That night we wandered across the river (our apartment was right next to Vatican city) into the Piazza Navona area and had dinner at a cute cafe where we had delicious pasta and pizza. We then had our first gelato of the trip (first of many) and headed around the corner to a wine bar, Mimi e Coco; a really cute spot with great wine.
mimi e coco:
The next morning we took the bus over to the historic center of the city and walked to the Colosseum for our underground guided tour. The basement chambers of the Colosseum recently opened and can only be seen through a guided tour (which includes the top floor, which you also can't get to without a tour.) Dan and I usually steer clear of guided tours but this one was well worth it. Unfortunately it was raining during our visit so we had to lug around umbrellas but it cleared up by the time we made it to the top so we got some great pics.
underground chambers (where they kept the animals and gladiators before shows):
view of Palatine Hill and the Arch of Constantine from the Colosseum:
The Forum in the background:
After the Colosseum tour, we headed over to the Forum, where we did a walking tour from my Rome book. The rain held out and it wasn't crowded at all so we took our time wandering around and taking in the amazing history.
Arch of Titus:
Cass on the Via Sacra ("the sacred way"; where they would hold victory parades when they conquered new territories):
Temple of Romulus; the bronze doors are original, 4th century AD:
Temple of Vesta (left) and Temple of Castor & Pollox:
After leaving the forum, we walked up by the Quirinal hill (one of the seven hills of ancient Rome) and over to the Trevi fountain. After some quick photo ops there (amid crazy crowds) we found a cafe for lunch right near the Spanish steps.
Trevi fountain:
We then strolled the streets, did some shopping, and had a beer along the river. The sun started to come out as we made our way towards the Vatican, giving us some great shots of St. Peter's.
Castel Sant'Angelo; originally Hadrian's mausoleum, also a medieval prison and the residence of the Pope in times of unrest:
Ponte Vittorio Emanuelle II:
St. Peter's:
That night we went to a pizza restaurant in the Trastevere area (described in my guide book as the "proliterian" section of the city; but actually quite cute) recommended by our friend Scott who went to pizza school in Naples. The restaurant, Dar Poeta, was some of the best pizza we've ever had and it was also our cheapest meal of the trip!
We took the long way back to the apartment, checking out Piazza Navona at night:
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Bernini 1651):
The next morning we woke up to bright sunny skies and headed over to St. Peter's basilica first thing to beat the crowds. After checking out one of the largest and most famous churches in the world, we made our way over to the Vatican Museums. We did a relatively quick tour of the Vatican museums, our main objective being the Sistine chapel. After fighting through the crowds, we finally made it to the chapel, which was just as stunning as I remember.
St. Peter's square:
St. Peter's basilica:
Baldacchino by Bernini:
Michaelangelo's dome:
throne of St. Peter in glory:
St. Peter:
the Pieta:
Vatican museums:
view from Vatican museums:
one of many amazing ceilings in the museums:
admiring the artwork:
After the museums, we went back to the apartment to change, packed a picnic lunch and then walked over to the Villa Borghese gardens. We had a delicious picnic in the park, then rented a surrey bike (after unsuccessfully trying to rent segways) to explore the gardens.
John and Cass after bailing out of the surrey when Dan took a dangerous turn down a hill;)
we spent a while trying to find this lake; but we finally made it to the Lago!
We left the garden and headed over to the Spanish Steps to people watch as the sun set. After checking out the Trevi fountain at night, and having some drinks nearby, we wandered back to the neighborhood we ate in the first night and had another delicious al fresco dinner.
views from the Borghese gardens:
Spanish steps:
making a wish in the Trevi fountain:
The next morning after our daily "snappuccinos" we walked over to Piazza Navona again, and then to the Pantheon. Because of Sunday morning services, the Pantheon didn't open until noon so we spent an hour checking out the Campo de Fiori outdoor market. It was much smaller than I imagined and nothing compared to some of the amazing markets we have in London but we bought some pasta, got haggled by some vendors and then went on our way.
cappuccino's:
SPQR; Senatus Populusque Romanus "the senate and the people of Rome"
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Bernini 1651); fountain representing the 4 great rivers-the Ganges, the Danube, the Nile, and the Plate:
The Pantheon:
Campo de Fiori market:
We headed back to the Pantheon (built in 126 AD and one of the best preserved ancient buildings, has been in continuous use) to go inside and then made our way over to a cute square for lunch followed by delicious gelato at a place with 150 different flavors! Amazing.
inside the Pantheon; the oculus:
mmmm, gelato:
We had such a great time with John and Cass and can't wait to do more traveling with our next visitors!
