This morning we arrived in Civitavecchia just behind the newest Holland America ship, the MS Koningsdam. Due to our tour to Rome, we were unfortunately not able to visit the Koningsdam. Ann and Cathy & I were picked up early by our tour guide and off the to the "Eternal City. This was a site filled day..... Our first stop in Rome was the ancient ruins of the Coliseum, the immense amphitheater is the symbol of the city. On our way to the Forum, we stopped at the Orange Garden of Santa Sabina and Basilica overlooking the city of Rome. This was a hidden treasure dating back to 422AD. Next to the Clementis PPXIII Square for a view and photograph of St Peter's Basilica through the Villa Magistrale keyhole gate.... I felt like I did a pretty good job taking a shot through that tiny keyhole at the basilica miles away... We walked the Forum ruins to see the remains of the center of civic and economic life in the Roman times. Off we went to throw our coins into Trevi Fountain... by the way, we had a pleasant surprise, the scaffolding shrouding the fountain has been removed since last year and looked very nice. The Holy Stairs at the Sancta Sanctorum where visitors kneel to climb to the church was a new and a pleasant surprise to us. Our next stop the Augustus Forum was dedicated to the avenge the assignation of Julius Caesar. The Vatican City, St Peter's Basilica, Castel St. Angelo also known as Hadrian's Mausoleum, Piazzale Garabaldi, Pantheon and the Church of Saint Holy Mary to name a few, were on our list today. It is charming how so many iconic sites have been preserved amongst the cosmopolitan atmosphere. Over the course of the last 3000 years the sheer volume of history and culture that has been accumulated in this city is nothing short of spectacular and we never miss a chance to come back to Rome time and time again! A wonderful day of touring, great gelato and pizza! Looking forward to our tour tomorrow to Cinque Terre... This blog is in two parts, this is part one.
Keyhole shot is perfect!
ReplyDelete