Posted by Arriving into Rome for the second time was like coming back to visit and old friend. We had such fond memories of our time here in 1999, just 3 years ago that we were really looking forward to discovering far more than we had experienced last time. Our first night in the Apartment near Campo de Fiori was very pleasant as was eating out at the fabulous local restaurants so we were ready to savour all the delights we could.
We woke early as you do from time zone adjustments and headed out into the diserted streets which was fantastic to see Rome with just the street cleaners and people setting up restaurants out and about at 5am. We had a few days before the girls were to join us so we put on our walking shoes and went exploring. The Trevi fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona were almost deserted so it was such a treat.
We started the journey and walked along the River Tiber and visited the Castel sant Angelo, which was originally Emperor Augustus Mouseleum and then onto a myriad of churches hidden away in small streets all over Rome.
Looking down the River Tiber towards St Peters around the bend
Saint Peters was a real highlight as the sheer majesty of it along with its enormity and scope is breathtaking in every way. I had a few problems getting in due to the length of my shorts but by the time i pulled up my socks and pulldown my shorts i made it it inside and oh my goodness it was amazing.
The wedding Cake in Piazza Venezia was next and as a replica of Ancient Roman design it was an eye opener as it dominates the skyline and and has a an absolute panorama over Rome. Our Apartment was so perfectly located and had such a massive front door and the local streets were very quite for most of the time.
We crossed over the Tiber again to Trastevere which is a very old delightful and quiet neighbourhood with an amazing Bysantime influenced church, The Basilica of our Lady from the 6th century and also has the best orange juice bar on the planet.
The hanging arches of the Palazzo Farnese on the way to Trastevere are a Roman icon and is was great to just stumble along and finding these treats as we just wandered around.
Look at this, just us at the Trevi fountain early one morning…amazing
The ruins of the Roman Teatro Argentina and the Forum of Romana
Lunch time in the Piazza della Rotonda.
The Arch of Constantine in the Roman Forum next to the Colosseum.
The amazing Colosseum early in the morning with not a soul but us in sight.
The amazing Panorama from the Villa Farnesina Gardens, the road to St Peters from the River Tiber and the Michelangelo designed Piazza of the Capitoline Museum from the air.