December in Rome 2009
Description:
After a whirlwind first visit to Rome in January 2008, I am looking forward to another long weekend visit this December. Just before Christmas is a magical time to be in Italy, and during this trip I want see some of the sites I missed during my first trip, absorb the holiday feel of the city, and perhaps do a bit of last minute shopping!
Author: Laura Thayer
Day 1 - Rome
Thoughts of Rome always take me back to a few spots that are indelibly marked in my memory. One of those is the beautiful Piazza di Spagna. I stayed in the charming little hotel Scalinata di Spagna last year, which is located just at the top of the Spanish Steps. On the first day we'll be arriving later in the day by train. I am excited to visit the Piazza Navona on the first evening and explore the many stalls selling Christmas candies, decorations and toys. The last stop of the day will be to see the Trevi Fountain at night, which is pure magic!
1
Piazza di Spagna
Location:
view in google mapspiazza di Spagna
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 48 8991 (Tourist Information)2
Piazza Navona
Location:
view in google mapspiazza Navona
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 060 608(Tourist Information)3
Trevi Fountain (Fontana dei Trevi)
Location:
view in google mapspiazza di Trevi
Piazza di Trevi
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 060 608(Tourist Information)4
Hotel Scalinata di Spagna
Location:
view in google mapsPiazza Trinità dei Monti 17
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone:
06-6793006Day 2 - Rome
Day two begins with an early visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, two important sites in Rome I haven't visited yet. On my last trip I visited St. Peter's and climbed to the top of the cupola, which was the trip highlight. This visit I will spend the afternoon walking the streets of Rome, doing a bit of window shopping, and absorb the Christmas feel of the city.
1
Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museums)
Location:
view in google mapsViale Vaticano
00165 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 (0)6 6988 30412
Sistine Chapel
Location:
view in google mapsviale Vaticano
Viale del Vaticano
Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 068 530 17583
Via del Corso
Location:
view in google mapsFrom Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 060 608(Tourist Information)4
Via dei Condotti
Location:
view in google mapsvia dei Condotti
00187 Rome, Italy
5
Via del Babuino
Location:
view in google mapsvia del Babuino
00187 Rome, Italy
Day 3 - Rome
After an afternoon of walking and window shopping (& perhaps a bit of last minute Christmas shopping!) yesterday, today is dedicated to the Capitoline Museums and the city's famous ancient Roman sites.
1
Piazza del Campidoglio
Location:
view in google mapspiazza del Campidoglio
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 060 608(Tourist Information)2
Capitoline Museums
Location:
view in google mapspiazza del Campidoglio 1
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 6710 24753
Roman Forum
Location:
view in google mapsVia Romolo Artioli
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 3996 77004
Arco di Costantino
Location:
view in google mapsvia San Gregorio
Piazza del Colosseo
00184 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 48 8991 (Tourist Information)5
The Colosseum (Colosseo)
Location:
view in google mapsPiazza del Colosseo
Piazzale del Colosseo, Via dei Fori Imperiali
00184 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 700 4261 / +39 6 700 5469Day 4 - Rome
On the last morning in Rome, I plan a leisurely stroll past the Pantheon to the Campo de' Fiori where I can shop for some local Roman specialties at the market to take back home on the train in the afternoon. Ciao Roma! I will be back soon!
1
The Pantheon
Location:
view in google mapspiazza della Rotonda
Piazza della Rotonda
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 6 6830 02302
Campo de' Fiori
Location:
view in google mapspiazza Campo de' Fiori
Campo de' Fiori
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone:
+39 06 060 608(Tourist Information)