SIDETRIP

From Fenti:

Berikut adalah rencana/jadwal untuk side trip di Roma nantinya:

Day One (28 June 2011)Arrival, rest

Day Two (29 June 2011)

The Roman Forum ("Foro Romano"), nestled in a valley between the Capitoline and Palatine hills, is a good starting point.   The forum is really an archaeological complex that you can enter from the piazza leading from the Colosseum.   The Colosseum, of course, is the symbol of Rome.   This is the famous amphitheatre that was able to hold up to 55,000 spectators as they watched gladiator fights, animal fights, etc.   Completed in 80AD, it took 10 years to construct and originally had an adjustable canvas - the precursor to today’s stadiums with adjustable roofs.   Architects today still marvel at the design, which allowed the Colosseum to be emptied in about 12 minutes (think of that next time you are at a major sporting event)!  

The Roman Forum was the commercial, political and religious center of ancient Rome.   In fact, much of our current political system here in the United States is derived from the Roman political system established during the rule of Caesar.  

Piazza di Spagna, and the so-called Spanish Steps is another popular Rome attraction.   During the spring, it is blooming with flowers.   This is a good place to people-watch and hang out, especially at night.   The streets leading in and out of the piazza will offer Rome's finest shopping.   Look for Via del Corso.   Guys beware: if your significant other likes to shop, she will love this district.   A day of shopping here is usually a very potent aphrodisiac!

From there, you can take a stroll (it is best not to drive in Rome, unless you have a death wish - to the Trevi Fountain

*untuk di Piazza di Spagna kita bisa nemu Free Tour: http://www.newromefreetour.com/index_file/FreeTour.htm

Day Two (30 June 2011)

Vatican, the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Cathedral, and the Sistine Chapel. The best way to get there is across the beautiful (angel-clad bridge) Ponte Sant'Angelo.  The Vatican, literally is another country separate from Italy.   It is also the spiritual and religious center for Catholicism.  

Inside St. Peter's Cathedral, to the right, you will find Michelangelo's famous Pieta' - sculpted when the artist was 25 years old.   The dome of the cathedral offers the best view of Rome.   Inside the Vatican Museum, you will find countless treasures collected or commissioned by the papacy over the centuries.   There are many tours that range from 90 minutes to 5 hours.   Of particular interest should be the Raphael room and the Sistine Chapel.   The Sistine Chapel, with its most famous feature, the ceiling, is another Michelangelo (among others) masterpiece.   The ceiling is supposed to depict scenes from the Book of Genesis, and took Michelangelo four years to complete.

Castel Sant'Angelo.   This was originally built (138 AD) as a mausoleum, which was then converted to a papal fortress in the 6th century.   And with its underground passageways, sometimes used to provide safe-haven for the pope to get to the Vatican.   Inside there are numerous works-of-art and you can learn a great deal about the history of Rome.   On the fourth floor there is a cafe' where you can sip on an espresso while savoring some of the finest views of Rome.  

Day Three (1 July 2011)  

Piazza Navona is another one of Rome's famous piazzas.   This is the place to see artists as they sketch and grab a delicious espresso or panino in one of the many outdoor cafe's.   In the center of the piazza is a Bernini masterpiece...la Fontana dei Fiumi (Fountain of rivers).   To the west of the piazza lies the beautiful church of Sant'Angese in Agone.   Legend has it that this is where Agnese was exposed naked, only to be (miraculously) covered by the rapid growth of her hair.   At the northern end of the piazza lies another fountain, La Fontana di Nettuno.    

The Pantheon, an architecturally geometric masterpiece, is also worth seeing.   The building is still in remarkable condition.   Its dimensions and lines are very symmetrical, almost perfect.   Originally a temple built in dedication to "all the gods", today, its concrete dome is the biggest in the world. 

From here, you can do some more shopping down Via Nazionale.   These are similar to the shops around the Spanish Steps, but not as expensive.

Day Four (2 July 2011)

Preparation to go to Modena

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