Ciao' from Roma!

Rome... what can I say? It has been on the top of my list of places I'd like to see and it was a thrill to finally make it here! But how much can a girl see in one short afternoon? A passenger on my flight over, who lives in Rome said that we needed a minimum of three days to barely begin seeing all there is here. I'm certain he was right! But take a look at all that I DID get to see. It made me want to check out more of the history of this extravagant, beautiful and troubled city. You know... the rise... the fall? But for now... please join me in my little tour in Roma! (click photo to enlarge)

Just a few blocks from our hotel I came across this open square. It's the Piazza del Popolo which in modern Italian literally means the "piazza of the people". In it's tragic past it was a place for public executions, the last of which took place in 1826. Ouch!

I would soon discover that there are endless fountains here in Rome. This one was one of many in the Piazza del Popolo

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Via del Corso is the main street that runs through the historical center of Rome. A good portion of it is for pedestrians only and it is lined with designer stores, small shops and also leads to many of the major sites here.

What a treat to see this lovely wedding party strolling down Via del Corso... the happy couple was gracious to allow us "tourists" to photograph them and I'm glad for that.

The famous Spanish Steps. It has 138 steps and is the longest & widest staircase in all of Europe. An interesting piece of trivia? Eating lunch etc. on the steps is forbidden & fines are given for doing so. A law was established by Roman urban regulations. Guess I'd better find another spot to enjoy my potato pizza! (an Italian delicacy... yum!)

The Trevi Fountain. I had been walking for a while and wondering if I was getting close, then I rounded the corner... it literally took my breath away! (see panoramic view at top of blog) Such a huge, ornate building, right in the middle of more common structures. It was a very warm, humid day here in Rome and the fountain created a cool retreat to take in it's grandeur. I didn't know it at the time, but the legend goes that if you throw in a coin, you are ensured a return visit to Rome and throwing in two coins will lead to a new romance... Why oh why didn't I do my research ahead of time and bring more change! HA!

I'm not sure what all of these buildings are, but as always I love the architecture in Europe.

This of course is the Pantheon. It is the oldest standing domed structure in Rome and is the best preserved building of it's age in the world. It means "temple of all the gods" (alas the "fall") and was rebuilt as far back as 125 AD.

A view looking outward from the Pantheon.

The above is Largo di Toree Argentina. It is the remains of four Republican Roman temples. (where were the Democrats? ha!) On an interesting side note? There were what looked like "wild" cats dwelling here... they were sleeping on rocks and in the shade. A curious tourist ventured down to get a closer look (what was he thinking?) and I was kind of hoping for a little excitement, but the kitties just ignored him. :o)


The last major building that I saw before I headed back was the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. I thought the name sounded familiar from my visit to Milan and yes... Victor Emmanuel was the first king of a unified Italy.


Well, I hope you enjoyed my tour. I always wish you could ALL join me in the fun! Some of my crew spent their day touring the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel and said it was incredible. Guess that will be on my next trip to Rome. Well, hopefully my next trip... I was too cheap to throw coins in the fountain! Ciao! xo