St. Peter Basilica

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Port Information
Tom Ogg

Entry Requirements
Language and Currency
What is Rome Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Port Reviews

Entry Requirements

You will need a valid passport in order to enter Italy, but no visa is required for stays of less than 90 days.

Language and Currency

The official language of Rome is Italian, however some English is spoken in most areas. The official currency is the euro. Major credit cards are widely accepted and there are ATM machines throughout Rome.

What is Rome like?

Magical Rome Through a Keyhole

Rome is one of the most amazing cities in the world. With a population of over one million inhabitants in 1 AD, Rome is considered one of the most important cities in the world. Rome is easy to visit and easy to get around and there is so much to see that one day only allows you to scratch the surface.

What is the weather like?

Rome is an interior city and enjoys bright sunny days throughout summer. With temperatures in the 70s and 80s most of the spring, summer and fall months, you are sure to have good weather during the months most ships call on Rome.

Where does the ship dock?

The Entrance to the Port of Civitavecchia

The port city of Civitavecchia is some 90 minutes away by motor coach (or 60 minutes by train) and with the exception of the last 5 to 10 miles, is a wonderful ride through the Italian countryside. Civitavecchia itself offers limited things to do, so one visiting Civitavecchia would either stay on the ship for the day, visit Rome or take one of the shore excursions that are offered. This is one port where making advanced reservations for a van and driver makes lots of sense, as depending on how many ships are in port, negotiating for a taxi for the day can be trying (and expensive) The train offers an excellent option as the train station is located only 5 to 10 minutes away. For a thorough report on doing Rome via Train On Your Own, click Here.

Where is the shopping?

Designer Shops in the Spanish Steps Area

You will find shopping for tourist items around the main attractions in Rome, but there is an excellent shopping area that surrounds the Spanish Steps. It offers designer stores, boutiques and restaurants and is a wonderful place to plan for a lunch break. The Campo de Fiori is also a very interesting place to visit a local flower, fruit and vegetable market to experience the local culture.

What is there to buy?

Fresh Fruit and Produce in Spanish Steps

The area surrounding Spanish Steps is the designer district and every important designer world wide is represented there. Gucci, Versace, Armani, Tiffany and many more designer labels and jewelry stores offer the best in jewelry, high fashion and leather goods. The leather goods in this area are world class. Look for religious souvenirs in Vatican City and for other souvenirs in and around the major tourist sights.

What is there to do?

The Vatican and St. Peters Basilica

Rome has so many attractions, it is difficult to plan your day. First and foremost, I think everyone would enjoy a visit to Vatican City. Vatican City is a separate state from Rome and has had its own sovereignty. It is a walled city and the world's home of the Catholic Church and Pope John Paul II.

Pope John Paul II Addresses the Audience in St. Peter's Square

If you are there during one of the Pope's addresses you are in for a moving experience. Folks come from all over to hear and see him speak. St. Peter Basilica resides at the head of St. Peter's Square, a huge area surrounded by religious figures and quite capable of holding thousands and thousands of worshipers.

Crossing into St. Peter's Square

A visit to the Vatican Museum can take an entire day and you still wouldn't have scratched the surface. One of the "don't miss" attractions in Vatican City is the Sistine Chapel.

The Ceiling of the St. Peter Basilica

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is an artistic masterpiece painted by Michelangelo.

The Colosseum

No visit to Rome would be complete without visiting the Colosseum. Built during ancient Roman times, the Coliseum was where ancient gladiators fought (and died) for the entertainment of affluent Romans.

The Colosseum's Interior

You can visit the Coliseum and see all aspects of this most unusual time in history. Seating up to 50,000, it is difficult to believe that the Coliseum was built so many centuries ago.

The Arch of Constantine with the Colosseum

Leading up to the Coliseum, one sees the Arch of Constantine that dates back to around 300 AD. Historic sights in this area are so plentiful that they seem to lose their perspective in history.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain (built in the 18th century) is another popular place to visit. The streets surrounding the fountain hosts many shopping opportunities and there are also a good number of places to dine as well.

Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)

Spanish Steps are well worth visiting. While the steps themselves are somewhat underwhelming, the surrounding areas are fascinating. The area surrounding the bottom of the stairs hosts a fabulous designer district that is popular with shoppers form all over the world. Fine restaurants, jewelry stores, boutiques and the who's who in designer fashion line the pedestrian streets. The plaza at the foot of Spanish Steps is wonderful to explore, but be careful of pick pockets in this area, as they often frequent crowded environments such as this one.

Rome's Pantheon

The Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Circus Maximus and the ruins that surround the Coliseum are all worth exploring and depending on your interests, worthy of a good amount of time.

Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?

Yes, Don't miss the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter Basilica and the Colosseum.

Are there any great restaurants or bars?

Most of the restaurants in the designer district around Spanish Steps are simply excellent. You will find wonderful menus and excellent service. This is where the locals come for their lunches, so you know that it is excellent.

Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy Special Reports

Tom Ogg, Rome by Train, On Your Own 

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Port Reviews
(Click on the Review you are Interested in Reading)

Nancy LaChance;
efschlenk; Vatican Museum and Alternatives 

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