STARDATE 2024.071
SECTOR 02
LOG — 11 MAR 2024
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Rome — 2024

Mission log · 11–15 March 2024
VIEWSCREEN // LOG 2024
ROME — 14/03/2024

Five days in Rome, from 11 to 15 March 2024: flying Transavia out of Rotterdam The Hague Airport, from the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to the Capitoline Museums, Castel Sant'Angelo and the Trevi Fountain. Log below, day by day.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
Day 1 — Monday 11 March 2024

Departure to Rome

We depart from Rotterdam The Hague Airport on Transavia flight HV6035 to Rome Fiumicino. After landing in the early evening, we travel on by train and metro into the centre, where we check in at the Hearth Hotel. We round off the evening with our first Italian dinner at Archi, an atmospheric restaurant with a vaulted ceiling of old brick.

Departure from Rotterdam Airport
A quick bite before departure, then off to the gate for our flight to Rome.
13:28
A quick bite before departure, then off to the gate for our flight to Rome.
En route with HV6035
On the map we tracked our own flight HV6035, high above France on the way to Fiumicino.
16:58
On the map we tracked our own flight HV6035, high above France on the way to Fiumicino.
View above the clouds
From the window we looked out over a sea of clouds, high above Europe.
17:44
From the window we looked out over a sea of clouds, high above Europe.
Selfie on the plane
One more photo on board before we began our descent into Rome.
17:45
One more photo on board before we began our descent into Rome.
Descending towards Rome
In the dusk we could already see the city lights glittering below us.
18:46
In the dusk we could already see the city lights glittering below us.
Busy at the station
With our suitcases we made our way through the busy station, heading for the centre.
20:18
With our suitcases we made our way through the busy station, heading for the centre.
Selfie on the metro
On the metro on the way to the hotel, Liek posed laughing for the camera.
20:32
On the metro on the way to the hotel, Liek posed laughing for the camera.
Arrived at the Hearth Hotel
Finally in our room at the Hearth Hotel, with a soft pink wall and a bed that looked wonderful after the long travel day.
21:09
Finally in our room at the Hearth Hotel, with a soft pink wall and a bed that looked wonderful after the long travel day.
Dinner under vaulted arches
For our first Roman dinner we chose Archi, a restaurant with an atmospheric vaulted ceiling of old brick.
21:45
For our first Roman dinner we chose Archi, a restaurant with an atmospheric vaulted ceiling of old brick.
At the table for our first dinner
With the e-reader within reach and the first course already on the table, ready for our first proper Italian dinner of the trip.
21:57
With the e-reader within reach and the first course already on the table, ready for our first proper Italian dinner of the trip.
First Italian bites
As a starter, crispy fried bites arrived at the table on a wooden board.
21:58
As a starter, crispy fried bites arrived at the table on a wooden board.
All together at the table
Our table companion chose a baked dish with tomato sauce too, with an e-reader within reach for between courses.
22:27
Our table companion chose a baked dish with tomato sauce too, with an e-reader within reach for between courses.
Veal with capers
For the main course we chose tender veal in a creamy caper sauce, with a side of spinach.
22:51
For the main course we chose tender veal in a creamy caper sauce, with a side of spinach.
Day 2 — Tuesday 12 March 2024

Haircut and the Capitoline Museums

A full day starts with a fresh haircut at a classic Roman barber and an espresso on the corner. Afterwards we walk via Piazza del Campidoglio into the Capitoline Museums, where we spend hours among famous bronze and marble statues and beautifully painted halls. We close the afternoon and evening with an aperitivo overlooking the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, followed by pizza at a little place around the corner.

