Last Day in Rome - St. Peter's Bascilica

Today we knew we had to get up early.  Our goal was to be out the door at 8 am.  We were 20 minutes late but we were still quite proud of ourselves.

St. Peter's Basilica opens at 7 am. Now that would of been too early but we knew we wanted to be there before it got really crowded.  A lot of Italians are on a long weekend here so we knew it could be busy.

We walked to the Vatican(30 min walk) and the queue was long but it only got longer.  We waited 40 minutes to get through security.  

Remember while in the church - dress appropriately, remove your hat, no talking on your cell phone.  If you have a knapsack you will need to check it at the coat check after security.

This is our second visit to St. Peter's.  Last time we were here we saw a lot and even visited the Necropolis. To read  more click here.

Today our goal is to just walk around and enjoy it with no guide or schedule.  Bernie wanted to come back here to see it a second time.

It was lovely, and not crazy packed.  We were able to move around freely and get up close to many pieces.  Although this time we were not able to go right up to the alter and walk around it like last time.  I am not sure if this is a permanent change or temporary.  So I am glad we got to last time.

After 20 minutes we left and we can see the line for the security has snaked all around completely and doubled back.  Glad we got here early.

We walked around for a while, got our coffee, picked up some bus tickets for tomorrow's tram then returned to the apartment.

On the walk back we heard my name being called - our friend Juan who is also sailing with us was in a taxi stopped at a light.  Too funny that our paths would cross!

It is around 11 and we relax for a bit.

We want to head out again around 1 pm, but not sure where/what to do.  We are getting hungry and since our mid day meal has been our largest since arriving we head out to get a meal.

After a great meal we wander some more.  Thankfully it hasn't rain - although we are prepared with an umbrella at all times.  

I wanted something sweet and was craving a cannoli.  We find a spot and pick up one that is called a Sicilian Cannoli.  It was good, but I couldn't even finish it.  Just so rich.

Again we wander the streets of Rome just gawking.  We pop into a few shops but neither one of us are big shoppers.  But it is fun to look.

It is very busy everywhere so finding some quieter streets is a treat.

Back at the apartment around 4 pm we take note that we have logged 20,000 steps today!  Wow.

We relax - and I even had an hour nap.  We enjoy the wine we have and talk about our game plan for tomorrow.  

Pack up, take garbage down to the street, tidy up, luggage tags, time to leave, etc.

We are catching a train from Trastevere station which is very close to us and a short tram way away.  We could walk it in about a half hour but with our bags it is just as easy to take the tram.

Our train is at 10:27 and we will arrive at Civitavecchia station around 11:15 am.  I know we could take a shuttle but for the two of us it would be way too expensive - private would be 119 e each, or shared at 69 e each.  Our train ticket plus the tram is 8 e each.

We have really enjoyed our time in Rome.  Both of us are glad we came back.  Although both of us agree that we prefer the smaller, quieter places in Italy.   We much preferred Sardinia, Lucca, Genoa than the big cities like Rome or Venice.  

Everyone needs to see Rome, see the sites here but to get a "real" experience of Italy head outside of Rome.  

I have really liked staying in Trastevere, so easy to get around and a feel of a community.

So tomorrow we board the Crown for 24 days and we are both really looking forward to it.

Rome and a Pizza Making Class

I wish I could say we woke up bright and early and we were out the door early.  But nope. However, we did wake up early around 7 am because of the noise outside.  We read for a bit and closed the window and we fell back asleep.  

The next time we opened our eyes it was 10 am!  WHAT.  Oh well - we get up and shower and have some brunch.

Out the door just prior to 11 and our first stop is to get some cappuccino.  Again do like the locals, enjoy it at the bar and pay half the price.  No need to sit and linger when all you need is a hit of caffeine.  1.10E each, double if you sit.

We start walking along the Tiber river.  You can see a lot of remnants from the storm the other night.  Tons of leaves, a lot of branches are on the ground.  Even some trees have blown down.  Some of the river bank is even closed due to damage.  But Rome got off easy compared to the coastal northern parts.

Soon we are at the Vatican and all things religion.  Bernie points out that all the vendors that are here are selling plastic items made in China.  

We can not go five feet without someone asking us if we want a tour, a ticket, a guide, to buy something.  It is bad - feels like I am back in Acapulco (where it is really bothersome).  But just goes to show that street vendors/guides/hawkers are all over the world.  Even within the Vatican.

Our goal this morning was to get up early and head to St. Peter's Basilica.  But obviously we did not get up early and we are having to pay the price now. The queues to get through security and into the church is LONG - at least a thousand people.  We knew this would be the case and we end up moving on - we hope to get up early one day and come early.  It opens at 7 am during this winter season.  Well maybe we won't be there at that hour, but hopefully by 8.

Also wanted to add that we see a much larger presence of security.  Large armored vehicles block high tourist areas.  Armed guards watch the crowds.  It is sad to see that we have come to this but it is understandable (or is it) after recent terrorism attacks.

Note for those that are newly following my blog.  We have visited the Vatican Museum and the Basilica before so this is a second visit so if we miss it, that is okay.

We walk all around the area of Via Candia and stop for a glass of wine at Secondo Tradizione.  It wasn't cheap but it sure was lovely.  

There are some nice shops around here and we window shop.  You can see this is a less touristy area, lots of locals live here.  

I booked an Airbnb Experience the other day for today.  It was a pizza cooking class where you make six different kinds of pizza and enjoy them with wine along with the hosts.  You can find this tour by clicking here.

Make sure that if you have not signed with an Airbnb account that you do so by clicking this link and saving money off your first booking.  

Max our host meets us at the Cipro Metro station and we are waiting for one more person to come - a single woman from the US.  After waiting 15 minutes after the arranged time Max finally hears from her that she will not be coming.  So sad that others are rude and did not even have the decency to inform Max that they would not make it.  I do have to say Max handled it very well and even arranged for her to come a different day.  A sign of a good host.

A short drive away we arrive at his home where we meet his partner and we start making pizza.

Now I make pizza at home but I find the crust to be too doughy and thick.  Max provided us with a recipie and we each made our own dough.

We even rolled it out and topped off our pizza before baking it.  Max made the four other types of pizza.

Soon we were sitting at a lovely table with some nice music and enjoying some wine and the pizzas we made.

Six different pizzas.  I only had a slice of five of them and I was full - thankfully they were not huge slices.  But you do get your money's worth.

Overall it was a fun activity and something different.  It would be a great thing to do with kids I think.

Max dropped us off close to the Vatican museum and we started trekking back to the apartment which was about 30 minutes walk away.  Sure we could of taken transit but the roads were jammed with rush hour traffic.  

By the time we got home we had logged 17,000 steps. Bernie is exhausted and feeling drunk.  He does not feel like going out again tonight so at 7:30 we are relaxing in the apartment watching shows we downloaded on our tablet. 

It was a great first day in Rome.