Author Archives: winifredcreamer

In the Blue Guide to Rome, I read that there are 13 Egyptian obelisks here, more than anywhere else in the world, including Egypt. Many of these arrived during the period when Rome ruled Egypt and various emperors seemed to think that rowing a multi-ton monument across the Mediterranean was a good project. I decidedContinue reading “My Quest for the Obelisks of Rome”

In the past few days we have visited both the Palazzo Barberini, full of art from ancient Rome through the 1700s, and the National Gallery of Modern Art, covering the 19th and 20th centuries. En los últimos días hemos visitado el Palazzo Barberini, lleno de arte de la antigua Roma a través de los añosContinue reading “Rome: Old and New in Art”

My posts are heavy on art history lately, but Art is what Rome has in abundance. There are lots of quirky views and interesting sights embedded in Rome as well. Here are a few. Mis posts enfocan ​​en la historia del arte últimamente, pero el arte es lo que Roma tiene en abundancia. No todoContinue reading “Roman Surprises”

You don’t have to be an archaeology lover to enjoy Ostia Antica. This ancient port of Rome is now inland, and though the Tiber flows nearby it no longer borders the remains of the ancient city. Usted no tiene que ser un amante de la arqueología para disfrutar de Ostia Antica. Este antiguo puerto deContinue reading “Archaeology in Ostica Antica”

We decided to go see Pope Francis. When he is in Rome, he holds and audience on Wednesday mornings. To obtain a free ticket you need to write to the pope directly (!) three months before your visit. But! I  read that if you show up and go through the metal detector, you can standContinue reading “Part II–The Vatican Double Whammy”

Starting our day, we arrived at the cafe in the center of Piazza del Risorgimento at 7:30 am and met our guide. We stood in line until the doors of the Vatican museums opened at 8 am and then we kept moving until after 11 am. We declined stopping for a quick coffee because weContinue reading “The Sistine Chapel/Vatican Museums–Part I–Great art”

Some things are different for the constant traveler and I was reminded of this while reading an online advice about travel in Rome. The writer suggested that all the major sights are so close together that it is really a waste of time to use public transit. The author’s attitude was “you can walk everywhere.”Continue reading “Not by the guidebooks–public transit in Rome.”

The Galleria Borghese is a monument to more is !! MORE !! in the world of art (I need some neon here). The building is a masterpiece of construction, consisting of two large floors that are built, lined and encrusted with mosaic floors, beautiful stonework, painted wall panels and ceilings that make it difficult toContinue reading “Art! ART!!! Galleria Borghese”

In Rome, everything seems big, or huge, or ginormous. Monumental may be the best word. We felt this when we visited the Coliseum and it continued through our visits to the National Etruscan Museum and the Forum. The National Etruscan Museum is in the Villa Giulia, built in 1551-1553 by Pope Julius III. The buildingContinue reading “Monumental means really really big, and a long walk.”

We discovered that Easter Monday is a national holiday in Italy. Since there were no more stores open than on Sunday we bought a few things to eat and then went to be tourists. At Termini, the main train station and subway crossing, we were able to get SIM cards for our phones and monthlyContinue reading “Easter Monday was a holiday–but the Coliseum stayed open.”