LA BELLA ROMA. Review on Rome

ROME is a beautiful City on the Tiber River. It is the largest City as well as Capital City of Italy. The people here are very 'trendy' and very much like the people I met in NYC. They can be friendly and 'pushy' and I enjoyed visiting Rome 6 times.

We left Venice early in the morning, (by passing Florence), and stopped only for lunch at a Tourist Stop. We mid afternoon and were taken to our Hotel. It was a 4 Star Hotel, (sorry I don't remember the name), on a small square that was about a 20 minute drive to the Spanish Steps.

We had to rush because we were scheduled to visit the Vatican City, (home of the Pope and not considered part of Rome), and the Sistine Chapel.

In Vatican City is St Peter's Basilica that was named after St Peter of Rome. I though there were large paintings on the wall but when I went up close to one of them to my surprise each 'painting' was made out of tiny mosaic tiles. We had to walk carefully because the floors were made of white marble.

Next we visited the tombs that are below the first floor. There is a statue of St Peter in the Basilica. Our Guide told us that the stature has been touched by so many over so many years that the foot has been worn down to a little 'point. Pieta' is the famous statue of 'Jesus Christ and Mary. The carved tombs hold the 'bones' of all the Popes.

The Sistine Chapel is where Michelangelo’s painted his beautiful frescoes of ‘The Creation’ on the domed ceiling.

(When I stayed at the Hilton Hotel I use to walk through the 'Borghese Gardens' to reach the center of the City. This time we only drove though the park. I did go to the Borghese Gallery to see their collection of art and sculpture from the Baroque and Renaissance eras. Bernini's statue of 'King David' was my favorite.)

DAY II:

We finally had one free day and night. MM and I went to the Spanish Steps, (Piazza di Spagna), that lead up to the French Church called ‘Trinità dei Monti’. In the piazza is a boat-shaped fountain called the 'Barcaccia'.

We walked through the streets that branch out from the square and browsed through the shops, (these are the most expensive shops in Rome). We walked down a street of Antique Shops and then had coffee. MM was quite upset when I wouldn't let her sit down and order her coffee. (Coffee costs more if it is served to you.)

I made a mistake and we went to the Alfredo’s Cafe for lunch. The Cafe must have been sold because it was the first time the famous 'noodles Alfredo' were terrible. They still kept the tradition of giving a spoon with a famous person's name engraved on it to someone at the table. MM ate with Elisabeth Taylor's spoon.

We took a taxi to the Street of the America's. This is a great place to shop because there are a lot of designer discount shops in this area.

The first time I was in Rome I had stayed at a hotel called the, (now a Westin), Excelsior. MM and I went there for a drink so I could show her were the rich older Italian Men brought their Mistress'. The hotel is on the Via Veneto that is a street that Romans come to see and be seen nightly. MM and I strutted down both sides of the street. I bought an International Herald Tribune at the newsstand across from the hotel and we sat down to eat at an out door Cafe.

DAY III:

After breakfast we went to the Piazza del Campidogio, (that was designed by Michelangelo), on Capitolino Hill. This is one of the Seven Hills of Rome. Capitolino is where the Roman Government building is. We had half an hour to see the Museum Capitolini collection of ancient art and sculptures.

Right below Capitolino Hill is the Roman Forum. Our Guide said this was the home of the ancient Romans power. We walked inside and sat on the cold marble seats and tried to imagine the great debates that took place here once upon a time.

We drove to the top of Palatino Hill to see the ruins of the homes of the ancient Romans. We drove past the home of Emperor Augustus, (that was built over 200 BC).

I thought the Pantheon was the best-preserved building of ancient Roman. It was originally a Temple. Our Guide told us that some Italian Kings are buried in the Pantheon.

A few feet away from the Pantheon is the Trevi Fountain, (designed in a baroque style). We followed the custom and threw three coins in the fountain, (for good luck).

At every stop peddlers greeted our bus. They swarmed around us trying to sell us 'real' top named pens, old gold & silver coins and watches. The first time I was in Rome I learned that Italy doesn't recognize paten laws and once anything is design an Italian Company can copy it. Buyers beware!

That night we had a special meal out at the Cafe owned by one of Mussolini's Grandchildren. I found that most of the food in Rome was not special, (we have better Italian food in Canada), but it was delicious here. A Gypsy Band was playing and they asked if anyone had a song to request. I asked if they new 'Kalinka'. One of the men pulled me on to the dance floor, handed me a tambourine and I danced like the gypsies for at least five songs, (read this as 'Chico' said it was time to leave).

SOME THOUGHTS:

There is something magical about being in Rome and I would go back if you 'crossed my palm with silver' so I could play and dance like a gypsy.

©LL