Roam through Rome, Italy for 4 Days and 3 nights.

Rome, Italy is everyone’s dream travel destination. This city was ranked #17 in the world’s most visited cities with 7.3 M International visitor (2017 Business Insider UK). The beauty of Italy is like a classical music that makes you want to listen over and over again. The architectural structures will make you feel you are in a scene from a thousand years back. Its cobblestone streets add to the dramatic state of the country’s historical sights. Although Rome has a perfect view, it is not a perfect city. Underneath its charm, are filthy streets as expected in crowded places. Pickpockets are everywhere wandering around the busy tourist area looking for their next victim.

We were on a Christmas vacation in Norway when we traveled to Rome, Italy to meet a friend and a classmate from Gregorio Perfecto High School in Tondo Manila. We parted ways after graduation and have not seen her for a very long time. Facebook helped us find each other in Europe (of all places huh!) and made us unite. That’s the power of the social media nowadays! We stayed in their house along Marconi Street.

Below are the places we visited while in Rome, Italy for four days with our host friend Evelyn last December 29, 2016, until January 1, 2017. We tour around Rome mostly by bus and metro subway. The transportation system in Rome is very efficient and easy to use.

Basilica Papale San Paulo Fuori Le Mura, commonly known as Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is the second largest basilica in Italy next to St. Peter’s Basilica. The Basilica of St. Paul is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations. It was built by Constantine in honor of St. Paul the Apostle.

• The Exterior of the basilica:

A large marble statue of St. Paul the Apostle and the magnificent mosaic artwork is the first view that catches our attention upon entering.

At the Altar:

Below the ground, at the altar, is a huge opening inside. A marble tombstone with encryption Paulo Aposto Mart can be seen below the Altar. The chain that is believed to have been used to join Paul by a Roman soldier who guarded him also displayed beside the opening.

The Pantheon is a must see when you visit Rome. It is actually a Christian Church called the Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs (Santa Maria dei Martiri). It is a former Roman Temple. The Pantheon is a Greek adjective which means “honor all Gods”.

Inside the Pantheon is a huge dome with an opening which gives light to the surroundings. The giant dome hole is also called the “eye of the Pantheon” or the “Oculus”.

The Colosseum is also known as Flavian Amphitheater it is an oval amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of travertine, tuff, and brick-faced concrete. It is the largest amphitheater ever built- Wikipedia

The Trevi Fountain this is the famous site among the tourists since the monument has been featured in many films. Our tour guide Jake and Joshua (Evelyn’s two handsome boys) told us a long-standing tradition about throwing coins in the fountain. Of course, we did as they told us that we will come back if we throw coins in the fountain.

Piazza Navona the baroque-style piazza is one of the most famous squares in Rome. Truly one of the masterpieces of Rome.

Piazza Venezia this beautiful square with a monument called “the typewriter ” is a must visit.

St. Peter’s Square is one of the most breath-taking, amazing, beautiful square in the world located in the Vatican City.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the world’s largest church. It is also the holiest Catholic shrine visited by most pilgrims and tourists. It is the most prominent building in Vatican City.

The basilica’s facades are huge columns and windows that are beautifully made. It is more like a museum or a palace than a church. On top was travertine statues of Jesus Christ at the center, St. John the Baptist and 11 of the apostles.

St. Peter’s Basilica is an Italian Renaissance church in Vatican City it is within the City of Rome.

Many Italians believed that St. Peter was buried here.

Inside the basilica is four poster, solid-bronze canopy over the main altar.

One must go through the airport-style scanner and security before entering the Basilica.

We left the Basilica before the mass starts since we have to catch a flight going back to Norway.

It was indeed an unforgettable tour experience even for a very short period.

Thank you for viewing! 😊

God bless!