25 Search Results for ""trevi fountain""

• Trevi Fountain

  • From: allaffordtravel
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    The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the center piece to of the small Trevi square, at the intersection of Via del Lavatore and Via della Stamparia. We “stumbled” on the fountain on our walk from the Piazza Barberini and its famed Fontana del Tritone. This is the joy of Rome. Walking down side streets and exploring the ancient city; especially if it’s your first time in the city.

    Because of it fame and beauty, this small square can be jammed packed with tourists. But don’t let that stop you from going. Squeeze in on the steps and spend time gazing at a true wonder. Enjoy watching the people too. The fountain area draws a diverse crowd of people.

    Before you leave you must perform one ritual. With you back to the fountain, toss a coin over your shoulder. According to legend, this assures your return to Rome. We have been back five times.

    For the best deals on discount travel, airfare, hotels, cruises, condos, and villas, visit All Afford Travel.

    For a terrific discount travel membership this site and click on video number two. Discount Travel Membership.

  • 1 week ago
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• Trevi Fountain in Rome 2009

  • From: joyhiker1
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  • 1 week ago
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• Europe - A Recap

  • From: traveljunkiejess
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    So I have been meaning to post a recap of my Europe trip pretty much since I got back. Partly because everyone who knows that we went ask me "So how was your trip to Europe" and I am sick of my lame response of "Good" and secondly because I love coming on here and reading my previous blogs because it always brings me back to that time or event in which I wrote about. A 21st century diary or sorts...... without all the angst...... ok maybe some.
    

    Anywhoo this is not for the skittish reader as it is lengthy.

    
    

    London – Jaron and I were so jet legged from flying over and not sleeping the night before so when we got in around 10am (4hours later then what we should have) that we just passed out until around 5pm. We then walked around and went to a pub and had a very English dinner and drinks and then took in some of London ’s McDonald’s deserts. FYI: They do not mix their McFlurries and they put things like chocolate covered rice crispies in them. Good - but different. The next day we then met our group and were able to just take in some sight seeing. The weather was really nice, no snow at all and probably around 60+ degrees so we got lunch and ate in the park. We then went to the London equivalent of Times Square and had dinner at this crazy Russian place. The restaurant made me feel like we fell through the rabbit’s hole in Alice in Wonderland. That is the only way that I can really explain the décor and feeling. We saw Buckingham Palace (however no Prince William or Prince Harry) and Big Ben at night and started adding to our list of foreign public transportation services that we have now endured.

    Amsterdam – was all that anyone ever thinks Amsterdam is and more. We went to coffee shops, the red light district, the blue light district (that is where the trannies reside) a sex show (saw a girl smoke a cigar with here whoo ha…. No joke), the Anne Frank Museum – which is her house/annex where they were hiding (so amazing and emotional), saw the original Starry Night (my all time favorite painter is Van Gogh so of course I went to the official Van Gogh museum I also found out that technically his name is pronounced Van GOFF not Van GO), we also took in the Heineken museum and proceeded to get buzzed fairly early in the day, before 11am from the free beer that we got, we also went to a clog shop in the country and cruised the canals through the city. I love Amsterdam and want to live there. There is so much more to talk about here but some things are better left for one on one conversation ;)

    Berlin – History galore!!! Saw the Berlin Wall or at least what is still left around. Took a walking tour of the city and saw major Nazi area’s including where Hitler killed himself. There were some great memorials for the Jews of the war and it was very moving. Germans consider their history to be their dark shadow……. They can never escape it, it will always follow them but they can strive to make the future better. We also saw the first concentration camp which was very surreal. It is crazy to think that so much suffering went on and the horrible conditions that they must have been under. Ugh!

    Prague – Beautiful city. It was so colorful. All the buildings are different pastel colors and very ornate and it has been kept up so well that it all looks new. We went to a Salvador Dali exhibit as well as an Andy Warhol exhibit which was really cool. Took a lunch cruise through the city and scoured the markets for trinkets. We then went to this restaurant that had a beer tap in the middle of the table. You then could feel up your glass and drink as much as you wanted. There was a big TV that was keeping score of every table and you were in competition with everyone. I got a really good buzz from that place and never had to pee so much. However we were nothing compared to the Aussie tables. They can put them down.
    

