Our Roman Holiday

Since we've been to Rome (2009), we decided not to take a planned tour and just wander on our own - with a little help from a nice bus that took us from Civitavecchia (Rome's port) and dropped us at the Piazza del Popolo (the people's square) in the center of Rome.

The main gate into the city centre.

We wandered down the Via del Corso and found a little cafe - cappuccino and chocolate croissant, please - before heading over to the Trevi fountain.  On our way, we passed through a private breezeway...so pretty I had to stop and take a couple of pics. 

They say you should toss a coin over your right shoulder and into the fountain to ensure that you will return to Rome.  We did it in 2009, and here we are, so...here's to the next time.

So many people in Rome this week...it's holy week, there's a G7 meeting, it's high season (the best weather in Rome is in April), and it's cruise ship season.  Geez!

Did a little shopping for papal robes.

Found this cute little guy in Piazza della Minerva.  Designed by Bernini, the elephant supports an Egyptian obelisk - probably from some ancient nearby temple.

And, isn't the Pantheon around here somewhere?  ...Oh...

There it is...at least the back side of it.

So incredible.

A fine example of a Corinthian column.

There are tons of shops and restaurants in the piazza.  It was a beautiful day and the people watching was great - so we stopped for a beer.

Next stop, Piazza Navona.

Beautiful Bernini Fountain of the Four Rivers

And a quiet restaurant a few blocks behind (better and cheaper food) for lunch.

My new profile picture.

After lunch, it was time to head back to the meeting point for our ride back to the ship.  But first, a couple of other sights: Caesar's Forum (where he was stabbed 23 times).

And the Vittorio Emmanuel monument.

People call it the wedding cake.

Just beyond the cake, you can see The Forum - the large ancient market that sits in the shadow of the Coliseum.  Unfortunately we didn't have time to do those today (we've toured them before).  Fingers crossed that coin thing works.

Of course, we found a pub and stopped in for a quick drink, and then did a bit of car shopping.

 I know this seems like a quick tour, but we had six hours.  We had two meals, a beer, saw some highlights, did some shopping, and thoroughly enjoyed the day.  We WILL be back.  Ciao

Tomorrow - Sicily!