Freshly cut
Outside the barbershop I posed for a moment with my fresh haircut.
08:33
Outside the barbershop I posed for a moment with my fresh haircut.
Haircut at the barber
At a classic Roman barbershop I treated myself to a proper trim, surrounded by old diplomas on the wall.
08:48
At a classic Roman barbershop I treated myself to a proper trim, surrounded by old diplomas on the wall.
Espresso around the corner
A short, strong espresso at a local café was of course part of the morning.
09:40
A short, strong espresso at a local café was of course part of the morning.
Piazza del Campidoglio
On the square designed by Michelangelo, with the equestrian statue and the clock tower in the background, it was already quite busy.
11:02
On the square designed by Michelangelo, with the equestrian statue and the clock tower in the background, it was already quite busy.
A giant marble foot
At the entrance of the Capitoline Museums stood an enormous marble foot fragment, the remains of what was once a colossal statue.
11:06
At the entrance of the Capitoline Museums stood an enormous marble foot fragment, the remains of what was once a colossal statue.
Horse and lion in the museum
Inside we admired the famous statue of a lion attacking a horse, with the bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in the background.
11:16
Inside we admired the famous statue of a lion attacking a horse, with the bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in the background.
A richly painted hall
Covered from floor to ceiling in frescoes and gilded frames, with a large bronze statue as the centrepiece of the hall.
11:42
Covered from floor to ceiling in frescoes and gilded frames, with a large bronze statue as the centrepiece of the hall.
View over the rooftops of Rome
From a terrace we looked out over a sea of red rooftops and old domes.
11:50
From a terrace we looked out over a sea of red rooftops and old domes.
Statue among the trees
Further on, in a park-like garden, this impressive statue stood hidden among the greenery.
11:55
Further on, in a park-like garden, this impressive statue stood hidden among the greenery.
Aperitivo with a view
On a terrace overlooking the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II we took a moment's rest with some drinks and breadsticks.
12:12
On a terrace overlooking the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II we took a moment's rest with some drinks and breadsticks.
Fried courgette flower
As a bite with dinner we had crispy fried courgette flowers with a fresh salad.
17:10
As a bite with dinner we had crispy fried courgette flowers with a fresh salad.
Pizza with prosciutto
To close out the day I chose a pizza with thinly sliced prosciutto, just in time for dinner.
17:38
To close out the day I chose a pizza with thinly sliced prosciutto, just in time for dinner.
Day 3 — Wednesday 13 March 2024

Castel Sant'Angelo and the Trevi Fountain

A quieter day with the classics of the historic centre: first Castel Sant'Angelo on the banks of the Tiber, then a walk past Piazza Navona with its fountains and domes. Around midday we take a break on a terrace, before walking through busy shopping streets to the Trevi Fountain. We end the evening with dinner and a sweet finish.

Castel Sant'Angelo
Under a bright blue sky, the round fortress tower of Castel Sant'Angelo rose above us.
10:44
Under a bright blue sky, the round fortress tower of Castel Sant'Angelo rose above us.
View over the Tiber
From the bridge we looked out over the gently swirling Tiber, with an old stone arch bridge in the distance.
10:48
From the bridge we looked out over the gently swirling Tiber, with an old stone arch bridge in the distance.
Piazza Navona
On the elongated Piazza Navona we took in the fountains, the obelisk, and the dome of Sant'Agnese in Agone.
12:06
On the elongated Piazza Navona we took in the fountains, the obelisk, and the dome of Sant'Agnese in Agone.
A baroque church façade
Along the way we passed the stately, richly decorated façade of the Chiesa del Gesù.
12:18
Along the way we passed the stately, richly decorated façade of the Chiesa del Gesù.
Break on a terrace
At Antica Roma we took a break on a terrace, with a drink amid the bustle of the centre.
14:10
At Antica Roma we took a break on a terrace, with a drink amid the bustle of the centre.
At the Trevi Fountain
Amid the crowds at the Trevi Fountain, Liek posed for a photo.
15:34
Amid the crowds at the Trevi Fountain, Liek posed for a photo.
At the table for dinner
At dinner we took our seats at the table, with a bread basket and drinks already set out ahead of the first course.
18:22
At dinner we took our seats at the table, with a bread basket and drinks already set out ahead of the first course.
Dessert with berries
We ended the day on a sweet note with a little chocolate cake with fresh blackberries and raspberries.
18:51
We ended the day on a sweet note with a little chocolate cake with fresh blackberries and raspberries.
Day 4 — Thursday 14 March 2024

The Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain at Sunset

After a cappuccino at a cosy pasticceria, together with a friend, we head to the Colosseum for a long morning full of Roman history: from the upper galleries overlooking the arena to the dim passages below and the Roman Forum in the distance. In the afternoon we take a break with a lively aperitivo surrounded by Campari bottles, before walking past the Trevi Fountain again in the late afternoon. The day ends at Archi, our trusted restaurant from the first evening.

Cappuccino with a friend
At a pasticceria full of colourful pastries, we had a cappuccino with a friend before setting off.
08:04
At a pasticceria full of colourful pastries, we had a cappuccino with a friend before setting off.
At the Colosseum
Right by the entrance we posed in front of the imposing outer wall of the Colosseum.
09:37
Right by the entrance we posed in front of the imposing outer wall of the Colosseum.
Through the old arcades
Inside we walked through the centuries-old galleries, each turn offering a new view of the arena.
10:56
Inside we walked through the centuries-old galleries, each turn offering a new view of the arena.
View over the Roman Forum
From the upper rim of the Colosseum we looked out over the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum.
11:06
From the upper rim of the Colosseum we looked out over the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum.
The arena from above
From above we could clearly see how the arena's underground passages once fit together.
11:07
From above we could clearly see how the arena's underground passages once fit together.
Through the dark passages
Beneath the stands we walked through dim, vaulted passages with stairs leading in every direction.
11:10
Beneath the stands we walked through dim, vaulted passages with stairs leading in every direction.
On the balcony of the Colosseum
Leaning against the balustrade, I enjoyed the view over the entire arena.
11:12
Leaning against the balustrade, I enjoyed the view over the entire arena.
Aperitivo with Campari
Along the way we spontaneously joined a table full of Campari bottles, among new acquaintances and the busy traffic.
15:36
Along the way we spontaneously joined a table full of Campari bottles, among new acquaintances and the busy traffic.
Once more at the Trevi Fountain
In the golden afternoon light we walked past the Trevi Fountain once more, just as busy as before.
17:06
In the golden afternoon light we walked past the Trevi Fountain once more, just as busy as before.
Back at Archi
For dinner we chose Archi again, the restaurant from our first evening, with the same atmospheric vaults.
18:43
For dinner we chose Archi again, the restaurant from our first evening, with the same atmospheric vaults.
Pasta with tomato sauce
Liek chose a pasta dish with tomato sauce, with her e-reader once again within reach.
18:57
Liek chose a pasta dish with tomato sauce, with her e-reader once again within reach.
Day 5 — Friday 15 March 2024

Last Morning, Then Home

Before it gets light we walk for the last time through the quiet streets by our hotel, with the fortress walls of Castel Sant'Angelo still in the morning mist. After killing some time at Fiumicino, we board Transavia flight HV6036 for the flight home, with a clear blue sky and one last glimpse of the snow-capped Alpine peaks. A lovely ending to five days in Rome.

Early morning at the hotel
In the twilight we walked past our hotel for the last time, with the fortress walls of Castel Sant'Angelo in the background.
06:08
In the twilight we walked past our hotel for the last time, with the fortress walls of Castel Sant'Angelo in the background.
At the gate at Fiumicino
At the airport we waited among the planes for the call to board.
10:05
At the airport we waited among the planes for the call to board.
Above the clouds, homeward bound
Back in the air, we once more looked out over a thick blanket of clouds below us.
11:41
Back in the air, we once more looked out over a thick blanket of clouds below us.
The snow-capped Alps
Halfway through the return flight, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps slid by beneath us.
11:44
Halfway through the return flight, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps slid by beneath us.