    Munich – Very fun and cool city. We took a tour through the city on cruiser bikes. I loved the bike so much that I got a cruiser for my birthday this year. I was the “butt babe” which pretty much meant that I stayed towards the end of the group and made sure that no one lagged behind. We went to the biggest beer hall in the world and had many of beers. We also went to an original beer hall where families still have their own tables and thousands of people can fit in. Munich goes crazy for Oktoberfest! I had a pickled pork knuckle and an awesome lemonade beer as well as had my first try of ‘snuff’ which is a tobacco that you sniff up your nose. It is awesome.

    On the way to Venice we stopped in Tyrol and went to the original Swarovski Crystal shop. They had a whole room completely covered in crystals – Winter Wonderland and it was very surreal.

    Italy –
    

    ***** Now quickly there are a few things that no one knows about Italy until you go there and it is pretty nuts. Firstly, they don’t give a fuck!!! They know that people will come to Italy even if everyone tells them that it sucks because, hey… it is Italy . They are very rude, they do not use salt in their bread so it is like eating cardboard, it is very expensive, theft is crazy over there so you must be on guard at all times, they charge an exhorbinent amount to use the toilet – However this is not just an Italy thing. In Europe most countries will charge you to pee however it is never very much and the money goes to keeping the facilities clean and nice however that rule does not apply to Italy . (I think I paid one time around the equivalent of $2 American dollars to pee in a very dirty bathroom and they do not have toilet seats, it is just the bowl. It was truly frightening) Also they have hidden dining fees. Firstly they charge you for utensils. They also charge you to sit outside as well as a service fee of usually around 15%. Also they do not tell you this and they will try and hide that unless you come straight out and ask “Do you have a service fee??” And by service fee I do not mean the tip. I mean your food, utensils, service fee, then tip!! These were things that we had no idea about however now stating that I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about my feelings on Italy . I absolutely loved Italy and think that everyone should go and see the massive history there. It is just nice to know what you are in for. It is very exhausting, a definite culture shock for sure. ***********

    Venice – Everything that you think of when you think of Venice is true. It is fucking gorgeous and like a dream. The weather was amazing when we went, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful day. You can walk the whole island in like 20 minutes and we circled it many times. We went to a lace school and purchased a Venetian table cloth and napkins for my mom and saw a glass blower work and make a beautiful piece of art. We then did the cliché canal ride which was beyond compare. It was so much fun and you could bring whatever you wanted on the gondola with you so we bought an original bottle of Bellini (the peach drink that is now sold at Olive Garden was invented in Venice by a man named….. you guessed it something Bellini!!) and took that with us to drink. The city is so gorgeous that it almost looks fake. I ate gelato pretty much three times a day when I was in Italy and had to have pizza!! We did a lot of people watching and just meandering around the city. We then had an amazing Venice dinner that consisted of many different courses of pasta and seafood and salad and a lot of wine.

    Rome – Oh Geez!! So much and there can never really be enough time! We started with a huge tour around the city taking in the Spanish Steps and the Piazza Venezia. I drank out of the Trevi Fountain – which was delicious and said to bring you fertility!! We then went into a crypt that a priest had made hundreds of years ago out of deceased priests body parts. It was very eerie. Every piece of bone was used to make very beautiful and hauntingly creepy mosaics that lined everything from the walls, ceilings, floors, everything. There was not a bare wall in the place. We then went into the Pantheon and saw first hand the amazing architectural abilities of the Romans. We took in so many churches and shrines in Europe and in Italy in general that it is hard to keep them all straight. We checked out the Colosseum at night and walked the first ever street made in the world. Also popped in on the Pope (well not really he was traveling at the time) in Vatican City at night and ate outside on the side streets of Rome . In the morning we got a private guided tour inside ‘Old Rome’ and inside of the Colossuem. Old Rome is like 10 feet below the street level of New Rome because they just believe on building on top of the city. That is why the subway for Italy only runs around the city because anywhere they go to dig in the center of the city they are just going to end up excavating the previous Rome . Then we actually went to the Vatican and walked through the city as well as the church where the Pope presides, saw the tombs of all the old Popes. saw St. Peters Basilica, and saw the Sistine Chapel!! Also we visited the “Mouth of Truth” that is in Roman Holiday. You are supposed to put your hand in and think of something. If it is a lie it is supposed to bite your hand off. I still have my hand so all is well, however our feet hurt so bad from walking the city to try and see everything that it felt like they had been bit. I am sure I am forgetting something really momentous but oh well.

