Archive for category: Travel

A couple of days ago out of boredom, I watched the movie “Roman Holiday” again. Can’t believe the movie was made nearly 50 years ago. 50 years! Time marches on but Rome remains timeless.

Watching the movie brought back fond memories of travelling in Italy years ago, especially time spend in Rome. Not sure what Rome will look like after this pandemic, but I can never forget that gloriously beautiful summer in Rome.

Rome – Part One

The Arch of Costantine – The Roman Forum – Colosseum

Walking from Via S. Gregorio and you can’t help but admire the Arch of Costantine – the most famous of all the ancient arches of Rome. Built along he Roman street it was used for celebrating the victories and it’s the biggest honorary arch that reached the modern ages. Started in 321 to celebrate the victory of the Emperor Constantine at the Milvian Bridge, it was completed in 315 in time to mark the tenth anniversary of the reign of Constantine.

Upon the Palatino hill, it was where the first core of the city was established. It was all around the base of the Palatino that Romolo outlined the sacred boundary line of his city, Rome. Palatino Stadium (or Hippodrome) is situated in the private part of the Domus Augustana. It occupies a large space with an extended rectangular shape and a minor side curved. The satdium was ploughed by a large circular avenue furnished with every kind of statues and marbles.

The Roman Forum, for centuries the centre of the public roman life, in origin was a marshy valley included among the hills. The valley in which the Roman Forum came into existence was formed by the Tiber’s erosion of the sides of the volcanic lava which constitutes the base of the seven hills. The lower part of the this basin, stretching roughly from the central area almost as far as to the river, was occupied by a marsh know as the Velabrum. On the edge of this marsh, at the foot of the Palatine, rose some of Rome’s most ancient monuments, such as the Regia, seat of the ancient kings. The draining of this zone, happened around the 600 B.C. The valley was relaimed and the waters drained into a sewer, the Cloaca Maxima. The area was now ready for use by the tribes who were already living on the surrounding hills, providing them with a place to meet, exchange goods and carry out the main activities of daily life. Thus the Roman Forum was born. It was transformed into the commercial, juridical, religious and political centre of the city. It reached its definitive settlement under Cesare and Augusto and kept for a long time its function of representative place. The Forum is the biggest monumental complex of the ancient Rome that has reached us.

The monuments that form the Forum are: the Holy Street, the Basilica Emilia, the Curia, Romolo’s tomb, Settimio Severo’s Arch, the Nostrum, Saturno’s temple, Concordia’s temple, the Forum’s Square, the Basilica Giulia, Castrori’s temple, Santa Maria Antiqua, Cesar’s temple, Vesta’s temple, the Regia, Antonio and Faustina’s temple, Romolo’s temple, Massenzio’s Basilica, the Aniquarium Forense and Tito’s Arch.

Leaving the Forum area, through Via di San Gregorio, you’ll arrive Via dei Fori Imeriali and the in the Colosseo square. There it is! The symbol of Rome itself: the Coliseum.

The place where the Colosseum now stands was occupied by an artificial lake which was drained after the emperor’s death to allow for the construction of the grand new monument. This was brought about by the fusion of blueprints for two theatres, resulting in an elliptical building designed to hose spectacles of wild animal hunts and gladiator fights. Its actual name was the Flavian Amphitheatre, because it was built by the Flavian emperors. It was inaugurated in 80 A.D, by the Emperor Tito with a series of spectacles lasting a hundred days, which saw the slaughtering of over five thousand wild beasts. A retractable canopy was installed, manned by a special crew of sailors, in order to furnish the seating area with shade. The name Colosseo goes back to the XI century and has its its origin from the closely positioned and colossal, more than 35 meters high. Nero’s bronze statue, inspired by the Colossus of Rodhos. 53 meters high included in an area of 19,000 sqm. Four orders of floors of 80 arcades each and it could accomodate about 70,000 people.

Renouncing the possibility of the flooding the arena, an underground system of passageways was created with equipment for facilitating the rapid succession of animals and scenes. The amphitheatre was repeatedly stricken by earth quakes and fires and was repaired many times over the years. in 523 it hosted its last wild beast hunt. the Coliseum’s ruin began. In the Middle Ages it was Converted into a fortress by the Frangipane and then the Annibaldi families. The monument’s decline accelerated after the 1349 earth quake, when the materails in marble, bronze and iron started to be stripped systematically. For centuries the Colosseum became nothing but a city building material quarry.

