ITALY: Rome – Easter Weekend

I made the mistake of carrying my big pack, and really wore myself out by the time I arrived at Papa Germano’s Hotel. Fortunately there was a cozy private room waiting for me, and after hitting the internet for a while I was rendered unconscious until well after dark. After catching up further on the web, I went back to bed to get an early start in Rome since I had squandered my first afternoon in slumber.

 

                                           Day One

WELCOME TO ROME – This put some spring in my step so follow me as I go on a four hour walk through this great city on Easter Sunday 2017. First Stop: The Trevi Fountain

TRAVEL TIP #3 – Lay out a few destinations on your map, and then just walk to them. You never know what you’ll run into along the way. It could be a beautiful building, choice boutique, charming square or some creamy gelato.

 

 

TREVI FOUNTAIN – Unless you arrive at the crack of dawn or visit after dark, the Trevi Fountain is going to involve a large crowd.

I have my ways of making the crowd disappear so you can have a chance to appreciate its beauty undistracted.

WISHING FOUNTAIN – I wish my birthday didn’t suck.

 

 

 

Although I don’t subscribe to such superstitious nonsense, I tossed a couple of coins into the fountain. One for the kids, their spouses and my granddaughter, and a 20 cent piece for 20 more good years of  adventure. Evidently you’re supposed to turn you back and throw it over your shoulder. I did not comply. Way too many rules for all this silliness.

THE PANTHEON – Love This Pagan Palace

Too bad they went and Jesused up the place.

At least they didn’t mess with the ceiling.

 

Coffered Ceilings – These enabled the Romans to reduce the weight of the dome, as well as create an amazing design element in the process, thus demonstrating a perfect example of form follows function.

THE TRAVEL ZEALOT – ENLIGHTENMENT THROUGH TRAVEL

PIAZZA NAVONNA

 

 

ARTICHOKE BOUQUET

 

SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND – This guy was playing my song.

ST. PETERS – After the crowds let out.

 

RUINS EVERYWHERE

 

 

STREET OF THE IMPERIAL FORUM

 

THE ROMAN FORUM

 

 

THE COLISEUM

 

 

 

 

PALANTINE HILL – Looking down at the Coliseum.

 

 

 

                                         Day Two

 

 

BORGHESE MUSEUM

 

Ceiling Detail

Gian Lorenzo BERNINI – Ratto di Properpina – 1621/1622

 

Ceiling Detail

CARAVAGGIO – San Gerolamo – 1605/1606

 

Gian Lorenzo BERNINI – La Verita – 1645/1652

MOSAIC

 

 

 

GLADIATOR MOSAIC

 

 

Antonia CANOVA – Paolina Borghese Bonaparte – 1805/1808

 

 

 

Gian Lorenzo BERNINI – David – 1623/1624

Tiziano VECELLIO – Venere che benda Amore – 1565

MORE MOSAICS

Gian Lorenzo BERNINI – Apollo e Dafne – 1622/1625

Foot Detail

VIA VENETO – In addition to high end boutiques, it has a number of these restaurants between the sidewalk and the street. Mostly quite luxurious, they are wonderful places to enjoy lunch and watch the world go by.

I enjoyed this tasty lasagne followed by a cosmic panna cotta with red berry sauce.

 

THE SPANISH STEPS – Again, get here early or late if you want to actually see them.