    On our way to Florence we stopped in Pisa . Nothing really in Pisa except that one leaning tower!! So of course we acted like stupid American tourist and did the obligatory pictures such as the holding the tower up, leaning against the tower, heaving the tower on your back and some people even did the leaning tower of penis. Propping it just so to where it looks very impressive. I tried to get Jaron to do it but he wouldn’t. I also purchased a very cute purple bogus Prada purse from some African/Italian counterfeit gangsters. I was able to get them down a lot too, they wanted 50 Euros and I got them down to 20 Euros! But by doing the simple act of purchasing I was then mobbed by about another 20 or so selling various shit.
    

    Florence – Here was the only time that it rained on our trip. And it wasn’t just a little rain. It was a lot of rain. It soaked through my waterproof Columbia jacket and proceed to get everyone as wet as possible. Again we turned to gypsies for needed umbrellas and went along with our day. This also happened to be the day of our mandatory group picture that was outside. We were all soaked. We did however check out a Florence leather company ( Florence is now for its amazing leather) to try and stay dry. Because it was raining the lines to get into museums were horrendous. We waited to see the statue of David outside for probably two hours. It was however worth it. The statue is amazing and also a lot bigger then I had expected. In more ways then one ;) We then took in some amazing views of the city on our way through the Tuscan Hills for our Tuscan dinner where we got serenaded by two Italian opera singers and were also forced to dance by some of our tour mates.You know who you are.
    

    Lucerne – This was a nice rest from the crazy hussle and bussle of Italy . Switzerland is very clean, orderly, and polite. It was a nice change. The Swiss are very into three things. Chocolate – Watches – & Swiss Army Knives. You can find stores for these 3 things everywhere!! The chocolate is amazing, the watches blow your mind, and they are not messing around with those knives. You are prepared for anything and then some. We just kind of wandered around. We took in some Swiss Fondue and a show which was cool and Jaron was forced to get up on stage and blow one of those huge horns from the Ricola commercials. Apparently it is harder then it looks. His prize……. A Ricola! Then a man dressed in a cow costume came out and ran through the crowds. It was odd, but fun.

    Paris – Another amazing city. We got in and promptly went around all the major sites such as Napoleons tomb, the Arc de Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower, and the Champs Elysees . Later on in the evening a big group of us went back to the Eiffel Tower and waited so that we could go up it in the night. It is truly beautiful at night and very glittery and romantic. It is a hell of a lot higher then I thought and even for me who does not have a huge fear of heights it was still pretty scary. In the morning we got up early and headed to the Louvre via the subway and underground entrance. I almost had a drunken Parisian fall on me but somehow made it. I ran to see the Mona Lisa as soon as the museum opened and got to enjoy that without a huge crowd of people. We then just meandered through and took in the crazy opulence of the royal palace that is now the Louvre. Checked out the gravesite of Jim Morrison of ‘The Doors’ as well as Oscar Wilde’s gravesite and Chopin. The cemetery was really old and creepy and some looked as though they had been graved robbed. However it was ironically enough very beautiful and comforting. We then headed back and got ready for our dinner show at the Moulin Rouge. There are no words for this show. It was amazing and vibrant and just plain incredible. At one point a see through tank of water comes up through the stage and a scantily clad girl dances inside the water with a huge cobra!! A great way to end the tour.

