Viva Italia and La Dolce Vita, the sweet life. I'm hoping this is how I'll feel for the next week or so. I had my first day in Roma, Italia today and spent most of it walking a small section of her streets.
Tonight is the start of a new tour but I have 3 extra nights tacked on in Rome at the end. I'll be trying out an airbnb apartment for the first time. And, I have purchased a 3 day Omni Vatican and Rome pass which will get me 'skip the line' entry into the Vatican museum, St Peter's Basilica, Colosseum, hop on hop off bus, etc. so I really only had a peek of Rome from the outside today.
I had long walk through the Villa Borghese gardens, through to the Piazza del Popolo, over Fiume Tevere (Tiber River), Piazza Navona then stopped for a delicious lunch of pizza, salad & wine in a little restaurant around the corner from the Pantheon.
Villa Borghese gardens
Twin churches of Santa Maria del Miracoli & Santa Maria di Montesanto in the Piazza del Popolo
Heading back to the hotel, I was a little peeved to realize that the Fontana di Trevi was undergoing a massive restoration. I know what you're saying: think yourself lucky your in Rome at all! You're right, but come on, when you think of Rome you think of the Trevi fountain! You want to see it in all of its glory, right?
Did you know that Rome has over 2,000 fountains? And, they also have more Egyptian obelesques than Egypt! Crazy.
Fontana di Trevi under restoration
After having dinner and meeting the tour group we took a short bus ride around Rome to see some of the sights illuminated at night. The fountains, Colosseum, Basilicas, etc, etc. look beautiful lit up at night. We only got to stop the bus for a photo opportunity outside of St Peter's Basilica so I'll try and do a night walk on my return to take some more night time happy snaps.
P.S. You know you're in Italy when your room looks like this
Buona notte!