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143. Italy - Rome - BEST VIEWS and FREE - Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II (Vittoriano)

Italy Tours Johnny Mac recommends: vi.me/VBRoA

Discover Rome's most dramatic monument, the Vittoriano! Journey Joe reveals why this controversial 'Wedding Cake' building offers the city's best panoramic views, shares the perfect time for rooftop photos, and explains why the glass elevator is a must-do experience. Learn how to avoid the crowds, find the hidden museum, and combine your visit with the charming Monti neighborhood.

And you can do most of this for FREE

TOURS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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Duration:: 9m
Broadcast on:: 21 Nov 2024
Audio Format:: other

But there's only one feeling like knowing your banker personally, like growing up with a bank you can count on, like being sure what you've earned is safe, secure, and local. There's only one feeling like knowing you're supporting your community. You deserve more from a bank. You deserve an institution that stood strong for generations. Bank of Colorado, there's only one. Remember FDIC. What if there was a day when we could come together to give to the causes we're most passionate about? Great news. There is. December 10th is Colorado Gives Day, and it's easily the best day to give. All the causes you care about are in one place, so let's start a wave of generosity across the state. Join us in lifting up our local communities. Live now through December 10th at ColoradoGivesDay.org. Caleroga Shark Media. Hey there, fellow travelers. This is Journey Joe Mitchell, and you're listening to Travel Is Back, your guide to amazing destinations for regular folks like you and me. Today, we're exploring what might be Rome's most dramatic building, the Monumento Natsionale, a Vittorio Immanueli II, or as most visitors call it, the wedding cake. Now I know that sounds a bit disrespectful for a national monument, but once you see this massive white marble building rising up like a layered confection in the heart of Rome, you'll understand the nickname. You absolutely cannot miss this building. And I mean that literally, it's enormous, bright white, and sits right at the end of Via del Corso, one of Rome's main streets. The first time I saw it, I was actually looking for something else and turned a corner and BAM! There it was, this massive structure that looks like someone dropped a gleaming white palace right in the middle of Rome's earth-toned buildings. Now here's something I learned that really changed how I saw this place. A lot of Romans historically haven't been huge fans of this monument. They nicknamed it the typewriter and complained that it's too big, too white, too everything. But you know what? After taking the tour we recommend in our show notes, and yes you really should take it, I gained a whole new appreciation for this place. It's not just a bombastic monument, it's a symbol of Italian unity and a fantastic observation point for understanding Rome's layout. Let me tell you about the best part, the glass elevator that takes you to the roof terrace. I'm serious. This might be the best view in Rome. Sure, St. Peter's has its dome and the Palatine Hill has its vantage points, but this view is something else. You're right in the heart of the historic center, elevated above most other buildings, and you get this incredible 360-degree panorama of the city. You can see everything from here, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter's Basilica, and all the way to the mountains on a clear day. And unlike some other viewpoints in Rome, there's actually a nice café up here where you can sit and enjoy the view with a coffee or a glass of wine. Speaking of views, let me give you some photography tips. The best time to shoot from the terrace is late afternoon when the sun is starting to set. The light hits the terrace perfectly, and you get this beautiful golden glow over the city. But here's a pro tip, come twice if you can. Come in the morning to photograph the monument itself, the sun hits the white marble beautifully. Then return in the late afternoon for those city views. And don't forget to take photos of the massive equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II. It's so big that the king's mustache alone is apparently six feet wide. Inside the monument, there's something really special that a lot of visitors miss. The tomb of the unknown soldier. It's guarded by soldiers who stand completely still, and there's an eternal flame burning. The atmosphere here is completely different from the grandeur outside. It's solemn, quiet, and really moving. Every time I visit, I see Italian families bringing their children here to explain the significance. And even if you don't speak Italian, you can feel how important this place is to the nation. Let me tell you about my favorite hidden gem here, the Museum of Italian Unification. Now I know what you're thinking. Joe, did you really just call a museum about 19-the-century politics a hidden gem? But trust me on this one. First of all, it's included in