Rome, Italy Shore Excursion and Port Information Rome by Train, On Your Own The Exit From the Port of Civitavecchia into the City On my last few cruises to Civitavecchia I had participated in group sharing vans and driving into Rome and then using the van as a tour guide. It just seemed to me that t had to be a better way to get into and out of Rome and still have lots of time to see everything. A van with a driver runs around 400 to 550 euro and is quite expensive considering that you spend a good amount of time just getting to and from Rome. The traffic is horrible. Joanie and I decided to take the train into Rome and see how that worked out for us. is what we found. Turn Right Down This Street After Leaving Port The train station is an easy 10-minute walk from the port entrance. Civitavecchia is an industrial port and requires a shuttle from w the ship docks to the port entrance. To find the trains station, simply exit the port entrance and then cross the street w the crosswalk is (you will see a newsstand on the other corner, see picture above). The Civitavecchia Train Station Continue along this street (parallel to the coastline) for approximately 4 blocks until you hit the train station (pictured above). It couldn't be easier. Ticket Counter in the Civitavecchia Train Station Once at the station, purchase your round trip-ticket to Rome and make your way out to the appropriate track that the train will stop at. The ride into Rome takes just about an hour to get to the first stop in Rome, St. Peters Basilica.  The best ticket to buy is the B.I.R.G., as it will allow you to have unlimited train for 24 hours and also includes unlimited use of the underground in Rome, as well as the city buses. The cost per person as of September, 2005 was 9 euro round-trip. Be sure to write your name on the back of the ticket and validate it in the little yellow validation machines in the train terminal. The St. Peters Train Station Sign T are really two different ways to explore Rome. One is to debark the train near St. Peters, Visit Vatican City and then make your way to Spanish Steps to start your exploration of Rome's fabulous sights. The other would be to go into Rome's main station and do the sights first. I would strongly suggest getting off at St. Peters. St. Peters Square, Vatican City is how you would get to St. Peters from the train. Debark the train at the above sign (you will see St. Peters Dome before arriving at the station, so keep an eye out.) Make you way into the train station and leave through the front door. Turn left and continue down the hill until you hit the first street. Turn right one block and then continue to you left until you hit the main street (next block). Cross the street and continue along the street until the next left turn. You will see the columns making up St. Peters Square's fabulous borders. Simply enter St. Peters Square through the columns. Note that the entrance to St. Peters Basilica is on the right hand side as your look at the basilica in this picture. NOTE: Ladies must not wear shorts or have their shoulders exposed, as they will not be allowed to enter the basilica. If you wear shorts and a tank top, take something to put over your shoulders and wrap around your shorts. Men will not be allowed into the basilica in tank tops. The same is true if you plan to visit the Vatican Museum. The Sign for the Main Train Station in Rome If you decide to start your visit to Rome from the main train station, look for the above sign as t are several stops after St. Peters before reaching the main station. Tracks 27 - 30 in Rome's Main Train Station Also, if you are returning from the main train station, be aware that the tracks that the Civitavecchia train may operate on (27-30) are quite a distance from the rest of the station and take about 10 minutes to reach on foot. Spanish Steps, Rome, Italy The best place to begin a walking tour of Rome's awesome sights is at Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) From Spanish Steps, one can easily take in Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Forum, the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine among other sights. Rome is one of those ports that is best planned in advance. Get a map and map out your day to see as much as you want and enjoy those sights that are important to you. The train is an excellent way to do it as it is a much faster way to get to Rome. In fact, on my last visit, one fellow left after his friends, missed the 8:40 train, caught the 9:10 one and then passed the motor coaches less than half way t that were on the road paralleling the train tracks. All Aboard! Have a Great Day! Tom Ogg