Rome

Leaving Milan, I took an express train to the final destination of my trip, the incredibly historic city of Rome. It was a short walk from the train terminal to my hostel, so before long I had dropped my bags and once again began a walking discovery tour of the city.

 

 

It's not everyday you turn a corner and see ruins / buildings / remnants of thousands year old civilizations, but in Rome everywhere I looked was a reminder that I was in a city that was once the centre of one of the largest and most influential empires in history!

My issues with religion aside, Rome is also home to countless stunning churches, cathedrals and basilicas, not to mention the staggering amount of art residing in the many galleries and museums.

 One drawback of so many sights is that it seemed the entire city was one big tourist-trap, in my time spent there it didn't feel like I saw the 'authentic' Rome. Instead if felt that everywhere was crowded, with tour groups being lead around like sheep, hawkers trying to sell tour tickets, and people continuously posing to take another generic and disposable selfie, before moving on to the next attraction.

At least when art was concerned, the most personally effecting pieces I saw were experienced by myself alone in a room, without the sounds of a thousand phone camera photos being taken.

Rome has a stunning skyline, if you can get some elevation towards the end of the day you are rewarded with a gorgeous view of countless domed basilicas, stone buildings broken up by numerous leafy trees, all bathed in golden afternoon sun. I would find a (relatively) quiet place to sit and just soak up the view.

Some of the highlights.

The Altare della Patria

The Castel Sant'Angelo

The Colloseum

The ruins of the Roman Forum

The Trevi Fountain

The Pantheon

 

The Villa Medici

A fascinating city, I'm sure I walked past countless historical sights that I was ignorant to and oblivious of, in the same way it felt very surreal at times to be walking the same streets as some of histories most famous people.

More photos here