Well, I think I can safely say that what plagues Rome is that there are simply too many tourists. Or…to be more specific, the WRONG kind of tourists. These people are not looking for history or art…they are THERE only to say that they were THERE. With their stupid camera in hand, they hope to prove it OVER and OVER and OVER!
@@christopherp.hitchens3902 I couldn’t agree with you more ! We’ve been there 30 times and are big time into Roman and Church history. Not to mention the food. You’re comment reply to me spot on about the wrong type of tourist ! Thank you.
@@christopherp.hitchens3902 also too many tourists. Walk into churches that are 15 centuries old and feel nothing. History has no impact on them. The pantheon means nothing to them etc . It’s all about the cameras and what time does Gucci open ! And the wearing of shirts that spell the university that attend as if the Italians care ! The ugly American is alive and well. So sad. That’s why we explore ares of Rome outside the historical center. Picnic out at the aquaducts. Also we are at the stadio olimpico to see AS Roma play many times !
It's not actually countryside anymore. It's just that the city just stops. Think of it like a circular city (urbes) with a tube of "untouched" area going trough it up to about the centre. There is actually more than one, and the reason is that on the right and left of the Appian Way there are for example a lot of important villas, many land of the church (hence Vatican City, the biggest real estate owner in Rome, and technically sort of foreign land/embassy status) or sometimes the government wants to maintain the heritage, would it do it more often it be better.
Riesco quasi a respirare l'incenso profumato dei pini marittimi italiani ... Sei un ottimo ciclista soprattutto su strade sconnesse o affollate. Bravo! 🍊🌴🏆
We did this ride in 2019 in a heatwave in Rome!!It was extremely rough and bumpy as you ride over large and small cobble stones that were laid by legionaires all the way to Puglia.Very interesting ,though and there is a great place for coffee and glorious snacks on the way back🤗
Yes when everyone was on lockdown I was walking around the forum in Rome or Pompeii or Naples wow thanks they really well made and you don't move for nobody can be awkward. But just to think it's not your road pedestrians are infront of but mines and meny others so they should just get out the way !
@@zombie_sister ah trust me, I was there, all that non stop car beeping, heat to the point you're all wet, time to time yelling of Italians...you dont wanna do it for yourself, I've no idea why travels are so romanticized, yeah, yeah, yeah there are sights to see, but does it pay back...I dunno. I've been to all corners of Europe and beyond And this bumpy ride....just imagine how your rear would feel after it, probably you couldnt walk for day or two lol
@@_____J______ that's why I travel through these videos some one else can put up with all of the above. I suffer from a painful rear living in Yorkshire we don't have the best roads but the best views.
Aside from Pompeii (my favorite place of your tours), this Appian road bike tour has captured my heart. I can’t quite put my finger as to why yet. Perhaps it’s the beautiful scenery... or it’s incredible, deep-rooted history - both the spoken and the unspoken... or it could even be the simple thought that so many people who lived before us walked down this exact same road for centuries upon centuries, for whatever reason of their own. OR perhaps... it may be a combination of all three. Either way, I am now inspired to walk upon this enchanted road myself at least once during my lifetime. Thank you for this amazing video! It’d be nice to see the other half of the Via Appia in another vid! 💖
Thank you for showing us the Via Appia, for guiding us in this virtual tour, for showing us those ancient and ancient stones, the same stones that once stepped on the shoes of soldiers of the Roman army. I really enjoyed the tour.
NO DOMINO LA LENGUA INGLESA, HICE LA TRADUCCIÓN CON GOOGLE. ESPERO LO HAYA TRADUCIDO CON TODO EL SENTIMIENTO QUE DESPERTÓ EN MÍ EL HABER RECORRIDO (AUNQUE SEA DE MANERA VIRTRUAL) ESA CALZADA MILENARIA. GRACIAS POR DAR ME GUSTA AL COMENTARIO.
Wow! What an incredible history lesson! You hear about places like this all your life, but seeing it makes the history so much more solid and real. I can see the legions marching toward battle! I collect historical weapons, because holding something like a gladius in my hand just transports me to another time. Thank you so much!
As others have commented here, your videos have truly been appreciated, especially during the Pandemic. Well filmed, annotated, and presented... so very enjoyable! Thank you!
