Guide to Roma, Firenze, Pisa and Venezia

This is an attempt to share my experience of touring in Italia (Italy) to my friends, family and any other who might be interested.

I am no writer and I blog very very less. This would be my first proper blog entry which I intend to make it public so don't expect a thorough or bespoke reading experience. This is as raw as it can get. 

To start off with, I always had the apprehension of visiting a warm country in peak summer. Weather is always a concern when you visit a country because as a traveller you are out and about most of the time in a day. I was warned that August is one of the hottest month in Italy. So hot that communities whose work involves being out & about take this month off because of the heat. Anyways, I had no choice as this trip was planned for later April and had to be postponed due to various reasons.

So, here I am sitting in the flight awaiting bright sunshine to greet me on the horizon as the plane reaches Fumicino Airport in Rome. Dark clouds, heaviest turbulence I ever experienced in my flying history and a milder sunshine greeted the airplane as we slowly descended through the thick clouds. Pilot did a great job of getting us safe onto the tarmac. As I got out of the flight, I had a smirk on my face as the weather was far pleasant than I expected and my wife was winging about possible rains looking at the dark clouds. We were at the airport and we still had to get into Roma (Rome) which was an hour drive (25 - 30 Km). So I was still hoping for a brighter/hotter Sun in the city.

Getting to Roma from Fumicino Airport

Cheapest and ideal way to get to Roma would be to walk out to the Bus station just outside the airport and catch one of the coaches. It would cost 8 Euro per person and its comfortable. Train is an option as well at 15 Euro per person to Roma Termini (works out best for people who have booked-in near the central train station). For others who are in a hurry and want to get into Roma in style, Taxi(I am not of the exact price but overheard someone saying 40 euros) is always an option. 

Colosseum

For me Roma was always picturised with Gladiator's Arena(Colosseo) and this is the monument that I checked out the first after I was done checking-in the hotel. 

It was 10 min walk from the hotel I stayed in and It is Majestic. In the day light it might seem ordinary, but its at night with all the subtle lightning that it shines. I did not bother to take a tour as the Sun god was smiling at his best and my glucose levels were hitting its unknown depths. Decided to come back after dark and capture the warmth of the monument. It does live up-to its hype. 

Vatican

The vatican is huge. This country has so much history packed in its huge umbilical yard that you will need to dedicate a complete day to explore at the corners and avenues. Its rich and loaded with artefacts, statues, paintings and architecture. Its grandeur in its high ceilings and the painting on its insides. There is no corner of the ceilings that is not filled to exorbitant and masterful paintings. These were done generations and centuries ago but so immaculate and impeccably done that till date it remains the best. Really skilled artisans have really worked their heart out to render these masterpieces which are absolute delight to the present & forth coming generation's receptacles.

          

Trinita Dei Monti

This is a place where you will get most of the locals and tourists socialising through the night. With its water filled fountain, intimidating architecture and circular seating area around the fountain, people settle down to admire the setup. This place is so popular and deceptively located that as you walk down from nearest metro station following the directions on the map along the calm roads and as you are about the enter the location, you will be hit by sea of people sitting around the fountain, taking pictures and dropping a coin with their secret wish. Its a nice spectacle in the dark and must be seen at night to get the glorious picture.

Pantheon

It was a bit disappointing that there were restoration works going on and half of the monument was covered by scaffoldings. However that did not take away the grandeur and statement this sculpture. There was music and a small sculpture right opposite to this monument, where people were relaxing and grabbing their scrub. Italians do know how to enjoy and respect such spaces. I was hoping this to be a much bigger structure like the Colosseo but it stood dwarf compared to other monstrous monuments of Roma. 

Castel Sant Angelo

After having walked and spent the evening covering key places in the north, decided to take the bus back to the hotel. Ended boarding the bus going in the wrong direction and got down at the bridge which separated the old Roma town with its outer towns. Coincidentally got a glorious view of this architecture, which is one of the pit-stops on a tourist map. I was pretty chimed at the opportunity of capturing this beauty at the dark kissed with illuminating lights. The river just gave it that romantic touch and it being a hotter city gave the townies and tourists and opportunity to setup a Pizzeria which served local delicacies and wine along the banks. Envied the lack of time and exhaustion which pushed me away from enjoying the aura.

Roma to Firenze
There are three options with Train to get to Firenze. Regionale, Intercity and Eurostar. Regionale being the long-winded route going through the country side (takes about 5 hours), Intercity being a little faster than Regionale (takes 3-4 hours) and Eurostar being the fastest (takes 2 hours) to reach the destination. There are 2 main stations in Firenze (Firenze Rifredi and Firenze Saint Marco Novella aka Firenze SMN). They are 5 mins apart, with the later being the end point in Firenze. Make sure you check the nearest station to the hotel you are booked in to avoid any surprises once you get off the train. Eurostar does travel only till Rifredi while going to Firenze from Roma.


NOTE: Most of the attractions/museums are closed on Monday's. So, please plan your trip accordingly.

Duomo

This is the main attraction as you start checking out places in Firenze. This is right band in the centre and most recommended monuments to check out as a tourist. When you get in, make sure you climb to the top of the dome. Its a daunting task to get to the top through very narrow and twisty stairs. Its one way up and down, so at its peak you might have to give way to people coming down and/or going up. Its worth the trek as once you get to the top, you will get an wonderful view of the city. It is quite amazing to think as to how did the artisans get to build such a cramped staircase which can take only one person at a given time. There are some areas where the roof is quite low as well and the stairs get as steep as 45 degrees. Hats of to the incredible men/women who put this together. 

Museums
Firenze is a city filled with museums more than monuments. 80% of things to check out are Museums. They do host innumerable number of artefacts which includes kitchen cutleries, weapons, floor paintings, wall paintings and never ending series of sculptures. 

The Bridge
This bridge must be one of the most expensive in the world. I have never seen such a wealthy bridge. Reason for being healthy is, that it hosts all goldsmiths/jewellers that might exist in Italia-midlands. There is no space left on either sides. There are some intricate designs which one would have never seen in their life. No wonder Italians are known for their skilled craftsmanship with this precious metal, ordained by fem-fatales. Awesome place to take your better-half if you have the bank balance of a oil rig owner.