Europe '81: Rome

September 4, 1981

Day 4 of my first trip to Europe must have been one of my best and, unlike the first three days, I actually do have memories. I also have a few photos which I'd had printed from my slides. I toured some of the city's major sights, beginning with the Trevi Fountain and my travel journal states that I threw two coins and made a wish, which is said to ensure one's return to Rome. The fountain has worked its magic as I've been back to the Eternal City twice since this first visit 37 years ago.

Trevi Fountain, Rome (1981)

Europe '81: The Arrival

My first trip to Europe in 1981 was a 3-week tour through Italy, Austria, Germany and France. I still have my travel journal, although most of the entries are terribly brief. At the time I believed I'd never forget the details of such an amazing experience. Hah! Thank goodness I still have my slides and a few souvenirs. And now, using these meagre memory aids, I'll attempt to recreate my journey.

A Taste of Rome on Piazza Navona

The highlight of my visit to Rome last summer was dinner on Piazza Navona, one of the city's most popular squares. Located in Rome's centro storico, historic centre, the square takes its oblong shape and dimensions from the Stadium of Domitian which originally stood here.

Rome's Jewish Ghetto and Pantheon Neighbourhood

While visiting Italy this summer, major restoration projects on the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain altered a planned walking tour, taking us instead through Rome's Jewish Quarter and then on to the ancient Pantheon. 

Theatre of Marcellus

St. Peter's Basilica

On our first evening in Rome this summer we took a sightseeing tour of the Eternal City's famous buildings and monuments, which included a brief photo stop at St. Peter's Square. The next morning we returned to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. 

St. Peter's Square at Dusk

Bernini's Colonnade

The Vatican Museums

Our visit to Rome this summer included Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica. The Catholic church has amassed an incredible collection of art over the centuries including Greek and Roman antiquities and Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. These treasures are housed in the the Musei Vaticani, the Vatican Museums.

The Dome of St. Peter's

Colossal Rome

Rome has been called the Eternal City. Its citizens are surrounded by centuries of history. From ancient ruins to the splendour of Baroque artwork there's something special around every corner, like Largo di Torre Argentina where Julius Caesar was assassinated or the fountains in Piazza Navona. So why haven't I bonded with this great city?

Largo di Torre Argentina, Rome

The Via Veneto, Rome

La dolce vita. The sweet life.

You're probably familiar with the phrase even if you've never seen the iconic Fellini film of the same name. La Dolce Vita depicts the hedonism of 1950s Rome. It also made the Via Veneto famous.

Rome and the Vatican

Roma, May 2010 - We had been travelling through England, France and Italy with Trafalgar's Contrasts of Europe train tour. Now in Rome, this would be the group's final day together.

Visitors line up along the Vatican Wall

Grand Tour Rome

Firenze, May 2010 - We were about to embark on the final leg of our journey with Trafalgar's Contrasts of Europe train tour through England, France and Italy with a short trip from Florence to Rome's Termini station.

Before checking into our hotel, we took an orientation tour of those same ancient sights that had attracted earlier travellers on their Grand Tours of Europe. We drove past the Baths of Diocletian and the ruins of the Roman Forum to arrive near the Arch of Constantine for a tour of the Colosseum.

Arch of Constantine