21 October 2009 - Final Glimpses of The Eternal City

Instead of hopping straight back on the sightseeing bus we decided to walk to Trevi Fountain and take in the sights from the roadside. A taxi pulled up just as we were leaving the Colosseum so instead we jumped in and did the unthinkable - forgot to ask the price first!!! Never, ever do this or you will be in for a rude shock!!!! About 2 minutes in and after he had taken us on a bit of a roundabout tour Steve noticed there was no meter so asked the driver where it was. That's when I remembered reading on the internet not to take one of the hundreds of "unofficial" taxis as they often don't have a meter and will charge the earth. Most seem to be owned by gypsys or retirees who have purchased an old car and turned it into a taxi! I immediately asked how much it would be for the 3 kilometre ride and he said €15 - which was about $28! After much haggling he pulled up near the entrance to the Piazza di Trevi after he took the roundabout route, and I managed to haggle him down to €12 but he certainly wasn't happy - and neither were we seeing it still cost about $22 for a five minute ride. We soon learnt our lesson about taking taxis in Rome! Then we wandered down the narrow cobblestone alleyways and streets leading to the Piazza di Trevi, browsing through heaps of souvenirs stores on the way to compare prices before purchasing souvenirs and gifts.

I just loved the alleyways and narrow streets in Rome - they had so much character and offered glimpses of what is it like to actually live here

Steve outside a quaint Rissorante Pizzeria near Trevi in Rome

We each enjoyed an apple, purchased from one of the fruit sellers in the Piazza di Trevi, while sitting and watching the crowds marveling at this beautiful fountain. It's quite a big fountain but situated in a much smaller piazza than the other ones we had seen on our sightseeing. The Piazza itself was quite intimate and the fountain is certainly the focal point.

The magnificent Trevi Fountain - a work of art in the centre of Rome

Gorgeous church in the Piazza di Trevi, Rome

I just had to take this photo while in Rome - "That's Amore" Restaurant

After visiting Trevi we wandered the narrow streets and alleys in the vicinity of the fountain, visiting several souvenir stops before purchasing some Murano jewelery for Sascha and Amy and a Venetian Mask for ourselves. We enjoyed some gelati ice-creams while seated at a table watching the world go by - it was fascinating and quite surreal to be actually sitting in the centre of Rome where so many movies had been filmed - and then we wandered around the area for a little while just to savour the sights before hoping on the sightseeing bus again to finally make our way back to our B&B after a very busy day. We had meandered down these roads before but it was still lovely to take in the sights and capture last photos of the places we had visited while in Rome.

Central Rome - full of pristine architecture and sunlit streets - there are no highrises so the sun is not blocked out like in more modern capital cities

Rome - Smart Car Capital of the World!

Most of the entrances to the buildings or courtyards were ornate, including one to the National Museum of Rome and another with the pillars lining the entrance to an arcade

A "thingamijig" near the main railway station of Rome - there is actually a person inside it!

Obelisks, sculptures, lampposts, window shutters, domes and steeples - just a glimpse of what Rome has to offer as you wander around its streets

A beautiful leafy avenue in the centre of Rome

Fabulous architecture greeted us down every street in Rome

Section of the Roman Forum near the Colosseum in Rome

Ancient stone maps of Europe and the Roman Empire on the walls of the Roman Forum

Final goodbyes to the Colosseum as we made our way home to our B&B in Rome. I will never forget the emotional couple of hours I spent in this building - just an amazing structure: full of history, immense in size and stunning to look at

The Arch of Constantine with Rome's gorgeous pom-pom trees! Dense foliage and an ancient building nestled in one of the parks around Rome

The Roman Forum and Circus Maximus - it was a shame we didn't have time to explore this area fully but due to the way I was feeling it wasn't possible. Hopefully next time ...

The rooftops of Rome - overshadowed by the famous chariot statues on the Campidoglio

Final glimpse of the Circus Maximus where the legendary Ben Hur famously raced his chariot in the first century AD

Steeple of Santa Maria in Cosmiden Church, Rome - Built in 772 AD

Approaching the Temple of Vesta - the oldest marble building in Rome

Restoration work on the Temple of Portunus on the site of the Forum Boarium, an ancient cattle market in Rome

Roman Ancient History was right before our eyes on every corner

One of many Archealogical Digs found around the streets of Rome. Rome has been "rebuilt" so many times over the centuries that buildings are built over buildings which are built over buildings ... so that they are constantly finding ruins from ages past.

A very modern tram in central Rome

The architecture and foliage in Rome was beautiful - I couldn't help taking photos of all the incredible buildings from different angles

Another one of Rome's narrow streets in the centre of the city

Last view of where Caesar had been assassinated so many years ago - I studied the play "Julius Caesar" in Year 10 at school so it felt surreal to actually be seeing it in person

The huge Campidoglio - able to be seen from most of Rome due to its size, colour and the bronze angel with chariot statues mounted on each of its corners

Enjoying the sights of Rome

The Ponte Sant'Angelo crossing the serene Tiber River, Rome The Castel Sant'Angelo or Hadrian's Mausoleum, Rome

Classical Roman street lamp

Our final glimpse of St Peter's Basilica

Gorgeous building opposite our B&B - I loved the design of it, the fresco etched onto the front facade, the cute shutters and the ornate sculpted cornices all over it - and in its shadow were cars parked wherever they could find a space, while scooters lined the roadside. This epitomises Rome in one picture - wonderful historical architecture, gorgeous artwork, devotion to Christianity, and small vehicles vying for space!

A delightful Madonna and Child fresco in the front facade of a building close to our B&B in Rome - etched with gold leaf, it was just beautiful surrounded by the shuttered windows and the sculpted cornices - that is typical Rome!

Our Home in Rome!

Behind our B&B was a fascinating huge courtyard, that heaps of apartment blocks backed on to. There were tiny garages for their cars, clothes lines for their clothes and miniature balconies everywhere we looked. They certainly took advantage of every nook and cranny and gave us a glimpse of everyday life in Rome!

On our return to the B&B we chatted with Raphaele - the owner - and also met his uncle, a lovely man who couldn't do enough for us. They were great hosts and we were so glad we had stayed at B&BRome4U. After packing for our departure the next day and then freshening up we decided to return to the All Brothers Caffe for dinner - the owner, in the blue jacket below, and the waiter, also in the photo in the light shirt, were great - very friendly, lots of fun and they gave us a great discount for returning! It was a lovely meal, and a fitting end to a great stay.

Steve, beside a mural of Rome as it was a few centuries ago, in the All Brothers Caffe - our dinner venue on our last night

Finally we made our way home to our B&B for our final night of rest in this amazing city.

What a fabulous two days we had spent "Roaming around Rome", meandering along so many of "all the roads that lead to it" and understanding why they call this "The Eternal City"!