Rome First full day

We tried to sleep in because we are out so late last night but no such luck 6:30 AM and we are both awake.

Andre went to market and got eggs and bread for us to cook for breakfast. The market is just around the corner from the apartment.

After breakfast we decided to stay in Trastevere part of Rome this AM. Our first stop is the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere It cost .5 Euro to lite up the mosaics. Very well worth while as they are beautiful. This is the oldest church in Rome dedicated to Virgin Mary. Legend says a fountain of oil sprung from the ground here, so the Pope from the 3^rd century had the Basilica built here.

 Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere

From the 1500's

Next stop Villa Farnesina. We had wanted to do a villa in Lucca but none were open at this time of year. This is a nice 16^th century villa with frescoes everywhere, some said to be done by Raphael. I’m sure the gardens are very pretty here in season. We had to go today to see the villa as I saw online that it is closed tomorrow and the next day to the public.

Villa Farnesina

Don't these curtains look real?

Villa Farnesina

Next we went to the Orto Botanico, the botanical gardens. For 8.00 Euro per person at this time of year, we passed, plus it is quite a big space and we just didn’t have the time that it would take to make it worth while. By going to where the gardens are we were close to Church of St. Pietro in Montorio. This is the site of St. Peters crucifixion. Of course this also involved climbing quite a few stairs to get to the top of the Gianicolom hill. But once on top we did have some very nice views of the city.

Stations of the cross on our walk up the mountain

Next we came down towards our apartment. Scored on some new Birkenstocks that were on sale for 40 Euro, mine had just been put in the garbage a couple of months ago after many years.

Found a decent size grocery store, picked up a couple of things for breakfasts, and to top off the leftovers from my supper last night that would turn into lunch today.

Lunch and relaxed until 1:30 and we are off again

This afternoon we decided to hit some spots we had seen in the dark, as well as add a few more. We started off by a visit to the Pantheon again. So many more people in the day time, and still very amazing to see.

Tiber River, we crossed every day by different bridges, this little island was connected with 2 foot bridges that we used a few times

Inside Pantheon in daylight, amazing

Outside of Pantheon

From here we went to Popolo Square where there is a very impressive Obelisk that was brought over from Egypt.

Beautiful artichoke season

Passed a Ferrari store, they told Andre he could take 1 picture

Obelisk that was brought over from Egypt

Gate to the city

Other side of the Gate to the city

Popolo Square

View of Saint Peters Basilica from the hill

Sundial

We climbed up a street behind and ended up at the top of the Spanish steps, some great views.

Looking down from Spanish Steps

Upper part of Spanish Steps, lower part was busier!

hanging out on Spanish steps

Walked down the Spanish steps then over to Trevi fountain. Again many more tourists in the day than there were at night, but fun to see both.

Cool shoe store display

Back at Trevi Fountain by day

We had a few friends here too!

Next we walked to Piazza del Qurinile to see sunset and presidents palace, which was the Popes summer residence at one time. We were too early for sunset and needed to kill some time, so surprise we went for a gelato, found a shop where we could actually sit down for a few minutes. Went back for sunset, but it is not a pretty one, but still some nice views of the Basilica.

Presidents palace

We bought the biggest gelato they sold since they had a table and chairs to sit at!

Presidents palace

Sunset from Piazza del Qurinile

On the way home ended up at Father of Alterland monument again, security told us they were closing in 10minutes but they let us climb up. We didn't even know we could climb this monument, but it is possible to do in 10 minutes if you move quickly

We made our way home, cut across the little Island in the middle of the Tiber that is near our apartment for a change from our usual bridge. Supper at home tonight with some wine that the owner had left us, we have a very early morning tomorrow.