When in Rome

Next Sunday is the start of my company's 2010 kick-off in Rome and I have about 5 or 6 hours of free time in the afternoon before it is time to suit up and attend to business. After that, I will be in meetings, presentations and dinners in a hotel, still in the city, but will probably not have time to nip out and see the town. Therefore, I would obviously like to make the most of the opportunity and go out and see some sights.

On the top of my list is a visit to the Vatican City and also a visit to the Colosseum. If I have time to spare I'll probably check out a few more sights, but I doubt it. These two attractions (if you can call a whole sovereign country an attraction) have always been high up on my 'bucket list', things to do and see before you kick the bucket, as they are both such amazing historic landmarks and I am really excited that I'lll get a chance to check them out next week.

Since I only have a limited window of opportunity here, I have to make the most of my touristing so I have researched the distance from the hotel thoroughly and according to Google Maps the Vatican is a 45 minute walk from our hotel which, under the circumstances, is way too far away to walk. Taxi would take me around 15 minutes and public transport about 45 minutes, same as walking for some odd reason, so I think it is quite obvious how I will be getting around. The Colosseum, according to Google Maps again, is about another 20 minutes away from the Vatican, so hopefully I have the logistics figured out at least.

I won’t be traveling alone though; my fellow CB co-workers from Edinburgh will be traveling to Rome as well, so it is likely that I will have company on my Sunday afternoon adventure outing. I am really excited to see some sights, but as always, it would have been much more fun if the rest of the family could come. Next time!

Here are some interesting facts about the Vatican City:

• The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with the smallest population. It measures 44 hectares ( 110 acres) and has a population of about 1000 people.
• The Vatican has its own Post office and issues its own stamps. The Vatican mail system is widely used by Romans as in most cases is a lot quicker than Italian mail.
• The Vatican's radio station is located in a tower inside the Vatican Gardens and broadcasts in 20 languages throughout the world.
• The Vatican's railway Station was opened in 1930 and is mostly used for freight.
• Piazza di San Pietro (St Peter's Square) and the colonnade were designed and built by Bernini (completed in 1667). At 314 meters long and 240 meters wide it is the largest square in Rome. Bernini (with the help of his pupils) designed the 140 statues of saints which decorate the colonnade.
• The Vatican City issues its own passports; the Pope, cardinals, members of the Swiss guard and clergy being the recipients.
• The Vatican City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the only site to encompass a whole country.
• Italians are allowed to donate 8% of their yearly taxes to the Vatican (this is instead of paying it to the Italian Government).
• In 2007 the Vatican opted to become the first Carbon neutral state by offsetting their carbon footprint with the creation of a forest in Hungary.
• The Vatican stamps its own coins. The €1 coin which has a portrait of the present Pope is in high demand with collectors.
• The Vatican museums are over 9 miles (14,5 kilometers) long, and it is said that if you spent only 1 minute admiring each painting it would take you 4 years to complete the circuit!
• Established in 1506 by Pope Julius II the Pontifical Swiss Guard (Vatican guard) were originally employed as personal bodyguards to the Pope, at present they serve as the military force of the Vatican.
• To be a Swiss guard one must be: at least 1,74m (5'8.5'') in height, Male, Catholic, between the ages of 19 and 30, have completed basic training in the Swiss military, and of course, be Swiss.

Here are some interesting facts about the Colosseum:

• At the time of its construction, the Colosseum had the capacity of seating around 50,000 spectators.
• Initially, the amphitheater was used for holding gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles and dramas based on Classical mythology.
• Roman Coliseum remained in use for nearly 500 years. The last recorded games were held in it in the 6th century.
• It was in the medieval era that the amphitheater ceased to be used for entertainment purposes. Thereafter, it was used for housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
• The games played in the Colosseum are believed to have taken the lives of about 500,000 people and over a million wild animals.
• Though ruined by earthquakes and stone-robbers, the amphitheater serves as an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.
• Roman Coliseum is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Rome and still holds close connections with the Roman Catholic Church.
• On every Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the amphitheatre.
• The amphitheater has been depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin.
• There were special boxes in the Colosseum, at north and south ends, for the Emperor and the Vestal Virgins, providing the best views of the arena.