2024 - Rome

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Rome is a city of many cyclists - motorized!
DSC_9176-850-RomeCourtyards
If you walk the small streets early in the m0rning, the courtyard doors may be open, and they usually review statues or fountains in the inner courtyard - even if junk is pilled up around the piece of art.
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There are so many churches in Rome. The Basilica de Sant'Andrea della Valle should not be missed
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DSC_9317-850-Rome Casa dei Crescenzi
Casa dei Crescenzi - Built in the 12th Century, the house was built as a small fortress to guard the river harbours and access to the Aemillius bridge, where Niccolò de Crescenzi collected the tolls to cross the bridge. The house is decorated with recycled ancient Roman artefacts and architectural elements. There was a tower on top of the house, but it collapsed in 1312.
DSC_9401-850-Rome Palazzo Mattei
Palazzo Mattei di Giove, also known as Palazzo Antici Mattei or Palazzo Mattei ai Funari, is indeed located on Via Michelangelo Caetani in Rome
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The Vallicellian Library, established in 1565 by the Oratory Fathers. According to the Rule, the fathers used to accompany their meals by reading and discussing a religious text. Pope Gregory XIII notes the library with his Copious in misericordia bull, in 1575.
DSC_9788-850-Rome Ponte Sisto
The construction of the Sisto bridge was between 1473 and 1479, commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV (r. 1471–84), after whom it is named.
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Evenings are an excellent time to walk along the Tiber. Always great views.
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Being among local people is more rewarding than be surrounded by tourists. Get away from the big sights and you will have a more relaxed experience in Rome.
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The small streets that branch off the Campo de'Fiori are very interesting and full of local life. Campo de’ Fiori is not actually a neighbourhood—it’s a piazza and while it had charm in the past, now it is overrun with tourists. Via dei Cappellari and Via del Pellegrino are interesting streeets to explore.
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Enjoy the colours of the city.

Rome

Over the last few years, Rome seems to be always crowded with tourists. For our 2024 trip, there were a few times that we almost dreaded the thought of arriving in Rome and fight the crowds. Social media posts and articles show line-ups and crowded spaces. People in Rome that we know say the character of the city is being lost with over-tourism.

Of course we went to Rome, but set a goal to avoid the big "A-List" sights. Luckily we have seen most of the major sights.. By avoiding those areas, and spending more time on the smaller streets, walking along the river, and going out early to avoid the afternoon rush-hours, Rome was almost enjoyable as ever. Yes some areas of the city have been taken over by shops and cheap food but there are still areas that have the feel of Rome and should be enjoyed.

Lungoteveres (Italian for waterfront). These are streets that run along the Tiber River. Massive retaining walls (muraglioni) were built to protect the city from flooding of the river. It was a major construction endeavour. Parts of communities were unfortunately destroyed in the process. The river flows well below street level, but there are numerous stairs down to the walkways along the river. One on a walkway at river level, the crowds above can hardly be heard. Great for walks in the daytime. Use caution in the evenings.

If you have never been to the Vatician, well you pretty much have to be prepared to take on the crowds. But there are other churches with spectacular architecture to visit, and it will you and a few others.

We are booked for 2025, despite it being a Jubilee Year, and no doubt will spend some time in Rome again. What is a Jubilee Year? A special event for the Catholic Church occuring every 25 years. The Pope grants plenary indulgence to all the faithful who travel to Rome and participate in religious initiatives. The Jubilee is marked by the opening of the otherwise closed Holy Doors of Rome’s four papal basilicas It is estimated that in 2025 Rome expects an additional 35 million to visit to the city. It will not be a year to visit the Vatican!