    New York City - Then we headed back to the US but had an overnight stay in NYC. I almost threw up in the back of a taxi from all the stop and go craziness. My friend Aimee graciously put us up at her place and pointed us on the right subway so Jaron could see the Statue of Liberty. We got there first thing in the morning and went inside the statue. It was cool because I was unable to do that when I went in 2003 with Ali & Christine. It was so windy however that we could lean forward and the wind would hold us up. In NYC I was happy to again be able to have Starbucks and all Jaron wanted to do was have some NYC street pizza. We also stumbled upon a protest that was going in front of Wall Street in regards to all the bonuses CEO’s got even though their companies had received bailouts. So that was unexpected. Then off again to be home.

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  • 2 weeks ago
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• Trevi Fountain as the light co

  • From: verdoonie
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  • 4 weeks ago
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• trevi fountain

  • From: enjyl
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  • 1 month ago
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• ROME trevi fountain figure

  • From: shattman
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  • 3 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain

  • From: albertpaul27
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    This are a few pictures from my Rome trip.

  • 3 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain lights

  • From: albertpaul27
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    This are a few pictures from my Rome trip.

  • 3 months ago
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• Colorful Cravats at Trevi Foun

  • From: Dick
  • Description:

    Taken at a men's shop adjacent to Rome's Trevi Fountain.  I love vivid colors, sights that make me smile, and images not typically found in travel literature.  These bright ties made me giggle.  They still do.

  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 163

• Trevi Fountain in Rome Italy

  • From: dmg33
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    Trevi Fountain in Rome Italy

  • 3 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain

  • From: Cthomson462
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  • 4 months ago
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• Refreashing Fountain Water

  • From: traveljunkiejess
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    We were told by our tour guide that it if you drank out of this fountain that it would bring you fertility. I had a drink, and it was delicious. No baby yet though!

  • 5 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain

  • From: rl999
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  • 6 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain Rome, Italy

  • From: noreensfl
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  • 6 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain

  • From: gregandkrista
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  • 6 months ago
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• That's Amore: Our Italian Adv

  • From: blairherzog
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    To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of our first date, my husband and I took a trip we'd long talked about but never gotten around to planning - a journey to Italy.  It was difficult deciding which areas of Italy to see, but we finally chose the Cinque Terre, Tuscany, and Rome.  To say our trip surpassed my wildest dreams would be an understatement.  Welcome to our Italian adventure!

    The Charming Cinque Terre

    After flying into Milan, it took several trains to reach the Cinque Terre (which means Five Lands), but it was completely worth venturing off the beaten path to visit this quaint, charming, and friendly coastal area of Italy.  The Cinque Terre consists of five small hillside towns that each looks like it's literally spilling into the ocean.  The towns have all been in existence since Medieval times and have the ancient lookout towers and historic stone churches to prove it.  The shops are quaint, the people are friendly, and the views are breathtaking.  We especially enjoyed just roaming the streets, as well as the twisting stairs and alleyways (which also qualify as streets in a place as old as the towns of the Cinque Terre,) taking pictures of lovely archways and windows, and watching the locals hanging their laundry out as they conversed from window to window.

    Getting Around the Cinque Terre

    Don't expect taxis here, and whatever you do, don't plan on renting a car.  In the Cinque Terre, there are three options: trains, hiking, and boats (although boats may not be available year round.)  Oceanside trails passing through olive groves and terraced vineyards connect the five towns of Monterossa, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore and are a lovely way to travel - but be warned, the trails get progressively more difficult the farther north you go.  So, based on your hiking ability, we advise hiking between the more southern towns and taking the train between the northern towns.  We used the low-priced Cinque Terre Treno Card, which admits you to both the trails and the trains.  And we sometimes found the train schedules difficult to follow in the Cinque Terre, so when arriving at the station, we advise asking a clerk when the next train to your destination is due.  Overall, the trains are a pretty easy way to hop between the towns if you choose not to hike or tire of it.

    Where To Stay in the Cinque Terre

    We chose to make the town of Manarola our home base.  It's the least touristy of the towns and we found our hotel, the Ca' d'Andrean simple but perfect for our stay.  It's a steep walk up the hill with luggage, but worth it for the view of lemon trees and terraced hillside gardens out our shuttered window each morning.  The staff here was especially helpful in mapping out future parts of our trip.  For nice, clean accommodations, we highly recommend the Hotel Ca' d'Andrean.

