STARDATE 2021.266
SECTOR 02
LOG — 23 SEP 2021
NLEN

← BACK TO ROME

Rome — 2021

Mission log · 23–27 September 2021
VIEWSCREEN // LOG 2021
ROME — ST. PETER'S SQUARE

Five days in Rome, from 23 to 27 September 2021 — a long lunch and a surprise visit to the hairdresser's in Trastevere, a morning among the classic Bernini sculptures and a Damien Hirst exhibition at the Galleria Borghese, an underground Roman well just off the Trevi Fountain, a breathtaking sunset over St. Peter's Square, and a quiet day with pasta all'amatriciana in Trastevere before flying home again. Log below, day by day.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
Day 1 — Thursday 23 September 2021

Arrival and Trastevere

In the middle of the night we set off from Eindhoven Airport for our first city trip to Rome together. After landing, we take the bus into the centre, where we recover with coffee and croissants. We spend the afternoon in Trastevere, with a long lunch, a surprise visit to the barber and a walk along the Tiber. In the evening we round things off by the illuminated Vittoriano on Piazza Venezia.

Departure from Eindhoven Airport
05:05
In the middle of the night we stood in the car park at Eindhoven Airport, ready for our flight to Rome.
Selfie on the plane
07:58
With face masks on, we took a selfie during the flight to Rome.
The bus to Rome Termini
09:20
From Fiumicino we boarded the bus to Rome Termini, our suitcases already loaded into the hold.
On a terrace in the centre
12:30
On arrival in the centre we enjoyed a moment on a sunny terrace, with an old Roman tower in the background.
At the Porta Settimiana
14:45
In the narrow streets of Trastevere we walked past the old city gate, Porta Settimiana.
Fritti misti to start
14:53
We started lunch in Trastevere with a plate of freshly fried snacks, even before the pasta arrived.
Portrait in the alley
16:20
After lunch, Marc posed for a moment among the atmospheric alleys of Trastevere.
Parasols in a hidden courtyard
16:53
In a hidden courtyard in Trastevere we discovered a canopy full of brightly coloured parasols.
A dome above the rooftops
16:54
Between the houses we suddenly saw a church dome rising high above the rooftops of Trastevere.
At the Italian barber
16:58
An unexpected interlude: Marc had a shave in the chair at a classic Roman barbershop.
Wine by the illuminated monument
20:33
Over a glass of red wine we looked out at the illuminated Vittoriano, which looks even more impressive in the evening.
The Vittoriano at night
21:42
We closed the evening with a last look at the monumental, white marble Vittoriano.
Day 2 — Friday 24 September 2021

Villa Borghese, Damien Hirst and the Trevi Fountain

The busiest day of the trip: in the morning we walk through the green Villa Borghese park to the Galleria Borghese, where among the classic Bernini sculptures we come across a surprising Damien Hirst exhibition. After the Trevi Fountain and a lunch, we pass the Pantheon in the afternoon, before closing the evening with a long dinner and drinks on Piazza Venezia and a late walk to the illuminated Castel Sant'Angelo.

A bust in Villa Borghese
09:20
Early on we walked past a marble bust on a pedestal, hidden among the trees of the park.
Morning walk through Villa Borghese
09:54
Still early, we walked along one of the wide, tree-lined avenues of Villa Borghese, among joggers and other walkers.
The little clock tower by the pond
10:02
Further into the park stood an elegant little clock tower by a pond, with a small log bridge to an island.
Demon with Bowl by Damien Hirst
10:30
Inside the exhibition stood this unsettling bronze sculpture by Damien Hirst: a headless figure holding a bowl.
Aeneas carries his father
10:30
One of Bernini's marble masterpieces: Aeneas carrying his elderly father on his shoulders.
Hirst's blue pharaoh
10:35
Further on stood this pharaoh bust by Damien Hirst, encrusted with white shells, as if it had just come from a shipwreck.
Passing a Ferrari showroom
11:28
On the way to the Trevi Fountain we walked past a striking Ferrari showroom on a busy street.
Lunch with pasta and wine
12:48
At lunch we sat down for pasta and a glass of wine, glowing after a morning full of art.
The Vittoriano from the Via del Corso
17:32
From the Via del Corso we could already see the white Vittoriano looming at the end of the street.
Crossing at Piazza Venezia
17:49
On the way to the square we crossed the road, with a Carabinieri car nearby and the Vittoriano already in view.
Piazza Venezia at dusk
18:39
From the street we saw the Vittoriano bathed in golden evening light, just before it got properly dark.
14,582 steps on this busy day
19:08
At the end of this full day we checked the step counter: well over 14,500 steps today alone.
Dinner at Piazza Venezia
19:43
That evening we ate lasagne on a terrace overlooking the illuminated Piazza Venezia.
At the illuminated Castel Sant'Angelo
21:47
Liek posed by the imposing, illuminated Castel Sant'Angelo, while people walked past behind her.
Castel Sant'Angelo in the dark
21:50
One last look at the round fortress of Castel Sant'Angelo, beautifully lit against the night sky.
Day 3 — Saturday 25 September 2021

