Venice was the termination point for our cruise, but our trip was not over. After the cruise, our group of 4 couples split up. Two stayed in Venice; two (including Leigh and I) hopped a train for Rome, where we spent 3 days.
Our arrival in Rome started out on an ominous note. Rain! Lots of it, and it kept coming. That didn’t stop us from walking around, getting the lay of the land around our home base, the Daphne Inn B&B. Located 1 block from the Piazza Barberini, it was a great location within walking distance of the things we most wanted to see.
The first night we walked (umbrellas deployed) to a convenient market, bought some cold cuts and wine and had a light dinner right in our own private common area of the two-bedroom suite we shared with our friends, Dennis and Jane.
The next morning, our first full day in Rome, we were greeted with sunshine. Perfect weather for our plans to do “ancient Rome.”
The Quick Tour follows: Click first photo to start slideshow…
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- We walked from our B&B a short distance to the Colosseum.
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- This is something I wanted to see since I was first introduced to it in grade school.
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- A floor used to cover this area. Gladiators emerged from here to fight.
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- Where the emperor sat.
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- A restored area of marble that once lined the structure.
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- Dennis and Jane listening to Rick Steves audio tour.
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- Heading up to next level.
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- From the second level we can see our next stop next door: the Roman Forum.
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- Excavation is ongoing.
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- I was captivated by the Roman Forum, maybe more so than the Colosseum.
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- The Roman Forum offered non-stop photographic subjects.
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- So many of the buildings in the Forum (and across ancient Rome for that matter) were built by the Emperor Hadrian, this massive structure included.
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- Overall view of the Forum area from the far end, shot towards the Colosseum (not in view).
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- Excavations are under way all over town. This site was outside the Forum.
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- On our way to the Pantheon, we walk past the famous Rome landmark, the Monument of Victor Emanuel II (‘Il Vittoriano’), built to celebrate the Italian Unification.
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- The Pantheon is the most intact of all ancient Roman buildings. It was built during the reign of Augustus between 27 B.C. and 14 A.D. as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome.
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- After being destroyed by fire, the Pantheon was rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD.
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- So many buildings have followed the model of the Pantheon throughout history, including the U.S. Capitol building.
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- After a full day, we leave the Pantheon and head back toward our B&B.
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- We pass the famous Trevi fountain along the way.