Once you travel the Appian way........you will see the world differently,it’s a transformation. Thinking of all the possible scenarios that took place on and around Via Appia for centuries, will awaken your soul.A must experience in a lifetime.
Just did a 1.5 hour indoor cycle with this playing on my 85 inch tv. So legit. This is one of my favorite vids you have put out. Your work is truly appreciated.
@@ProWalks Doesn't matter to me. I love them all. (Tuscany town/countryside walks, drone shots or bike rides would be AMAZING) As a runner, I hate exercising indoors, but watching your videos 3 feet in front of my ridiculously massive TV has made the 1.5 hours on a exercise bike twice a week somewhat bearable. Ive seen your Pompeii and Herculaneum walks at least 5-6 times over the last few years, I love all of the greek ruins walks, all the little coastal town walks, big cities, little cities, small villages, ruins, freaking everything you put out is legit. Listing to my music really loud, and walking through beautiful European cities/towns while reading the historical captions in your vids really has helped me over the last few years. Much appreciated for what you do.
WOW just came across this, what a beautiful way to armchair travel? This has been lovingly put together, if you like cycling, history, travel.....this trip will keep you captivated. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this, it's genuinely a real joy to watch. Truly appreciated, especially as people are apprehensive travelling right now.
Thank you, What a fantastic place, so much history. My wife ,Suzan, said an Ancient Roman brought here today would have been amazed by bicycles and cars, but might have still recognized some of the places. I'm now going to Google Earth it to get a good "over view" :) Cheers, Rik Spector
Well, according to his captions, the original road eventually fell out of use and they rebuilt it nearby. Still, this path was lined with “original stones”, monuments and ruins so, it MUST be at least partially original.
I think only the big stones are the original, can you imagine a thousands of soldiers ridding in full speed on this bumpy road? No this is only the foundation or what it is left. The road was much wider and it was built with the multiple layers of rocks and sand and on the top was dirt , so the ride was smooth and the road had excellent drainage .
Absolutely marvelous! I did not realize the captions were loaded with so much history and practical information. It took this quiet bike ride to another level. The throngs of humanity blithely clogging your path could have also used some derogatory editorializing in the captions...but you nobly resisted!
Thank you for the time you put into the historical captions. Your videos are not only a high quality viewing experience & great accompaniment for treadmill or stationary bike, they are also great educational content for the brain! We love your channel!
Hi Isaac, this is Dave, just wanted to thank you for the Appian Way bike tour, had been waiting for this one for a long time...I have really enjoyed your Lucca bike tours especially of the Walls, Lucca is such a charming town so glad the town kept the walls, I think Tuscany is extremely beautiful and need to book a vacation just to visit these gorgeous towns... finally things are looking better and travel might open up soon, Ciao. ..
Bravo! Liked and subscribed. Covid killed two attempts to visit Rome over the last 1 1/2 years. Third attempt is set for October for 3 weeks in Rome and Umbria. Thanks!
Watching on a drizzly Seattle morning. Perfect getaway! I'm shopping for an electric bike for the summer. I think you've convinced me to look for one with a full suspension.
I built an ebike and bought an ebike. We love them both so much. Mine has ~3500 miles on it now. The purchased ebike has ~1600 miles on it now. I will always have an ebike. We live in a hilly part of the country and the assist on the hills is much appreciated. Beware pedestrians and cars if you are traveling above 15 mph. They can't comprehend how fast you are moving and they will walk or turn right in front of you. My speeds are mostly 10-15 mph.
Excellent as usual. Nice to view a current video. What are cars doing on that road ? They sure dont give you much room. Old road and not very wide. I could feel the bumps as you rode over them. Love those Italian trees. 🇮🇹 . Nice to see horses.
What a fantastic ride! As an American, I will likely never be able to enjoy this breathtaking and historical ride (especially now in 2021), so I thank you for this. It was wonderful riding along and following along on Google Earth with you!
I'm also fascinated by the dirt path on the side. That has to go back pretty much all the way, too, right? Think of all the countless people of entire lifespans over millennia walking the same place. But then again, Italy is full of this wonderment.
Yeah, it is pretty crazy to think about while you are there that pretty much every person in history that is associated with Rome has probably walked that road.
