So after a restful night sleep at the hotel, we woke up the next morning had our complimentary breakfast on the terrace top over looking the city and formed a game plan for the day. There was another American couple doing the same...using the Rick Steves' guide as well...everywhere you turn you see someone with that book!
We decided to start off with one of the walks on the Rick Steves' play lists (not sure which since in order to clear up space on the phone I deleted all the tours and we also gave our Italy book to our good friends who played host to us when we were in Naples). But I do know that we started at the Spanish Steps and walked past Palazzo Senatorio (Rome's City Hall), and various other parks and monuments to various leaders of Rome.
During the walk we got to venture by the Trevi Fountain.
It is always crazy busy, but it worth the maneuvering for a picture.
It seems like every around every corner in Rome there is a an artifact, sculpture, or building that just begs for a its picture to be taken.
We finally tore ourselves from one section of Rome to visit the Colosseum.
It is amazing to think how the structure use to look and also that so much of it is still intact.
The location of the Colosseum is footsteps away from the old center of Rome, the home of Caesars and other nobility.
The floor has long deteriorated, but it now gives a look into the belly of the games. The underground caverns that the workers, gladiators, and the animals would be held in until their time came.
Once again we found ourselves listening to the free audio tour provided by Rick Steves.
The Arch of Constantine being preserved next to the Colosseum.
After touring the Colosseum we headed off to see one of the ancient residences in Palatine Hill.
Rome consists of various "hills", the "hills" are were the wealthy and noble rulers of ancient Rome lived.
It was also interesting to find out that these particular purple flowers are the ancestors of the much loved petunias.
Below the "hill" is where the hustle and bustle of the booming Roman Empire took place, The Forum. With markets, restaurants, religious sanctuaries and homes, victorious armies would march through with their bounty. In the valley the rich and poor were mixed together, the cook at the local table would live in a much smaller housing complex but right next to a royals house.
The Forum is also were Julius Caesar was struck down, and supposedly remarked his "Et tu Brute?" and where his body was cremated.
The Vestal Virgins also resided in The Forum, they were roman woman who took an oath to remain celibate and to uphold the beliefs and standards of the Roman State.
From The Forum we walked past The Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of an united Italy.
Some of The Forum and other ancient neighborhoods were destroyed to make this huge monument, making it a controversial centerpiece.
We then made our way to the Pantheon.
The Pantheon is the best preserved ancient building in Rome. Many building that were originally built to honor the gods, with the spread of Christianity they re-purposed those same buildings for their own religious purposes. Many were stripped of their monuments to the gods, or they were renamed to represent biblical and religious figures.
After a long day of touring we found ourselves next to our hotel, and at an hour that we could make reservations for dinner.
We settled on another recommendation from the book, and found ourselves at a old chapel turned restaurant.
After a delightful meal we headed back to view the Trevi Fountain at night...
and strolled the alley of shops filled with tourists and locals.
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