Rome Sept. 2011

Rome is such a wonderful city.  Vibrant, bustling and art everywhere. From the fountains, to the statutes.   The coloseum, the Vatican and the Sistine chapel. After checking into to the quaint and charming Hotel Columbia, we met our guide to begin a tour of the Vatican museum.  The works of art are absolutely beautiful.  Statues, frescoes, tapestries and of course the Sistine Chapel.  When you look at this ceiling it's hard to believe one man created such a master piece. Michelangelo was a true genius and master of the art of painting.  Our visit to St. Peters Basilica was delightful.  Not only did we have the opporunity to  admire this beautiful church, we were treated to the sound of a choir performing for the Saturday afternoon mass. 
On Sunday we set out on foot to explore every corner of the ancient city.  The last Sunday of the month is a treat in Rome. The museums are a fraction of the cost and the main avenue is closed off from traffice and becomes a pedestrian way.  It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for strolling about the city.  Our first stop was at the Coloseum for a guided tour of this magnificent structure.
After our tour we walked along the main Avenue to the Panthenon, another architectural marvel and continued on to the Piazza Navona.  The square was bustling with tourists and locals on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.  A brief stop for lunch (pizza and lasagna) and then continued walking to the Trevi Fountain.  In spite of the crowds, this is a must see.  This is one of the most beautiful fountains I have ever seen.  The gals we thrilled to throw a coin in the fountain. They say if you do this, it will bring you good luck and you will return to Rome one day. The rest of the afternoon the ladies were free to do as they pleased.  Browse in the numerous shops, enjoy a glass of wine near the Spanish steps or sip a cappuccino and people watch.  Some were brave enough to walk all the way back to the hotel, others managed to find their way back on the subway . Inspite of the city being so large, it is quite easy to find your way around and there is an excellent transit system.
Dinner this evening was at Maccharoni's, a charming restaurant situated downtown. The food was fabulous. Our last evening in Rome was enjoyed by all. Tomorrow we are off to the Amali coast.