ROME, ITALY: Sunday, August 30, 2009

Our second day (but official full first day) in Rome we decided to take one of the open (double decker) bus tours around the city to get a "taste" of everything. We had the luxury of hopping on and off all day so that we could spend more time in places that intrigued us. Since we wanted to see everything, we hopped on and off a lot! We took the hotel shuttle into town and then picked up the bus. The weather was HOT, well over 90 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. We did nothing but drink water and perspire while we got our first sun burns despite sunscreen!

On Sundays most of the shops and restaurants are closed, but the beautiful attractions are always available to see.

Here is a typical road in Rome (it is headed towards the Vatican):

Some typical "modern" architecture

Fiume Tevere

Rome has very narrow streets. The city is populated with the tiniest cars that park everywhere and anywhere. You can tell that the lines of the parking spaces are just suggestions! There are very few larger cars and both Dave and I figured that our Tahoe would be virtually impossible to drive and park in Rome.

All the buildings are adorned with ornate carvings! They are all so unique and so beautiful. They sure don't build buildings like that anymore!

I loved these little angels...

Piazze Del Repubblica S. Maria Angeli

You can see a little of the mix of the old and new architecture. The Italians have really done a nice job at keeping the charm of the old world.

Santa Maria Maggiore

I can't quite remember the church that was at the top of these stairs, but what was special is that Michelangelo (known for his sculptures of David and La Pieta and the painting of the Sistine Chapel) was also credited with creating these marble steps. At the top is a plain-on-the-outside-but-ornate -on -the- inside church--Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Looking down from the steps

Inside the church were elaborate carvings, paintings, stained glass, and beautiful architecture...

Even the floor had beautiful mosaics and relief carvings

Another view looking down the steps

More ruins

Another beauty of a church tucked away on a tiny, narrow street

Rome has lots of these water spouts. The water is freely flowing and is ice cold. There were usually lines of people filling their water bottles. We filled up a lot! Thankfully the water was cold, clean, and tasted good!

Here is a typical toilet in Rome. Don't ask me where the toilet seat is--none of the public toilets have toilet seats. But, I must say most of the public toilets were clean, which is a fair trade off! :-) Oh, but yes, in our hotel room--we had a toilet seat on ours, plus a bidet. It's not evident in this picture, but most of the toilets in Rome and Greece have two options for flushing--one which is a light flush and the other being a little more vigorous (I'll let you figure that one out). It must save water...

Another view of the Piezza Venezia and Il Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II. I loved how the Italian flags were blowing in the breeze (sure wish it had been a cooling breeze, but it wasn't).

One of my favorite stops: The Fountain of Trevi (La Fontana di Trevi). This has been the site of several movies. Legend has it that if you throw 3 coins over your left shoulder into the fountain you would be guaranteed a return to Italy. I didn't know that until after--and I didn't even have any coins. I was so bummed later when I learned that...but our last visit before we headed back home, we came back and I had 3 coins--yay, I'm going back to Italy sometime (at least I hope)!

The Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)...there are 138 steps to the top...and yes, we climbed them!

We took the subway back to where our hotel shuttle left us off. We really did get the hang of it, and the ride was only 1 euro per person--a lot cheaper than a bus or cab fare.

These were the stops on this line....

Notice, there is a dog...I guess everyone is welcome on the subway.

And, what can I say, we found the sumptuous gelato (very rich, smooth and creamy ice cream). The two scoop cup Dave is holding cost us 5 euros! At the time the exchange rate was almost $1.50 American dollars per euro--you do the math, that is expensive ice cream....but oh is it worth it! The funny thing was that there was an older gentleman on the bench next to us. He also had that same 5 euro cup and when he finished it, he went back in and bought another! We just giggled! It's interesting, the Italians are not at all fat. They do a lot of walking. Only us American tourists were the fatties!

Once we got back to the hotel, I went in and cleaned up for dinner. When I came out, this was h0w I found him! We then wandered down to the hotel restaurant where we tried some wonderful authentic Italian pasta and salads. It was scrumptious!

Another wonderful day in Rome! The next day was a half day in Rome visiting Vatican City, the museums, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel then off to our ship in the afternoon! Stay tuned!

If you're tired of Rome, sorry, but ...there is more....