    While Manarola was our favorite, when we visit the Cinque Terre again, we will gladly consider staying in any of the other towns.

     

    Highlights of our Time in the Cinque Terre

     

    We found something truly unique and delightful at every turn in the Cinque Terre, so it's hard to narrow it down, but here are a few faves:

    1. The quaint, bustling Riomaggiore waterfront
    2. The especially charming Medieval streets of Corniglia (pronounced Cornelia, by the way)
    3. The view of Vernazza from the trail leading to Monterosso
    4. The ancient monastery high atop Monterosso

    Cinque Terre Fun Facts

    1. Cat lovers rejoice: Cats are plentiful in the Cinque Terre - you will see them everywhere you go, including on the trails.
    2. Residents of the Cinque Terre towns are more likely to own a boat than a car.
    3. Before the 20th century, each town was so isolated that most people married residents of their own tiny community.

    Finding Romance in the Cinque Terre

    Romance was pretty much everywhere here, but here are a few tips for romantic moments with your significant other:

    1. Look out over the Mediterranean by moonlight from Manarola's "vineyard walk."
    2. Dine on Vernazza's waterfront Piazza Marconi
    3. Stroll between Manarola and Riomaggiore on the wide promenade of the Via dell'Amore - the "walk of love."

    If you want to stop and smell the roses - or the sweet scents of lemon trees and lavender in the air - schedule some time for the Cinque Terre in your trip to Italy. We spent only two and a half days there and wished we'd had more time to simply soak up the slow-paced seaside charm of this traditional slice of Italy. Italian charm at its best.

    Under the Tuscan Sun

    From the Cinque Terre, we took the train to LaSpezia, where we rented a car. Warning: Driving a car in any sizable Italian city is a challenge when you can't read the signs and don't know the general rules and customs of the road. But once you get out of the city into more rural areas, driving is fine.

    Our plan to drive through Tuscany, hitting as many hill towns as possible along the way, worked out well. We spent two days meandering the twisting roads across rolling gold and green hills, stopping to soak up Medieval history along the way. It was amazing to be driving along and suddenly see an ancient fortified city appear in the distance.

    Where to Stay in Tuscany

    We made our home base at the Castel Bigossi, a lovely thousand-year-old castle in the heart of Tuscany near the fort town of Monteriggioni. It was off the beaten path, but we enjoyed the drive through the countryside, dotted with still more historic towns, each time we returned there. The exterior and grounds of the Castel Bigossi were lovely - the perfect Tuscan postcard - and the staff was friendly, talkative, and helpful. The interior was an unusual mix of modernity (spiral staircases and an elevator) and history (ancient wood beams on the ceiling of our bedroom) and all the rooms in the castel are spacious suites - more room than we needed, but we didn't mind. This would be a great place to stay for a longer visit than the two nights we spent there.

    Other thoughts on accommodations: Tuscany also boasts many agriturismos - these are working farms that also provide bed-and-breakfast type accommodations. And if you're more of a city person, all the hill towns offer rooms, as well.

    Getting Around Tuscany by Car

    Like I said above, once you're away from traffic, driving is a breeze, but be warned: Italian street signs and American street signs differ greatly. In Italy, roads are not marked with any sort of name or number, so it's hard to tell where you are most of the time, even when following a map. You are instead guided by arrows that point the way to the nearest town in any direction, and these tend to appear in groups at the frequent roundabouts.

    Also, be prepared for crazy drivers who will merrily pass on blind curves and motorcycle riders who consider it perfectly acceptable to pass between two cars without a lane. Our advice: Drive safely and normally, but be on guard.

    Medieval Hill towns Aplenty

    The Tuscan landscape is dotted with lots of Medieval hill towns, each with its own personality. Meandering through these places was fascinating not only because we were walking streets and seeing buildings that have been there for nearly a thousand years, but also because these are all still thriving communities where people live and work. Wandering the stone streets and piazzas, I expected to see knights in shining armor come riding up on horseback any minute.

