Journey to Italy for World Airway Meeting 2025

The Long Journey to Italy
Route: Malaysia → Doha → Rome

Alhamdulillah, we safely arrived in Italy at 1:30 PM (local time) on 2 November.
Our journey began at 9 PM on 1 November, starting with the MRT ride to KLIA Putrajaya Express (Terminal 1) before catching our 2 AM flight to Doha and onward to Rome.

Upon arrival, we took the Leonardo Express train, conveniently located just across from the airport, to reach Rome city centre. Only €10 per person for 4 of us (instead of €14 each). Definitely more economical to travel as a group!

About 30 minutes later, we reached the city and walked to our nearby hotel. That evening, we strolled around the Piazza della Repubblica, admired its elegant architecture and iconic fountain. We bought souvenir with only €10 for 12 keychains, a perfect little keepsake from our first night in Rome.

We ended the night with a quick tasting of Italian Pizza. Somehow, my watch showed 330am while it was 9 pm in Rome.

Rome truly feels like walking through the pages of history.

The city was founded more than 2,000 years ago and later became the centre of the Catholic faith during the Renaissance, about 500 years ago. From here, the Pope and Church leaders guided religious and cultural life across Europe especially through close ties with France and Spain.

Yesterday, while sightseeing, we visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) one of the oldest churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In front of it stands a tall obelisk, originally from the ancient Roman Mausoleum of Augustus. It was moved here in the 16th century and crowned with a statue of Mary. The obelisk serves as a symbol of faith and guidance pointing upward toward heaven and marks the site where every year, on 8 December, the Pope offers flowers to the Virgin Mary during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

We also saw another obelisk at Piazza del Popolo, which once marked the northern gateway into Rome about 500 years ago the route through which pilgrims and travelers entered the city. Standing at this historic entrance, surrounded by fountains and ancient buildings, gave a sense of how Rome was designed to welcome the world.