Station
We finally reached Rome's train station (Roma Termini) at 10.30am, which was a 15.5 hours train journey. Sounds pretty long eh, but if you sleep, eat and look at the scenery, time passed pretty quickly.

 
Tourist Information
Like all other times, we went in search for the Tourist Information Counter. There was a long queue formed when we arrived.
 
We bought their Roma Pass, which consisted of :-
- Travelcard - for traveling via their metro (valid for 3 days)
- Entry to Colosseum
- Maps
 
For more information. visit http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2
 
Gusto Bistorante
Hungry? There are lots of eateries at the Train Station. We tried Gusto Bistorante, where there were variety of food and desserts! Don't you think the desserts look pretty yummy?
 
 
Hotel
Hotel the Independent
This hotel is about 10 minutes walk from Roma Termini. Pretty convenient. The staffs greeted us warmly. As we arrived earlier than our check-in time, our room was not ready yet and hence, the staffs directed us to the top of the Hotel where we could see the view of Rome.

Rooms
After 30 mins, one of the staffs went to the top and presented us with the card keys to our room. When we opened the door, the room was much bigger than that of Paris. At least there were space to open 2 to 3 luggages at the same time. Here are some pictures of the room.

 
Breakfast
Breakfast is served at the top of the hotel. I simply loved their breakfast! Their ham, egg and bacon are totally awesome! They have a wider variety of food, pastries, fruits and beverages compared to our hotel in Paris. Each morning, the staffs would greet us in a hearty manner. They were really friendly and cheerful, and would ask us for our preferred hot beverage once they saw us arrived. There's a choice of dining inside or outside (if the weather is not so cold). We chose to dine inside as the morning air was freezing cold. The view outside was beautiful.

I love how the morning sun comes in creating a warm atmosphere
View outside
 
Trains 
Metro
Similar to Paris, their trains are also called Metro. The Roma Pass can used for travelling via Metro. If you do not have a Rome Paris, simply purchase a ticket from the machine.

http://www.rome.info/metro/
 
Places of Attractions
Colosseum
Metro Station: Colosseo
This is a historical site which is rich of ancient ruin. It used to be an area for the roman gladiators to fight. These gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war or criminals. In AD 64, the Great Fire of Rome burned the Colosseum down. If you bought the Roma Pass, you can visit the Colosseum for free.

It is this place where Pope Francis led the Good Friday rite earlier this year.

 
Palatine Hill / Roman Forum
Metro Station: Colosseo
A walkable distance from Colosseum to Palatine Hill. It's a pretty nice walk especially during the cold weather as you won't sweat! If you love the greens, do take a walk around here. Roma Pass can be used here, so it's also FREE! We were very lucky on the day we visited as the blue sky was so beautiful, despite the cold wind. And yes, I was trigger happy in here. Such a lovely garden. It was also my first time where I saw orange trees!!!
 
Orange trees!
 
Pantheon
Pantheon is Rome's best-preserved building and has the largest dome in the world. What's interesting is that the diameter of the hemispherical dome is equal to the height of the whole building, has a perfect sphere and built without support. This is the place where you will find Raphael's tomb.

 
 
Trevi Fountain
Metro Station: Barberini
Trevi Fountain attracts a lot of tourists. Some of these tourists will throw loose change into the Fountain as they make a wish. Many couples were seen taking photos together. The sculptures of the fountain is really lovely.

When we arrived at Trevi Fountain, one of the locals tried to give me a rose saying that it's free. DO NOT TAKE IT! Because the moment you accepted their rose, they will ask you to pay for it. I put both hands firmly into the pockets of my coat and refused to take any of the "free" rose. I saw some tourist fell into their trap and had to pay for the rose. And yes, please beware of pickpockets as it's very crowded.

 
Spanish Steps
As the name implies, Spanish Steps is a flight of steps. To get to the top, you will have to climb these steps and you will find Trinità dei Monti church at the top. It is located between the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti.

 
Inside Trinità dei Monti church...
 
To be continued...

Tiny Pea

7 comments:

  1. Hi lil tiny pea , I am traveling tomitaly ( Rome , Venice , Florence ) with my hubby and our young daughter. Can you advise is it safe to travel free and easy in Italy ? I heard a lot of reviews about pick pockets in Italy esp train stations. Does tickets from Eurorail need to validate the tickets before boarding the train? Or we can just board the train when it arrives? And also is it easy to lo act which train to take for example from Rome to Venice . I am only afraid to idle too long at train stations and there chance to pick pockets to strike. Some even say fake police officers might ask tourists for their id or wallets to inspect and we also do not know if they are real or fake so sure must give them . Hope can get some advise from you. Thanks a lot :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stella, in my opinion, London will be safer as compare to Italy. If you intend to travel to Italy with your young girl, just be extra vigilant. Yes, you will need to validate the tickets before boarding the train. If the conductor happened to check and noticed that the tickets aren't validate, there will be a fine. It's not difficult to locate the train. If you are afraid of pick pockets, suggest you plan and time your arrival at the train stations, to minimize the idle time. Good luck in planning and have a safe trip.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for sharing.
    Had wanted to travel solo, but I guess I better join a tour or something :))

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Tiny Pea, Rome is wonderful city to travel as you share the images which made me feel I also travelled. The presentation of your blog is quite good so I would request youto share blog on Baltic Travel Click here for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is wonderful post. I really liked it so much
    Thanks
    Agoda special offers

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, your vacation for 6 days is very memorable and very enjoyable, yes I like reading your holiday. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge about holidays. theapartmentsumalas.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Disclaimer

The above is the opinion of the writer and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. The views of the writer are his/her own, and do not in any way reflect the views of the site they are posted on, other sites affiliated with this site, the staff involved with the site, or any other members of this site. Furthermore, they do not necessarily reflect the views of the people who live in the writer's neighbourhood, city, province, country or continent. Please note that the fact the piece is written in English is in no way meant to malign other languages or linguistic entities, nor to malign those who are illiterate or visually impaired and thus are unable to read the piece. Furthermore, the individual letters, words, and punctuation marks involved had no option but to be placed into the story, and should not be held accountable for the writer's statement. Any spelling or grammatical errors are not the responsibility of the schools the writer attended, the teachers the writer was taught by, the regional governments who did or did not fund the writer's educational system, or anyone else involved in the writer's education. Any views or opinion represented in this blog are personal and is accredited to the respective commentor / visitor to this blog. Any name of any celebrity, business, organisation or individual mentioned in this blog is not directed as personal attacks with any intentional or unintentional harm. All contents in this blog are purely for entertainment and contains no intention to malign or harm any person / interest / organisation.