Tried to Get to Appian Way - Toured Around Instead

We are up earlier today!  Yeah!

A quick breakfast, shower and we are out of here.  Oh happy Halloween Everyone.  Although I see some signs of Halloween around Rome it is not like it is in North America.  But it also was Bernie Dad's Birthday.  

So our first stop was Santa Maria in Trastevere Church.  We have been here before and wanted to stop in again. It is so quiet this time.  We sit and reflect and light some candles for our family, but especially in honour of Bernie Senior.  I know he is watching us and is very proud of us.

Next stop - you guessed it -- espresso.  Oh my I love how easy it is to get a shot here and how inexpensive it is.  Takes no time and we are off for our next adventure.

There are a few spots we want to visit that we never got to on previous trips and the first one is Appia Antica or Appian Way.

Google Maps provides detailed information on bus routes and that is how we get there.  Don't forget to buy your transit ticket from a kiosk or tobacco stand prior to board.  Buses don't sell tickets here.  Also buy a return ticket.  

We bought four tickets at 1.50 E each.  When you get on the bus make sure to validate your ticket.  It provides 90 minutes of travel.

Bus 118 takes you right to the start of Appian Way.  

When we get off we are a little confused.  Not sure where to go.  Finally after a bit of wandering we figured it out.  But darn it is closed.  How can it be closed.  

Well apparently there were quite a few trees that toppled over.  Lots of branches that are down and a bit of flooding that caused a mess from the storms on Sunday and Monday.

Darn...  

So back out to the street to catch the bus going back.  Thankfully it is not too far out of the city center.

We get off to see the Mouth of Truth.  Do you remember that scene in Roman Holiday?  Well I do...  

It is free to visit, and the line is not that long, but I am guessing it is at least a half hour to wait and I don't feel like waiting just to get a picture with my hand in the mouth.  You can take pictures from the side of it and that is just what I did.

Back on a bus to the Victor Emanuelle Monument.  We decided to head back to a restaurant we fell in love with the last time we were here.  

See all the added security

La Cabana is within walking distance of the monument and a lot of locals come here.

We enjoy an amazing meal and walk away stuffed.  I can get use to having the big meal mid day.  Two days in a row and I am enjoying it.

From here we have more exploring to do.

We walk to the Trevi Fountain - man what a zoo.  Always is.  I quickly take a picture and leave.  I really do not like these high tourist spots but feel it is necessary to visit.

Also watch out for the pick pockets at places like this.  Tons of people, shoulder to shoulder with little place to move.

Oh I want to add that the last time we were in Rome all those selfie sticks were a nuisance.  I am happy to report that I see fewer and fewer of them now.  Now I find people walking while staring at their phones a nuisance.  But this happens everywhere and I have to have some kind of gripe.  Do people on their phones bother you?  Or is it just me?  Stop and move over people if you need to check your phone, not in the middle of the sidewalk.  Okay I will get off my soapbox.

Next stop the Pantheon.  The crowds are minimal and it is nice to find a quiet spot to really enjoy the church and it's beauty.  I had heard that they were looking at charging a minimal entrance fee.  I am happy to say that no they are still not charging - not sure how they can as churches are suppose to be free.  But also remember you need to dress appropriately, no hats, no shorts, no talking on the phone etc.

Off to Piazza Navona.  Again it is quieter here that on past visits.  

Campo de Fiori is a miss for us.  It is a touristy area that sells mainly to tourist only.  I would rather visit a local market than this square.  But it is quite interesting to watch the people. 

We cross the Tiber and get some sundry items for the apartment.  Soap, cereal, milk, wine, sparkling water and a chocolate bar (priorities).  

Back at the apartment for 4 pm and we will relax here until later tonight when we will go out for our evening stroll and maybe a small bite to eat.  Oh and I feel gelato may be in the plans too.

  

Friday Afternoon - Capital Hill, Lunch and Palatine Hill

After leaving the Forum we knew we were right near the back side of Capital Hill.  Yup stairs!  We climbed all the stairs to the top and came out right behind the Senate Building (Palazzo Senatorio). There is the "replica" of the She Wolf statue, original is in the museum right here in the square - but no time for that.

The Piazza del Campidoglio is huge.  Michelangelo drew up the plans for this square.  It is stunning. And the large statue of Marcus Aurelias is well larger than life.  Seems to be a trend here, I seem to turn a corner and I am gob smacked by another Wow sight.

Since we are up here we decide to head into Santa Maria in Aracoeli church.  Entering from up here saves us from climbing the steep steps from the road.

The church doesn't look like much from the outside but again, you walk in and you are in awe of the size, the beauty and the sheer opulence.  I light a candle for a friend who's sister is not well.  Bernie and I light a candle for our Mothers, oh how we wish we could of shown them this place.

To access the church from the square access the stairs seen here.

Stunning views from outside the church at the first level of the Victor Emmanuel Monument.

These are the stairs you need to climb to get to the Santa Maria in Aracoeli church if you do it from the road.  We went via the square.  These stairs are steep.  This is the church of the Roman Senators and people.

So if you want the short cut to the Victor Emanuel elevator at the back of the monument - or just the amazing look out follow this entrance after you leave the church.  The elevator line up is right at your right.

We need something to eat, it is around 2 pm and we decide to head down to street level and walk a few streets in. 

We come across a small road/alley and we take it and see this restaurant called La Cabana - I couldn't find a website but their facebook link is here.

Right away this place looks peaceful and accommodating. We are sat at a nice table, many locals are around, the waiter comes over right away and we order some house wine and water.

We start with an antipasta of olives, cheese with warm honey and some fried zucchini flowers.

Pasta course is Ravioli with ham, peas and ricotta.

Secondi is veal in wine sauce and it was so darn good we could cut it with our fork

The waiter comes by with the dessert course and I get the custard with pine nuts and of course two espresso.  When in Rome....

We are full and we are pleasantly surprised at the cost as it is around what we paid for lunch yesterday and 100 times better.

We can now take on Palatine Hill but first we stop to check out Trajan's Column and Trajan's Markets.  Very impressive.

We walk back to the entrance and then realize that the Entrance to Palantine is also the same entrance to the Roman Forum.  Oh no, we know you can not re enter the site once you have left.  We thought it was a totally different site.  We left thinking we could go for lunch then do the other site.  

Well we arrive and put our ticket in and it comes back as re entry.  Hmm the guy tells us we can re enter.  We explain what happened and he stills says we can not re enter.  But he accepts our situation and then allows us to enter.  I guess if he would of been adamant we would not of had a choice but would of left.  But we are glad he allowed us in.

We wander around the site and check out many different ruins but we are really on information overload and after about an hour we head back to the apartment to rest up before our evening tour of the Vatican Museum.