Roma - The Eternal City

Roma, Non Basta una Vita 
(Rome, a Lifetime is not Enough).


We began our first evening at the Piazza di Spagna where world designer boutiques cover every street and where the Spanish Steps take centre stage (as shown behind me in photo - sorry it's a little blurry).






View from the top of the Spanish Steps. The street down the centre is via Condotti, home to famous shops such as Dior, LV, Gucci, etc.


Pretty digital staircase inside an LV store in Spagna.




Dinner: risotto alla pescatora and spaghetti alla carbonara at a restaurant in the Spagna area. These dishes look very simple but were very delicious. The Italians know the exact science behind the perfect al dente pasta cooking method.


No visit to Rome is complete without visiting one of its most famous structure - The Colosseo (Colosseum) which has been a symbol of The Eternal City since its creation in 80 AD. This is the largest Roman Amphitheater, built to hold 50 thousand spectators as they watched the slaughter of gladiators and wild animals. Here I am at Piazza del Colosseo, with the Arco di Costantino (Arch of Constantine) to the left, the Mons Palatinus (Palatine Hill) in front of it and the Domus Aurea (Golden House) to the right. The Colosseum is behind me.






















The Arco di Costantino (Arch of Constantine) 


On the way to the Foro Romano (Roman Forum)


What's left of the forum...and the Capitoline Hill








On via dei Fori Imperali








Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II), built in honour of the first king of Italy.


On the way to the Trevi Fountain...




One of the many piazza's. I lost track of its name.


We found the Trevi Fountain...and the huge crowd!




We had gelato and pizza for lunch then we each tossed a coin wishing to return to Rome. :)








Piazza della Rotonda, outside the Pantheon


The Pantheon




The Piazza della Rotonda, through the columns of the Pantheon.








On the way to the Villa Borghese...










The park within the Villa Borghese.


Galleria Borghese

Dinner at Ginger in Spagna. Grilled chicken and tortellini.


I ordered a fruit salad for one and got this giant fruit platter. 


Entering the wall enclave that protects the Vatican City.


Vatican guard


The long line up to enter Basilica Papale di San Pietro (Saint Peter's Basilica). 


St. Peter's Square, the Basilica and the obelisk. The Apostolic Palace in the right is the official residence of the Pope

The interior of St. Peter's Basilica by Giovanni Paolo Pannini.

The Baldachin, which is a large bronze canopy over the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica. It marks St. Peter's tomb underneath. 


Pietà by Michelangelo located in side St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 

This famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of Mary after his crucifixion.

View from Via della Conciliazione 

Pretty little 'concrete' garden on the street


The street where we had lunch, outside the Vatican City wall.


Pizza and ravioli


Behind this wall (fortress) is the Vatican Museum, one of the largest in the world, and also home to the Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel).




Courtyard inside the museum


View of the Vatican City from the museum












One of the many halls with decorated ceilings inside the Vatican Museum.


A glimpse of the interior of the Sistine Chapel. 



The Creation of Adam. It illustrates the religious story in which God breathes life into Adam, the first man. 




The spirally swirly "exit" staircase

Heading to the Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo)


Walking along Lungotevere Sassia with Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II behind me.


Tiber River, Castel Sant'Angelo to the left and the Ponte Sant'Angelo to right.






Castel Sant'Angelo




Pork chop and spaghetti vongole on Via del Babuino at the Piazza del Popolo (People's Square).




Radisson Blu Roma






Ciao Roma. Bonjourno Civitavecchia. 

To be continued.....up next: Civitavecchia, Florence and Pisa.