Hop on Hop off Bus – Last Day – Monday May 12/08
The sun has gone down on our idyllic, sunny week, in historic Rome. Cloud showers loomed over our head as we stepped quickly toward the bus stop Today, we’ve bowed to exhaustion, headed for St. Peters to catch the hop on hop off bus offered by Roma Cristiana.
From the comfort of a spacious bus, butt settled in a comfy leather seat, we head out on the route covered by Line A. Our ticket cost $16 Euro per adult; admission covers two lines and 36 stops. A good deal compared to the other open bus companies.
As we passed Castel Sant’Angelo, the female voice over PA faded in and out, once or twice. Who cared! I was finally sitting down.
Number ten on the list, Santa Maria Maggoire, was our first departure. From the window, the backside of this vast basilica was in full view - the bus stopped that close. All we had to do was cross the street and we were there. Of course, crossing the street is never that easy, or safe. Stopping to curse the driver of scooter that almost winged me, just before my foot made contact with the sidewalk. Stashing our umbrella in the backpack we toured this ancient structure that is one of the four major Basilicas in Rome.
The cloudy weather was working for us at our next sight, Bocca della Verità. The line up to stick your hand in the Mouth of Truth, like Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday, was contained to the Portico of the ancient Santa Maria Cosmedin- we had those all important photos in less than half an hour and back out on the streets to catch the next Roma Cristiana bus to come rolling by. (Usually on time-but just).
We picked up Line B after lunch in a small pizzeria. It was our third time back to the same place. The grilled panini’s were crisp, smothered in cheese, and the coffee was good Getting off at Trastevere we stumbled through the tiny back alleys of Trastevere in search of a Piazza Santa Maria Trastevere. We spotted a local police, begged for directions, embarrassed to discover it just up the street. . Once you arriver you can’t miss what our guidebook calls “Rome’s oldest church”. I also have to agree with the guidebook’s judgment that the church’s Byzentine mosaics are worth the bus trip.
Wandering back over half-remembered back alleys, still desperate to find a sign, we finally arrived at the Roma Cristiana’s stop. We waited, a couple minutes longer than the advertised 30 minutes (probably just the bumper to bumper traffic). The sun had come out, and we managed to find seats in the breezy upper deck, and stayed there until the bus returned to St Peters.
After an early dinner we headed back to Piazza Navona. We wandered slowly. Savoring every glance we took. I starred longingly at the familiar baroque churches, whose grandeur was burned forever in my memory. I loved each second in those peaceful church, decorated by artists long dead, but never forgotten; whose doors were long since locked tightly. No last peek today. Reaching the final sight of my now much cherished ‘evening passeggiata’, Trevi Fountain. I tossed in my coin, glanced around, rushed to claim that empty seat. We could enjoy our final gelato in comfort. My favorite is a black forest cake connection that tastes like heaven (can’t remember the name), but leaves my fingers covered in a sticky mess. Ahh Rome….I miss this grand city already, and it’s been just over two weeks.
The sun has gone down on our idyllic, sunny week, in historic Rome. Cloud showers loomed over our head as we stepped quickly toward the bus stop Today, we’ve bowed to exhaustion, headed for St. Peters to catch the hop on hop off bus offered by Roma Cristiana.
From the comfort of a spacious bus, butt settled in a comfy leather seat, we head out on the route covered by Line A. Our ticket cost $16 Euro per adult; admission covers two lines and 36 stops. A good deal compared to the other open bus companies.
As we passed Castel Sant’Angelo, the female voice over PA faded in and out, once or twice. Who cared! I was finally sitting down.
Number ten on the list, Santa Maria Maggoire, was our first departure. From the window, the backside of this vast basilica was in full view - the bus stopped that close. All we had to do was cross the street and we were there. Of course, crossing the street is never that easy, or safe. Stopping to curse the driver of scooter that almost winged me, just before my foot made contact with the sidewalk. Stashing our umbrella in the backpack we toured this ancient structure that is one of the four major Basilicas in Rome.
The cloudy weather was working for us at our next sight, Bocca della Verità. The line up to stick your hand in the Mouth of Truth, like Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday, was contained to the Portico of the ancient Santa Maria Cosmedin- we had those all important photos in less than half an hour and back out on the streets to catch the next Roma Cristiana bus to come rolling by. (Usually on time-but just).
We picked up Line B after lunch in a small pizzeria. It was our third time back to the same place. The grilled panini’s were crisp, smothered in cheese, and the coffee was good Getting off at Trastevere we stumbled through the tiny back alleys of Trastevere in search of a Piazza Santa Maria Trastevere. We spotted a local police, begged for directions, embarrassed to discover it just up the street. . Once you arriver you can’t miss what our guidebook calls “Rome’s oldest church”. I also have to agree with the guidebook’s judgment that the church’s Byzentine mosaics are worth the bus trip.
Wandering back over half-remembered back alleys, still desperate to find a sign, we finally arrived at the Roma Cristiana’s stop. We waited, a couple minutes longer than the advertised 30 minutes (probably just the bumper to bumper traffic). The sun had come out, and we managed to find seats in the breezy upper deck, and stayed there until the bus returned to St Peters.
After an early dinner we headed back to Piazza Navona. We wandered slowly. Savoring every glance we took. I starred longingly at the familiar baroque churches, whose grandeur was burned forever in my memory. I loved each second in those peaceful church, decorated by artists long dead, but never forgotten; whose doors were long since locked tightly. No last peek today. Reaching the final sight of my now much cherished ‘evening passeggiata’, Trevi Fountain. I tossed in my coin, glanced around, rushed to claim that empty seat. We could enjoy our final gelato in comfort. My favorite is a black forest cake connection that tastes like heaven (can’t remember the name), but leaves my fingers covered in a sticky mess. Ahh Rome….I miss this grand city already, and it’s been just over two weeks.