your ticket. And second, it helps you understand why this monument exists in the first place. Plus, the rooms themselves are gorgeous, with these incredible frescoed ceilings and massive windows overlooking the city. Here's something practical about visiting. The entrance can be a bit tricky to find. While the monument dominates the skyline, the actual entrance is off to the side. Look for the stairs leading up from Via de Forri and Perioli. And speaking of stairs, there are a lot of them. Don't worry, there are escalators inside. Just pace yourself and remember that the view at the top is worth every step. Now, let's talk about timing your visit. This place gets busy, but not nearly as crazy as the Colosseum or Vatican Museums. I recommend going first thing in the morning or late afternoon. If you're there when they open, you might have the terrace almost to yourself for a while. And unlike a lot of Roman attractions, this one's actually great to visit in the heat of the day, because much of it is air-conditioned inside. And there's that wonderful breezy terrace at the top. The monument sits at this amazing crossroads of Roman history. From the top, you're looking down on the Roman forum on one side and the Renaissance and Baroque city on the other. It's like a timeline of Roman history spread out before you. Our guide, and again, check the show notes for the tour we recommend, pointed out how you can trace the development of Rome through the different architectural styles you can see from up here. Let me tell you about a cool feature most people miss. The external elevators are glass walled, and the ride-up gives you this incredible shifting perspective of the city as you rise. It's not for those afraid of heights, but if you can handle it, it's like a ride and a view all in one. Just remember to have your camera ready. A word about food. While there is that nice café on the terrace, you're also right next to the Monty neighborhood, which is full of great restaurants. The café is a nice place to chill and have a drink, soft or otherwise, but watch out for seagulls. I recommend doing the monument first, then wandering into Monty for lunch. The contrast between the massive white monument and the narrow, colorful streets of Monty is just perfect. You know what makes this place extra special at night? They light it up dramatically, and the white marble just glows. Even if you tour it during the day, consider coming back after dark to see it all lit up. The area around the monument is safe and lively at night, with lots of people strolling around and taking in the view. Before we wrap up, let me just say, don't skip this place just because it's not ancient like the Colosseum or religious like St. Peter's. It's a unique window into Italy's journey to becoming a modern nation, and those views alone are worth the visit. Plus, it's centrally located and easy to combine with other sites. Remember to check out the tours we recommend in our show notes. We really bring this place to life with stories about its construction and significance. And as always, if you'd like to receive these episodes without commercials, head over to caloroga.com/plus. There's a link right in the show notes. This is Journey Joe Mitchell reminding you that the world is waiting. Get out there and start exploring. A lot more Italy to come, and we're just getting started with Rome. Happy travels. If you're listening to travel as back, you must love traveling as much as I do. We have deals for you that'll make your next adventure even more exciting and affordable. Whether you're planning a trip to a bustling city, a tranquil beach, or somewhere in between, we've got you covered. Some of the popular destinations in our travel recommendations and deals include Orlando, Seattle, Vancouver, Palm Springs, and Montreal. But that's just the beginning. To check out all our exclusive offers and insider tips, head to vietter.com/partner-shop/travelusback. We know that's a long URL, so don't worry. Just look for the easy-to-click link in our series description. Your perfect getaway, complete with amazing deals, is just a click away. Don't miss out on making your travel dreams a reality while saving some cash in the process. If you like long URLs, it's viter.com/partner-shop/travelusback, but you can just click on the link in the series description. Happy travels. There's only one feeling like knowing your banker personally, like growing up with a bank you can count on, like being sure what you've earned is safe, secure, and local. There's only one feeling like knowing you're supporting your community. You deserve more from a bank. You deserve an institution that stood strong for generations. Think of Colorado. There's only one. Remember FDIC. What if there was a day when we could come together to give to the causes we're most passionate about? Great news. There is. December 10th is Colorado Gives Day, and it's easily the best day to give. All the causes you care about are in one place, so let's start a wave of generosity across the state. Join us in lifting up our local communities. Give now through December 10th at ColoradoGivesDay.org. [MUSIC PLAYING]