Sightseeing

Today was a day of sightseeing with my father. All of the things we went to see today have already been posted on this blog but might as well show them again. You just can't get enough Pantheon. I know.



Then it was off to the Trevi Fountain.


My dad threw a coin in........


Next, we went to the Spanish Steps.




Lastly, we went to the Piazza del Popolo.


Oliver and Grandpa play at the fountain.

Colossal!

My dad came to Rome to visit (yay!) so we spent the day touring Ancient Rome. If you are going to start somewhere on your trip to Rome, it has to be the Colosseum. It was also Oliver's first time to see the Colosseum. He fell asleep 5 minutes before we went in and woke up about 15 minutes after we left. He missed it completely. But we have more people yet to come visit us - I am sure he will get another chance to see it. My dad, on the other hand, had a great time and was very impressed.










From there we took a stroll through the Forum. Since I had already been, I have just a few photos from today.


Then it was a visit to the Mouth of Truth. I am kinda mad at this - they limit you to one photo because the line is long and the one I took of my dad came out blurry.

When I put my hand in the Mouth of Truth, Oliver got a little scared!

Lastly, we went to the Circus Maximus where Oliver got to stretch his legs before heading home.

Bridge of Angels

In the city of Rome, there are at least a dozen bridges that cross the Tiber River. My favorite: Ponte Sant'Angelo. This pedestrian bridge was built between 134 - 139 A.D. and spans the river right in front of the Castel Sant'Angelo. Ten angels holding instruments of the Passion stand on the bridge.

And The Band Played On

Favorite thing to do on Sundays: listen to the municipal band play in the Piazza di Monte Citorio

They play every Sunday at 11:00 for around an hour.

Farnese

This past week was supposed to be all about Rome. A week when we weren't travelling anywhere and I got to spend it enjoying the city. It was supposed to be one good week when I got out there, visited and took pictures of all of my favorite sites and things so far in our stay here and then shared them on the blog, so that you could see what I love about Rome. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans. The weather was terrible. It poured rain every day this week. And I was also sick with the flu. So, while it was pouring rain outside, I was camped out on the couch in my pajamas under a blanket and a box of tissue by my side. So much for getting out there. But better late than never. Here it is, Saturday, and the sun is shining and I am feeling better and I have my first post of my favorite things in Rome.

Favorite Piazza: Piazza Farnese

I love everything about the Piazza Farnese. It is a beautiful open space which is dominated by the Palazzo Farnese. The Palazzo Farnese is a Renaissance Palace, which was built in the 16th century and its facade was partly designed by Michelangelo. It is now home to French Embassy in Italy.


On either side of the piazza are two fountains. These two fountains main features are the large granite tubs which were found at the Baths of Caracalla.


Oliver at the fountain:



Andy and Oliver in the piazza:

And my favorite Cafe: Caffe Farnese. Ahhh.... Just to sit at a table here on a sunny morning with my family and sip my cafe latte, eat my pastry, take in my surroundings, watch people walk their dogs, kids playing in the piazza..... its my favorite.