Roma; La Città Eterna – April 2025

All roads lead to Rome…

When I was at school I had an amazing opportunity to visit Italy. It has been a country I have longed to return. One of my daughters has a huge passion for Italy following a number of visits and trips. She suggested we went as a family, with my Mum around Easter.

Rome is beautiful – so incredibly beautiful. There is history everywhere. I cannot believe I have never visited this wonderful place.

We flew from London and arrived at Fiumicino airport. An easy coach transfer took us directly to our Airbnb in the Aurelia district. This Airbnb was such a great find! Despite the district being extremely busy and very vibrant, our home for the next few days was a beautiful apartment in a quiet gated community with private garden. There was a large supermarket, typical Italian cafés and restaurants in the vicinity – it was perfect.

We were within walking distance of metro station Cornelia, on line A. One of my passions is underground networks around the world. However I was not particularly enamoured with Rome’s metro. You need to keep your wits about you at all times!

The bus was our preferred mode of transport and you get to see the city. Make sure you tap your bank card – even if you have to fight through a crowd on the bus. Fines are very hefty…

One of our primary aims during this trip was to visit the Vatican and the Holy Doors, as it is the Jubilee Year, 2025. This is a very special year for Catholics around the world. We had chosen our accommodation so it was in easy distance of the Vatican. The bus from outside the apartment took us directly to St Peter’s Square. We were there the weekend before Easter.

We were so very privileged to attend Mass in St Peter’s Square for ‘Domenica della Palme’ where we saw Pope Francis, in what was to be one of his last public appearances. I will forever be grateful for this incredible opportunity.

There are four Holy Doors (Porta Sancta) in the Papal Basilicas in and around Rome. These doors are normally sealed. They are opened every 25 years for Pilgrims to enter.

The doors are located in St Peter’s Basilica, St John Lateran Basilica, the Basilica of St Mary Major & the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Each basilica is so very different and well worth a visit.

My favourite was undoubtedly Saint Mary Major (Sainta Maria Maggiore) – an extremely beautiful church and the largest Marian church in Rome. This was Pope Francis’ favourite and where he is buried.

I was very pleased we decided to visit all four basilicas.

There is so much to do in Rome. Aside from being a spiritual home for Catholics, the history is so incredible. The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Vatican Museum, Castel Sant’Angelo, The Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps…

You cannot visit Rome, or indeed Italy, without mention of the food – a pizza and pasta lovers delight, along with delicious salads, seafood and of course, gelato!

We ventured slightly further afield with an evening trip to nearby Frascati, famous for its wine (amongst other things). A short train journey from Termini station, Frascati is a small town approximately 20 km outside of Rome. We enjoyed an evening of wine tasting and pasta making. Most highly recommended. Grazie Nico!