Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Roma - The Eternal City

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

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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).

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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.

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Pretty digital staircase inside an LV store in Spagna.

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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.

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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.

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The Arco di Costantino (Arch of Constantine) 

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On the way to the Foro Romano (Roman Forum)

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

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On via dei Fori Imperali

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

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On the way to the Trevi Fountain...

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

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

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

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Piazza della Rotonda, outside the Pantheon

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The Pantheon

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

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On the way to the Villa Borghese...

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The park within the Villa Borghese.

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Galleria Borghese

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Dinner at Ginger in Spagna. Grilled chicken and tortellini.

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

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Entering the wall enclave that protects the Vatican City.

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Vatican guard

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

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

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

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

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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.

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View from Via della Conciliazione 

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Pretty little 'concrete' garden on the street

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

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Pizza and ravioli

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

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Courtyard inside the museum

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View of the Vatican City from the museum

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

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A glimpse of the interior of the Sistine Chapel. 


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

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The spirally swirly "exit" staircase

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

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

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

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Castel Sant'Angelo

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

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Radisson Blu Roma

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Ciao Roma. Bonjourno Civitavecchia. 

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

4 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful post<3 I adore Italy- always something to do & find.

    xoxo
    EV

    ReplyDelete
  2. Roma, amazing city it is!! And the food looks also very delicious!!:)
    Enjoy your time in Italy! I'm sure you love it! I enjoy the italian way of living everyday, I study in Milan for a couple of months!

    Maybe we can follow each other via bloglovin/fb?

    www.fussylife.com
    www.facebook.com/fussylife

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love Rome. It is a city full of history and it is really beautiful! Lovely pictures :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your kind words. I always visit and comment back. And if you would like to follow, I would love to keep in touch. :)

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