I am a huge fan of the Roman Empire and Greek Gods, and Percy Jackson is like one of my ultimate favourite movie series. The area that the Roman Empire once conquered has now split into 15 countries, with Italy being one of them.
About 2,000yrs ago, the Roman Empire started with Rome’s first Emperor, Caesar Augustus. For the first two centuries after Augustus became Emperor in year 27, the Roman Empire experienced a period of unmatched political stability and economic prosperity; but the situation deteriorated rapidly in the 3rd century. Between 235 and 285, Rome had more than 20 Emperors, mostly died from violent deaths. Finally in 285, Emperor Diocletian took control and ended the bloodshed cycle. Diocletian set up an imperial structure called a “tetrarchy,” in which power will be shared among four Emperors.
However, the tetrarchy soon collapsed. After Diocletian’s death in 311, it became a bloody tournament for the selection of the next Emperor. Constantine won and by year 324, he had made extreme changes to the empire and most importantly, transforming it into a Christian empire. As a result, Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe for the next 1,500yrs. The empire was also divided into Western and Eastern Roman Empire. By year 400, its financial health deteriorated and the empire became increasingly vulnerable to invasion, starting a vicious cycle. As the Roman army grew weaker, the empire as a whole became more vulnerable to barbarian attacks.
The Western Roman Empire fell in 476, overruled by Germanic barbarian King, Flavius Odoacer. The Eastern Roman Empire survived and continued as Byzantine Empire. In 1453, Byzantine Empire was conquered by the Ottoman Empire under the command of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, and the Roman Empire officially collapsed.
The Kingdom of Italy was formed in 1861. The country remained being ruled as a kingdom till 1946 when voters chose to replace the monarchy with a republic, becoming Italian Republic. Italy is spilt into 145 cities. As the title of this post suggest, in this virtual trip of Italy, we will explore two special cities - its capital city, Rome; and its sinking city, Venice.
Rome, known as the “Eternal City” as ancient Romans believed that no matter what happened to the world, or how many empires rose or fell, Rome will always be there. It was chosen as the capital city in 1870. For a true experience of Rome, many suggest not to miss out the following:
1) Toss a coin into Trevi Fountain.
2) Tour the Colosseum.
3) Walk the Roman Forum.
4) Visit the Vatican Museum.
5) See the St. Peter’s Basilica.
6) Explore the Jewish Quarter.
7) Experience the Pantheon at night.
Next, Venice. It is built on a group of 118 small islands, separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. It is known to be “sinking” gradually as water levels continue to rise year after year. Over the past century, Venice has already sunk by nine inches. Water levels get even worst during the winter months between November to March, and can flood almost the entire city. Studies have shown that Venice might be completely submerged as early as 2100.
The Italian cuisine has roots that traces back to the 4th century, although it was not until the 19th century that the country “Italy” was formed. After the fall of the Roman Empire, different cities start to separate and form their own traditions. Many different types of bread and pasta were created, and varies in cooking techniques and preparation. They are influenced by their surrounding countries like Spain, France and central Europe. For example, Milan is known for risottos, Bologna is known for tortellini, and Naples is known for its pizzas.
Rome isn’t that much explored by S’poreans, there wasn’t much guides available. Ladyironchef is probably the only one that had ever wrote about Rome, but there isn’t that much info. Dining places are chosen mainly based on Google reviews.
At the point of writing this, it is still in the midst of the pandemic, so there isn’t much flight timing options for reference. It will be a 10-day trip with 6 days in Rome, followed by 4 days in Venice. The most ideal option was to go with Lufthansa Airlines with a 1.5hrs transit at Frankfurt Airport (Germany). It takes 4hrs to get from Rome to Venice on the high speed train and cost about $70.
S’pore to Rome, Wed-Thu
SIN 2355hrs > FRA 0600hrs (+1)
FRA 0725hrs > FCO 0910hrs
Venice to S’pore, Sat-Sun
VCE 1905hrs > FRA 2030hrs
FRA 2155hrs > SIN 1700hrs (+1)
Time Difference: Italy is 6hrs behind S’pore.
Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) Airport > B&B Hotel Roma San Lorenzo Termini > lunch at Taverna del Seminario > Pantheon > Gelateria Della Palma (gelato) > National Roman Museum / Palazzo Altemps > dinner at Jazz Cafe
Breakfast at Babington’s Tea Rooms > Square of Spain, Spanish Steps > Trevi Fountain > lunch at La Casetta a Monti > Capitoline Museums > Gunther (gelato) > Trastevere > dinner at Ristorante da Cencia
Breakfast at Antico Caffe Greco > Campo de’ Fiori > Cloister of Bramante > lunch at Ristorante Pizzeria Castello > St Angelo Bridge > Napoleonic Museum > Frigidarium (gelato) > Piazza Navona, Fuimi Fountain > dinner at Bernini Ristorante
Breakfast at Romeow Cat Bistrot > Palatine Hill, Roman Forum > lunch at Ristorante la Nuova Piazzetta > Nero’s Golden House / Domus Aurea > Giolitti (gelato) > Piazza del Popolo, Santa Maria del Popolo > dinner at Ristorante Pizzeria Popolo Caffe
Breakfast at Tram Depot > Colosseum > lunch at Etabli > Borghese Gallery and Museum > Pompi Tiramisu > Altar of the Fatherland / Victor Emmanuel II Monument > dinner at McDonald’s
Breakfast at Pasticceria Panificio Panella Roma > Vatican City - St Peter’s Basilica, Apostolic Palace, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Post Office, Vatican Museums > lunch at Ristorante dei Musei > Mausoleum of Hadrian / Castle of the Holy Angel > dinner at Trattoria Pizzeria Gli Archi
Check-out of hotel > Roma Termini (train station) > depart to Venice > Venezia Santa Lucia (train station) > UNAHOTELS Ala Venezia > lunch at Pizzeria Sansovino > Scuola Grande di San Rocco > Grand Canal > dinner at Osteria Al Squero
Rialto Bridge > Venice Rialto Market + breakfast > Santa Maria dei Miracoli > lunch at Bar All’Arco > House of Carlo Goldoni > Ca ‘d’Oro / Palazzo Santa Sofia / Galleria Giorgio Franchetti > Chiodo Bridge > dinner at Ca D’Oro alla Vedova
Breakfast at Caffe Florian > Museo Correr > lunch at Dal Moro's > St Mark’s Basilica > Bridge of Sighs > Doge's Palace > gondola ride > dinner at Pizzeria Sansovino
Check-out of hotel, store luggage at hotel > breakfast at Bar Ducale > Palazzo Contarini Fasan (look at church from opposite) > St Mary of Health > back to hotel for luggage > Venice Marco Polo Airport > depart for Singapore
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