Today I woke up early and went down stairs to have the buffet breakfast. Really was unimpressed. They did have an assortment of goodies but being a coeliac (not being able to eat wheat) there really was not alot of options. I opted out for some scrambled eggs, some bacon and some yogurt. They had toast, danishes, cereals, fruits, nutella.... they love nutella, hot food and juices.
I had a tour of Vatican City booked in so I got my map out and walked to the departure point. Being from Australia we like to get there early to get booked in. I got there half an hour early and they sent me away and told me to come back right on time. Which was so strange. Because the tour was early in the morning there was nothing open when they sent me away. You could either meet the tour at the office or they would pick you up from your hotel.
Saint Basillica Church
When I got back to the office I meet this lovely family from Melbourne who talked to for the entire tour. We got on the coach and we were in Vatican City within 10mins. Everything is in walking distance in Rome. We pulled up out side Vatican City and the tour guide gave us a head phone set so we could hear what he was saying the entire time. The guide was this hilarious old Italian man.
Vatican City
The tour was fantastic. It took you through Vatican City and the guide gave us alot of information.
Vatican City Museum
Tip: The lines to get into Vatican City are VERY LONG. Go through with a tour group will let you skip the lines and go straight in.
The tour also included the Sistine Chapel. The Chapel really wasn't what I expected. The chapel is quite small and it had so many people on it. They had seats around the walls of the chapel. If you were lucky to get one. The guards in the Chapel kept saying "SHHHHHH... NO TALKING..... SHHHHHH NO PHOTOS" I honestly thought that since that's one of the main reason why you go into Vatican City that you would be able to take photos. The guide gave us half an hour to stare at the beauty of the chapel and secretly take photos of the chapel.... Just kidding. You also get to see paintings which Michael Angelo, Raffaello and Leonardo Da Vinci did.
Tip: All through Vatican City Museum you are only aloud to take photos with no flash on.
The Popes Church in Saint Peters Square
By the next stop the bus was FULL. And I'm not talking just about all the seats being full. The seats, isle and door ways were full. The door could hardy close it was that packed. We caught the bus into one of the main streets of Rome which was very close to my hotel. I said see you later to the lovely Melbourne family and jumped on the hop on hop off bus. On the way to getting on the bus I realised I had lost my ticket for the bus so I had to buy another one. It cost 15 Euros for a day.
This afternoon was the only day out of my trip where I felt completely alone. I had no reception on my phone and the wifi in my hotel would not work on my phone.
The Colosseum
The hop on hop off bus was fantastic. It took roughly 1hour to complete the whole loop. But it went past all the main sites in Rome and the buses came every 15mins. Even if you didn't get a hop on hop off bus ticket everything is close in Rome. You can walk to nearly every attraction. I did a loop and got off at the second last stop, the trevi fountain.
The Trevi Fountain
The trevi fountain was packed and there are alot of locals trying to sell stuff to you when you are walking up the street to it. Why I call it stuff, is because I'm not going to use a stronger word for what they actually are selling. They were selling flashy lights, bouncy balls and whistles.
Tip: Get good at doing a death stare or not looking at people who are trying to con you. Sounds stupid but all over Rome there is people trying to get you to give them money by tricking you.
The Trevi Fountain was so beautiful and packed full of people. People believe if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain you will come back to Rome one day. Lets face it you gotta do it.
I then walked back towards the main shopping strip in Rome and got some lunch at a small restaurant. I could not believe how expensive this one was. I got Veal, a side of veggies and a hot chocolate.
Very tasty and expensive Veal
Tip: Look at the menu and the prices before you go into a restaurant. The waiter will also try to upsell you extra items. The asked me if I would like vegetables I didnt realise this cost 7euros extra. They asked me if I would like water I didnt realise this cost me 5euros extra. I ended up paying about 35euros for this meal. I learnt my lesson to check the menu prices very quickly. Tipping. You can get away with not tipping. I think I only tipped once when I was in Europe and that was to the fabulous taxi driver in London. But if they offer you fantastic service I would tip.
I walked back towards my hotel and went to the super market to get some snacks.
Tip: To keep you from spending alot of money you can buy items from the super market which is alot cheaper. Some hotels you stay in may have a bar fridge which you can keep food in.
I went to the super market and got 4 bottles of water, fruit, pop corn, yogurt and cotton tips and it only cost me 6euros.
A few counties where you stay you may not be able to drink the water out of the tap. Europe was one of those places I was not sure and didnt want to take the risk. Every restaurant you go to they serve water in bottles.
Tip: Buy a bottle a water from your super market and carry it around with you on your travels. Some hotels may have a filtered water fountain that you can use to fill up your water bottle. This will be cheaper than being charged for water every where you go.
No comments:
Post a Comment