VENHO ACOMPANHANDO VARIOS VÍDEOS SOBRE A VIA APIA , HÁ ALGUNS MESES. ESTOU MARAVILHADO COM ISSO. TENHO 75 ANOS E SEMPRE ACHEI QUE EXISTIAM , ORIGINALMENTE, SOMENTE ALGUNS METROS DELA. AGRADEÇO PELAS AULAS QUE RECEBO ATRAVÉS DESSES VÍDEOS.
Hurray! Maybe aqueduct park or the arcades of Turin comes next. Dear foot tourist, please do full justice to Appia Antica starting with train from Termini to Torricola just after dawn on a (no vehicle) Sunday. A few zig zags bring you to distant part of Appia Antica with no crowds and a mystical long shadow feel. You will finally reach the more central parts near opening times for very worthwhile monuments (with a/c bathrooms), some honoring ticket stubs from Baths of Caracalla. Opening times very eccentric, so inform yourself beforehand. Note roadside memorial busts are sometimes freed slaves who did well under the practice of buying their freedom, a system kind of like indentured servants in colonial America. Design your own sandwich at a great deli there. Then follow online map to Ardeatine massacre caves. a somber WW2 reprisal site where soldiers executed 300+ civilians. Maybe Baths of Caracalla next, but study a good guide for rich set of historical targets.
I have no idea where this area is (I guess I can look it up on a map, but I'm feeling too lazy right now, haha!) but it is absolutely beautiful and thank you for sharing it with everyone!
Many thanks for this peaceful video. Could you please give the details of your bike? Was it suitable for this kind of road? What is your advice of bike for this kind of road trip? Thanks.
Love this bike ride on such a beautiful day. 😊 My husband and I plan to be there in September. Is it easy to get off the path and visit the aqueducts? Thank you for your content. They are very helpful in preparing for our trip.
If you are on a bike then it is very easy. If you are walking, then it will be a 30 minute walk or so to get over there...longer if you start from the wrong place. There are bike rental places right on the Appian way just before where I started this video.
We’ve done two picnics at the Claudia aquaducts metro is a great way to go Metro line A to Giulio Agricola. Short walk into the park. Lovely Been to Rome 30 times. You will love it
Thanks for the video! I think I'll take a bike to Mausoleo di Gallieno and walk my way "to Rome" - cheaper, better for your back and easier to stop where you want.
What's also astounding is the consistent uniform size and shape of the small paving stones. They had to make all those, and I wonder how many millions there are?
@@Spherian7 - So...if the path was made in 320 “before” Christ, how could he have “walked” it? I mean, other than rising from the dead again to take a stroll. Academic discussion here about math, not religious superstition.
Great footage! Question for you. I'm going in June and many people have told me my plan to bike the Via Appia and cut over to Aqueduct Park will be too rough a ride. My fiance and I are both young and relatively fit. Especially with an e-bike, Will this be that bad from your experience?
You will be just fine. I did it. I was on an ebike though too. I never posted that video because it was a cloudy day so I ended up going back and filming this video. I don't think you'll have any problems. Maybe I can post up that old video as unlisted and share the link.
@ProWalks This information is fine! No need to go the trouble for me. Thank you for the advice though. This excursion was one of the parts I was most looking forward to!
The road is quite narrow -what would happen if two large carts passed each other -one would have to stop and go to the side a little to allow the other to pass?Or was it for pedestrians only?
The road was much wider yo can see the walls on both sides and this is what is left . It is only the foundation . Can you imagine thousands of soldiers with horses riding in full speed on this bumpy road. No the road was made of multiple layers of stones , sand and on the top was dirt so the ride was smooth and the road had excellent drainage
The most beautiful street in the world. When I was about to start the relationship with a girl, today my wife, I had a vision of the Via Appia, and the sentence "Quo vadis Domine" came through my mind. I knew that was it. And I'm not a religious person.
Beautiful. Thank you. I scanned through it (I'll do it again in full). I understand the tomb of Pompey the Great is on the Appian Way. Is that true? I saw the monument to Sextus Pompey's children but nothing for Pompey. I realize not a whole lot of his body (perhaps only his head) made it back from Egypt. Can anyone clarify?