In order to save it, Pope Benedict XIV pronounced it a holy place in 1744 due to the blood spilt by the martyrs. The restoration of the monument began in the 19th century, but its condition only improved notably after 1870. The amphitheatre is elliptical in plan, measuring 188 metres by 156, and travertine was used for the exterior and load bearing parts. The cavea, which seated a public of as many as 50,000, was planned with particular care, with the seating rows plotted on radial walls, inclining at about 37 degrees. At the bottom and middle levels the seating rows were of marble, as these were the places taken up by the most important spectators. In the upper section of the cavea the structures were of wood. Rationalised systems of access and numbered entrances facilitated the rapid transition of spectators. The imperial family and the highest ranking state of officials enjoyed the use of entrance passages especially designed for retinues, without steps or long diversions.

The architectural structure of the building was of three orders, each with eighty archways, framed by engaged columns set in the middle of piers. The lowest order was in the Tuscan style, the middle one Ionic, and the upper on Corinthian. The attic contained windows alternated with bronze shields in ancient times. Two thirds of the way up the attic we can still see the large stone brackets which held the masts used to hoist the canopy. The underground sectors included storage areas, lifts, ramps, trapdoors, cages for the wild beasts and various facilities. There was also an underground passageway via which combatants might reach the amphitheatre from the nearby gladiatorial barracks.

Image via Pexels – CC0 Licence

If you dream of freedom and unrestricted, freewheeling travel, then you’ll probably have considered a campervan or a motorhome holiday before. When there are so many incredible road trips to be taken in the world, it’s not hard to see the appeal of a break in multiple locations, exploring on your own terms. The campervan holiday is gaining more and more popularity, and Instagram feeds are filling with scenic shots of beautifully fitted retro camper vans, gleaming Airstream trailers and super modern plush motorhomes. Searches for videos by people who live part or full time in their vehicles – commonly referred to as ‘tiny homes’ –  are up. More and more of us are feeling the oppressive weight of consumerism and the push to earn more and more spurious status symbols, and rejecting that in favour of pursuing minimalism and life experiences instead. And even if it’s only for a few weeks, the motorhome holiday feeds into that. The idea of packing up a few belonging and driving off into the sunset is massively appealing. Touring Europe in a camper van is a brilliant place to start – you can experience so many locations and cultures in a relatively close together distance, which lends itself to this kind of experience. But actually taking the step to make that trip a reality can be daunting – if you haven’t experienced this type of break before and aren’t sure where to begin. Here’s what you really need to know to begin planning your dream motor break.

Getting Your Wheels Sorted 

Of course, the first logical step is to get your transport and your accommodation sorted in one fell swoop by organising your vehicle. You have a few choices here – there are plenty of companies who rent fully equipped vintage restored camper vans or all mod cons motor homes, and if you’ve never used one before, it’s a great place to start. You could also look at purchasing one, either new or secondhand – there are pros and cons to each option. If you do want to purchase, then consider whether you also need add-ons such as camper trailers.Renting is definitely advisable if it’s your first motorhome holiday – there’s no way to truly know whether you’ll enjoy it and want to use it frequently otherwise. But you have to do what feels right for you. If you’re planning a period of several months of travel, it could well be wiser to buy one.

