Roaming in Roma ~ 24th March

We awoke to a beautiful morning with lovely views from our balcony of the local park.  We are staying in a neighbourhood on the edge of Rome and with the car parked securely in the garage for a few days (phew I hear Nick say!) we went to find the bus to take us into Roma!  After a 20 minute ride we reach the city and head towards the Pantheon (after Zach popped into a music store to buy drum sticks!).  We have arranged to meet Chris and Judith Humble, who are also in Rome, for a coffee and wait in the sun by the fountain.  The Pantheon is impressive as the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built.  As the sun shone through the oculus of the dome's roof, we visit Raphael's tomb (the artist not the ninja turtle) and view the statues and frescoes.

Rome is easily viewed on foot and so we set off to explore some of Rome's iconic sights.  The Trevi fountain, currently being restored and drained of water, was still worth a look, with its impressive statue of Neptune.  Next the Piazza Navona a pleasant place with its three fountains amongst numerous artist selling their wares and let's not forget the hawkers with their selfie sticks!  Around pretty much every corner you turn has an ancient monument to view and it is incredible to feel how much history is around us.  We briefly walk along the river and can see St Peters dome in the distance.  Next we head towards the colosseum, viewing the impressive Roman forum and Palatine Hill on the way.  Just around the corner and we see the colosseum ahead and after a short walk we are standing beneath it in all its glory.

With our feet feeling rather tired we take the bus back to our apartment. There is still plenty more of Rome to view but are we pleased with what we have seen and not least that we managed to navigate the bus journey both ways successfully!  Rain is forecast for tomorrow so a good day to view the Vatican Museum.

Diane