No matter how you decide to go, you will get a lot of exercise. Option one is to climb the entire 551 steps to the top. Option two ( my choice) you cut the trip down to 320 steps. Most people took the elevator to the 320 step route. Hours are from 08:00 – 17:00 from October to March 31st. From April to September 30th, it is open till 18:00. Keep in mind, it is a climb and make sure you are in reasonable physical condition.
It gets a little tight on the staircase.
On the way up there are several viewing locations.
This was an early morning visit in September..
As I zoom into the mosaics the details will become visible.
How detailed they are.
Now on to the top.
360 degree views of Vatican City and Rome
Many details of the basilica become visible when you are on top.
At the end of the trip catch the stairs to the elevator an complete your tour of the basilica at your leisure. The rope serves as a handrail.
Cost for your excursion is 5 Euros if you climb, and 7 if you wish to take the partial ride in the elevator. I arrived at about 08:15 with no lines. It was worth the climb. Look for the signs directing you to the cupola as you enter and there will be a ticket booth.
Spending 18 days in Rome and traveling mostly on foot bright this city into a new light. Every time we left the apartment we got closer to the city and discovered new and exciting things. Our first visit was in the mid 80s. We did not return to Italy until 1998. Since then we have made several more trips to Rome if only for a few days. This was the chance for discovery and getting a feel for living somewhat like a local.
Our Airbnb was close to Campo de Fiore. We walked just about everywhere. The market is picturesque but highly oriented to tourists. Still many locals go each day, as did we. Fresh produce and fruit came back to our apartment. A small supermarket was also close by to supplement what the market did not have. There were several salumerie in the area, and well as several Macellerie for cold cuts and meat. This became a daily ritual.
During the next several blogs post, I will be describing the interesting happenings during our stay in Rome.
When you stay in an Airbnb you get to know the owners and managers well. Some times they gloss over something saying no problem. As you stay, you may be reluctant to say anything bad. One time we had no hot water in a rather nice apartment in Orvieto. The problem was quickly resolve by resetting a breaker. Some time that location of the apartment can be a problem. In Rome we are next to a restaurant which has some early morning noises. We knew about this from the review. NO BIG DEAL.
Next to us, the apartment was undergoing renovation. Part of the wall was knocked out in two locations and repaired withy concrete. Plaster was not repaired, looked like a basement wall with a hole int it. Workmen began each morning at 7:30 am and each day stone and wall fragments from this job were on our terrazzo floor. Not nice.
Shower was difficult to use with out having water go on floor. Floors were a little dusty, and could never be really cleaned without a professional floor machine. Walls have marks that should have been cleaned off. The kitchen is decent, but the stainless steel sink area where you put plates does not drain into the sink.
As I looked at many, many reviews for this property, I think people are afraid to bring these items into their reviews.
On the very positive side, the location was perfect. A two block walk to Campo de Fiore with markets and restaurants. Ten minutes to Vatican, bus stops about a two block walk away. One nice restaurant was behind our building, Polese.
Arnbnb does not visit these places, so you need to review ALL the reviews. Reviews are not in chronological order. Go through all of them and see if there are negatives that are repeated. Bad reviews seem to be hidden.
If you have a problem, use the email in the Airbnb app to connect to the host. If you can not get a resolution, than use the help button on the app and go directly to Airbnb. We have received an offer of a 300E REFUND from our host. The construction goes on but the equivalent of $$360 US makes it a little less painful.
Go through ALL of the reviews, it may be time consuming but it will be worth it in the end.
I have enjoyed our visit to Rome. The location a short walk from Campo dei Fiore is wonderful. Our host has tried to make our stay enjoyable. The construction will take some time and hopefully will be complete by next years high tourist season. Campo de’Fiore, Alice Pizza, RomeMarket Campo de’Fiore, Rome A MUST SEESince construction was going on could not use closet had to use small cabinet and hang excess on windowsConcrete patched the plaster, very beautiful. Pounding continued each morning as we stayed.A large butterfly was put up to hide the damage.It did not do a good job.
Would I stay here again? I am not sure. The host did what could be done to improve the situation, which really was not all that much. In researching I found another Airbnb about 2 city blocks away which had a modern kitchen and new furnishings which I would rather go to. Did I enjoy my stay, immensely. No coins in fountain this year, too crowded to get in throwing range, but I will return.
Castel Sant Angelo, RomeWe arrived Rome on the 17th of September coming from Desenzano del Garda. I nice trip on the high speed train from Verona. Our apartment is next to Campo de Fiore. This location has enabeled us to walk about 70 miles ( according to my pedometer app) since we arrived. To me this is the way to see the city. St. Peter’s, to the Ghetto we have been able to see so much.
A day at the Zoo in Rome
We have seen the museums, visited the ancient ruins, but most importantly is to have interacted with the people we need. We sat down to dinner last night and began talking to the couple next to us. They were celebrating the twenty fifth wedding anniversary and just arrived from Wales. Just before they left an young man sat down next to us who was an ambassador from Belize to The Holy See, and another long conversation began.
Antica Trattoria Polese, Rome
We enjoy being centrally located with our favorite trattoria just steps from our Airbnb apartment. Being in the same place for so long enables us to get to know some of the shop keepers and vendors. It makes it feel like home.
A Salumeria in Campo de FioreRelaxing in in the Piazza Navona
Our trip will be over in a few more days, Many more posts will come from the many photos my wife Angela, and I have taken on our trip. We will have been in Italy for seven weeks, taking us from the beaches of Sicily to the shores of Lake Garda and finally to Rome. Close to two thousand photos and visdeos will give us a number memories to share.
gregsitaly 