Preparing To Hit The Road

Once your wheels are sorted, there are several things you need to do to get prepped for your European trip. First of all, never embark on a driving holiday abroad without comprehensive insurance – both for the road and for foregin travel. Of course, no one likes to think of the potential for bad things to happen, but sometimes life likes to throw us a curveball. Finding yourself in a foreign country with no access to healthcare if you get ill or have an accident or without breakdown recovery when you’re stranded in a remote location is not something you should let happen. Find travel insurance cover and shop around for the best price. Sometimes if you’re hiring a campervan, breakdown cover will be included, but if it’s your own then make sure you have your policy in place well before you set off. You may also require an International Driving Permit depending on what your destinations are, and you should apply for this well in advance. Making sure you are legally allowed to drive the motorhome in your country of choice is definitely the first step! Once that’s sorted, spend some time getting your travel documentation in order. You will need to take quite a few things with you – store them together in a plastic document wallet somewhere secure. Of course you’ll need to take a valid passport for everyone travelling – ideally with at least six months before expiry, any visas that you require, an in-date driving licence for each person who will be driving on the holiday (both parts), personal travel insurance documents, a European Health Insurance Card –  which guarantees you care while in Europe, if you are eligible – a pet passport and details of their vaccinations, travel details and bookings, details of campsites or hotels that you are planning to stay at, personal contents insurance in case of loss or theft, and a vaccination record for yourself. You will also need quite a lot of documentation relating to the vehicle, especially if it’s your own – the original copy of your Vehicle Logbook, vehicle insurance valid in the countries that you’re travelling to, an MOT certificate which is up to date, breakdown cover details, any tollpasses, and be aware that if you are driving in France, you’re legally required to carry a breathalyser kit as well. If you’re hiring your motorhome or camper van, then you will need proof from the hire company that you are allowed to cross international borders in it. It’s quite a lot to remember, so be sure to gather all your paperwork in good time before you need to set off.

Image via Pexels – CC0 Licence

What You Need To Take

With the paperwork all sorted, what you need next is create a personal packing list. As travels in a motorhome typically tend to be longer than average breaks, and you are more likely to be visiting multiple countries with different weather, this can be harder than it seems. Holidays on the road should be all about freedom and spontaneity, so you want to take a minimal approach to packing. But equally, as you aren’t staying in somewhere with the amenities of a hotel, you also need to make sure that you have all the bases covered yourself. Try to pack lots of lightweight layers which you can combine in different ways to suit different weather conditions. Taking long sleeved, thin thermal tops, cotton tshirts, and ultralight down jackets which pack away to nothing but which are warm, is a really good move. You may need items such as a waterproof or swimming clothes, and you may choose to take a sports kit if you’re going to be exercising while you’re away, as well as hiking boots if you intend on serious walking or climbing. Other essentials to pack include a first aid kit and a small medicine chest with things like paracetamol, plasters, eyedrops and antihistamines as well as high factor sunscreen. Don’t forget chargers for all of the electronics you may be planning on taking – speakers, phones, cameras, laptops or tablets, a Wifi dongle and a torch with spare batteries. You also need to pack a box of kitchen essentials – condiments, salt and pepper, basic utensils and pans, sponges and washing up liquid, cutlery, plates and glasses. Being well prepared will help to ensure that your trip goes smoothly and that you don’t have any last minute panics on the horizon.

Last Minute Vehicle Checks Before You Go

Your vehicle is about to become both your home and your transport to get you around Europe, so it’s essential to know that it’s in tip-top condition and that you’re prepared in every way. Start by taking your van to the nearest weigh bridge –  most places you will need to phone in advance, and pay a variable fee on obtaining the weight. Keep the paperwork you get with you as proof which may be needed abroad. Then perform your vehicle maintenance checks – the tyre pressure, washer fluid, windscreen wipers, door locks and then all the vehicle systems – sat nav, heating, air con, solar panel, batteries etc.

Your Destinations

When you’ve decided on the best route for driving through Europe, which hits all the major locations you’re most interested in, then you’ll need to decide where to stay when you get there. It’s much easier to plan out your stay using dedicated campsites – these also tend to have a number of amenities such as shops and launderettes – but you can also do wild camping, where you stay in a place that isn’t a designated campsite for just one night, and move on the next morning. Within Europe, there are sites called Aires, which are approved overnight stopping places, or you can opt to go completely wild. Download a few motorhome parking apps before you go, so that you can search for a site on the go. Make sure that you are safe and legal and also that you are security conscious. Although on the whole travelling in a motorhome or camper van within Europe is fairly safe, you still need to take sensible precautions, and keep valuables in a location which is a little less obvious. Make sure that you research the legal requirements of driving in each country that you’re planning to go through –  for example, in a lot of European countries, side lights must be switched on at all times, there may be low emissions zones that you cannot enter, and in many countries any fines issued must be paid on the spot in cash. Do your homework beforehand and then all you’ll have left to worry about is making a great road trip playlist before you drive off into the sunset!