Editor's Pick
by: JohnCollins
posted by sineada
on 4 Jul 03:14 PM
posted by TitchyCarla
on 4 Jul 12:24 PM
posted by TitchyCarla
on 4 Jul 12:19 PM
posted by Moody Cruiser
on 4 Jul 11:43 AM
posted by Moody Cruiser
on 4 Jul 11:37 AM
Destination in Focus - Rome in a Day
A clear benefit of cruising is having the opportunity to see so many different places in just one trip. The downside is that with just one day on average spent in each port, you may leave feeling like you have only just scratched the surface of each destination.
Whilst some ports in the Mediterranean can be gently explored in 8-10 hours, a city as busy as Rome really does require longer. Despite this, you will be hard pushed to find an itinerary which will allow any more than a day in the eternal city. Therefore, you will need to decide which attractions you really don’t want to miss.
Bear in mind that if your cruise begins or even ends in Rome, you may be able to deviate your flight for a few days to allow more time in the city. This may carry a small charge, but will be well worth it for the additional few days to leisurely make friends with Rome and all it has to offer.
Anyone who has picked up a travel guide to Rome may well be feeling a little bogged down with all there is to see. Ideally, the best way to truly explore is to wander the streets absorbing the city and all its attractions as you go. Unfortunately, us cruisers don’t have the luxury of time, so, first things first, you will need to plan how you will reach the city.
The cruise ships dock in the port of Civitavecchia which is around an hour to an hour and a half long transfer from the city and all its attractions. You will need to choose to either do one of the cruise lines excursions, which will include this lengthy transfer, or, you can look into making your own way into the city by train. This is likely to be a little cheaper, but you then have the responsibility of getting back to the ship on time!
To see, or not to see?
Choosing what to see and what to miss can be difficult, but as a guide, you will need to decide between the glory of ancient Rome on one side of the Tiber River and St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum located on the other side.
The Colosseum, one of the most famous of all of Romes attractions, is an excellent starting point for your tour of the city. Once a site of gladiator combat and animal slaughter, today the impressive arena is a must see attraction for any visitor. The ruins are best viewed from a distance but can also be explored internally. With limited time, it may be best to skip the costly tour as it is suggested it can be a little disappointing!
From the Colosseum, you can stroll over to the ancient Roman Forum. The Forum was the original downtown of Rome, filled with government buildings, beautiful temples and markets. Here is where ancient Rome was developed. It is recommended that you spend around two hours here, but you may need to cut this down to make sure you see as much of Rome as possible!
No trip to Rome would be complete without visiting the magical Trevi Fountain, which is conveniently located within walking distance from the Forum. Everyone wants to see the fountain, so be prepared for crowds here! It is believed that if you toss a coin into this fountain, you're guaranteed to return to Rome, so be sure to take a few euros.
Leaving the Trevi Fountain, you can wander the back streets towards the Spanish Steps. This area is described as one of Romes prime outdoor living rooms, and is used as a gathering site for both locals and tourists. The steps, built in the 1700’s are definitely worth a visit, look out for the pretty tea rooms as well as the fashionable boutiques housing brands such as Gucci and Valentino situated at the very bottom of the steps.
By this time, you are likely to be feeling a little tired, so why not head to the only intact ancient Roman temple in the city; the Pantheon, where you can find an abundance of outdoor traditional Italian restaurants to dine at, whilst taking in another of Romes unmissable sites. This should bring you to a satisfying end to your short stay in Rome.