Our bus to Rome left at 7AM. We had the same bus driver as our trip to Venice (Alfredo). The bus ride took about 4 hours with a half hour rest stop, so we got to Rome at 11. We met up with our tour guide, also named Alfredo and started our first walking tour.
We went to the Spanish Steps first. The fountain in front is of a sinking boat by Bernini. Then we headed to the Trevi Fountain where we were given 30 minutes of free time to take pictures and have lunch. We threw coins into the fountain (with right hand over the left shoulder) and made a wish so that we would come back to Rome. We got wonderful pizza from a little shop up the road from the Fountain then headed back to the group.
Spanish Steps
Sinking Boat Fountain
Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain
Next we headed to Marcus Aurellius' Column depicting his triumphs. The column's in a piazza with the Prime Minister's house. After that we walked past Tempio Adriano an ancient Roman temple, built in 145 AD under Emperor Hadrian - one set of columns is still standing today. Then we went to the Pantheon which was unfortunately half under construction, but still amazing. We went inside and looked around which was neat, the dome is amazing. Raphael is also buried in the Pantheon.
Marcus Aurellius' Column
Tempio Adriano
Pantheon
Then we headed to Piazza Novana, a large piazza with Saint Angus Church and another Bernini Fountain. During Roman times, the piazza was a stadium of sport. Next we went to Campo dei Fiori where Pompeii's theater used to be. There was a market with fresh produce and flowers. We ended our tour back at the bus to gather our luggage and go to the hotel.
Saint Angus in Piazza Navona
Compo dei Fiori
Mary and I had a room on the 5th floor, but we had a balcony so it was well worth it. The hotel was really close to the Pantheon too. We had a bit of a rest and then went out exploring again. We went to Piazza della Minerva which is close by the hotel and has an elephant statue by Bernini!! Then we went to Area Sacra where there are Roman ruins. There were cats walking around on the ruins, they were so cute. This is also the area in which Caesar was murdered. I still can't believe we saw the steps he died on.
Bernini's Elephant
Area Sacra
Next we visited the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II which is huge! The statue with Vittorio Emanuele on a horse is the largest equestrian battle monument. We also caught our first glimpse of the Colosseum! We walked all the way up the Monument and had a great view. Then we walked back down and headed over to Colonna Traiana (Trajan's Column) and Foro Traiana (Trajan's Forum). Next we went to get gelato and then walked back up to Trajan's Forum and looked at Mercati Traia and Augustus's Forum.
Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II
First Glimpse of the Colosseum
Me on the top of Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II
Foro Traiana
Vittorio Emanuele Statue
We then walked back past the Monument and down Via del Corso to Piazza del Quirinale where there was a Caravaggio art exhibit Emilie wanted to visit. The rest of us walked down Via Nazionale to Piazza della Republica and then to Santa Maria Maggiore one of the main churches in Rome. The church was really pretty inside and there was a small mass going on in a chapel which was really neat to hear while walking through the church.
Santa Maria Maggiore
We met up with Emilie and walked down to the Trevi Fountain to see it lit up at night. Then we walked to a restaurant called La Monte Carlo which was recommended by API and a friend of Emily's who spent last semester studying in Rome. I had spaghetti with pesto and it was absolutely delicious. We haven't been eating out at all in Florence, so it was really nice to have some real Italian food. I also had a chocolate mousse for dessert. After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and went to bed.
Trevi Fountain at Night
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