Underground Rome and the Vatican at sunset

We start the day underground, at a hidden archaeological site right by the Trevi Fountain. After a walk along the Tiber and the Spanish Square, a friend joins us for lunch. Late in the afternoon we walk on to the Vatican, where we watch a breathtaking sunset on St. Peter's Square. We end the evening with a simple dinner.

Underground Roman well
11:05
Beneath the Trevi Fountain we descended into the depths: a hidden archaeological site with an old Roman water source.
Painted jugs in a display case
11:09
Among the underground ruins stood a display case with elegantly painted blue-and-white jugs from centuries past.
Along a quiet street
11:49
Walking down a quiet street, we saw an imposing white building with columns looming at the end.
Aperitif at a square full of palm trees
12:00
On a terrace by a square full of palm trees we had a drink, with an ornate lamppost in the foreground.
A friend joins for lunch
13:21
A friend enthusiastically joined us for lunch, thumbs up for the camera.
A fresco above the table
13:35
Above our table at lunch hung an old fresco depicting a religious scene, framed against the facade.
Aperitif at AnticaRoma
14:57
At our regular spot AnticaRoma on Piazza Venezia, we enjoyed a glass of wine overlooking the street.
First glimpse of St. Peter's
17:46
Through a narrow street we suddenly caught sight of the dome of St. Peter's in the distance.
Sunset on St. Peter's Square
17:50
On St. Peter's Square we watched the sun set exactly behind the dome of the basilica.
Dinner: prosciutto e melone
20:10
At dinner Liek enjoyed a classic: thin slices of ham with melon.
Day 4 — Sunday 26 September 2021

A quiet day in Trastevere

After three full days, we take it easier. We're staying at Vatican Rooms, right by the Vatican, and spend part of the afternoon in the room. Later in the day we walk back to Trastevere for a lovely dinner at trattoria Tonnarello, with pasta all'amatriciana and pizza bianca, followed by a short walk through a small park.

Our hotel: Vatican Rooms
09:46
The business card of our hotel Vatican Rooms, right by the Vatican, where we stayed these past few days.
A quiet afternoon in the room
13:50
On this rest day we watched some football in the room, nice to have nothing we had to do for a while.
E-scooters against a graffiti wall
15:43
Shared e-scooters were parked all over the street, here against a low wall covered in black graffiti tags.
The menu at Tonnarello
16:17
Before dinner we looked over the menu at Tonnarello, a well-known trattoria in Trastevere.
Pasta all'amatriciana
16:28
We ordered a steaming pan of pasta all'amatriciana, a true Roman classic.
Pizza bianca with spinach
16:29
Alongside that we shared a pizza bianca with spinach, ham and a fresh touch of tomato and olive.
Walk through a quiet park
17:40
After eating we took a walk through a small park, where young people were hanging out under a large pine tree.
Day 5 — Monday 27 September 2021

The journey home

On the last day we travel back home. Early in the morning we stand in line at security at Fiumicino, and it's raining hard as we depart. Once above the clouds it clears up: we fly over the snow-capped Alps, until the familiar Dutch coastline comes into view again.

Crowds at security
08:24
On the last day we stood early in a long line at security at Fiumicino, everyone wearing face masks.
Selfie before the flight home
09:55
One last selfie with face masks on, ready for the flight back home.
Rain against the window
10:11
It was raining as we departed: through the raindrops on the window we could see the planes standing on the tarmac.
Through the clouds after take-off
10:22
Right after take-off we flew through a thick grey cloud layer, with Rome already out of sight.
Above the clouds
10:27
Once above the clouds, grey Rome gave way to brilliant blue sky.
The Alps from above
11:13
Along the way we flew over the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, a beautiful sight from above.
The Dutch coastline in view
12:13
During the descent we could already see the familiar Dutch coastline below us again.