    It would be difficult to see all the hill towns in the region (yes, there are that many,) so we picked a few that sounded especially appealing based on guidebooks and advice from our hotel staff. A few of our favorites were:

    1. Montepulciano: This is a must for wine-lovers, but even without being into wine, we enjoyed the Medieval sights here a great deal. We spent time hanging out at the large Piazza Grande with its unfinished Duomo, built around 1600.
    2. San Gimignano: Fabulous Medieval architecture, including fourteen remaining watch towers, some dating from the 10th century. And if that's not enough for you, this town also boasts the World's Best Gelato in 2006, 2007, and 2008 at the Pluripremaia Geleteria
    3. Montalcino: What made Montalcino outstanding for us was the fabulous castle-like fortezza (that's a fort) built in the 14th century. Dark clouds looming overhead while we were there made it appear particularly eerie.

    Note: As hill towns go, Siena is the largest in the region and pretty much considered a must-see. Personally, we were disappointed by how modern and commercialized even the historic part of town is (Foot Lockers and other American mall-type stores lined the stone streets.) But it's still worth a stop for the stunning Duomo, dating from 1215, and the huge Piazza Il Campo where a wild, no-rules horse race is run every July and August.

    But Back to the Rolling Tuscan Hillsides

     

    We made a small project out of locating some of the best-known postcard views of Tuscany's cypress-lined roads - a task made more difficult by the lack of road signs. However, before leaving home, we Googled on the topic and found other travelers' notes on how to reach some of these scenic spots. Finding them felt like a special victory! But with or without them, we came home with countless pictures of fields teeming with red poppies, villas flanked by vineyards, and some lovely cypress-lined roads we stumbled across on our own.

    Note: As we traveled the winding roads that criss-cross Tuscany, we were kept company by the abundance of American music on the radio - everything from Dionne Warwick to Bruce Springsteen to Green Day.

    Finding Romance in Tuscany

    Romance is pretty easy to find in Tuscany, too, but here are some recommendations:

    1. Enjoy in the stunning view from the walls of Montepulciano over a glass of their famous wine.
    2. Stroll the quiet town of Volterra after dark.
    3. Take a lazy drive along cypress-lined roads, delighting in fields of wild poppies, Italian villas, and ancient fortresses.

    Tuscany is a must-see for those who enjoy lovely, rolling landscapes. The rich Medieval history and striking hill towns are wonderful perks to this region teeming with romantic ambience.

    All Roads Lead to Rome

    All roads may lead to Rome, but here's a tip: leave your rental car at the airport and take the train into the city. Even that was a bit of a challenge - remember, Italians don't seem to value signage as much as we do in America - but it was still by far the best choice.

    You can look at Rome in two ways: it's a zoo or it's a party. Choose the party attitude and you'll have a much better time. This large, busy city seemed to have as many pedestrians as cars, and it was usually unclear who had the right of way, especially on small streets left over from older times.

    Getting Around Rome

    To walk or take the train around town? It's a toss-up. Rome is a walking city, but things are often farther away than they appear and you can put many a mile on your sneakers by day's end. On the other hand, some of the subway terminals were confusing to navigate and had broken ticket machines, or they were far enough out of the way that it just seemed simpler to walk.

    The streets are confusing - remember, this is a very old city, full of twists and turns. Our advice: Follow the signs toward major landmarks and don't be frustrated if you get lost. On one particular evening, after listening to street musicians for a while at the popular Piazza Navonna, we started the twisting trek toward our hotel, following signs and making good progress - we thought - until, about fifteen minutes later, we emerged right back onto the Piazza Navonna. We just looked at each other and cracked up laughing.

    Where to Stay

    We made our home in Rome the LaResidenzia Hotel, near the Via Venetta, a major thoroughfare. Despite the fact that two lap dance clubs sit directly across the street from the hotel, we were very happy with our choice - which is to say we never really saw any traffic at the clubs and they seemed very quiet. Like our other Italian accommodations, the staff was knowledgeable and friendly. Sitting areas in the lobby were spacious and elegant, our room was nice with lots of storage and a turn-down service, and a pretty good breakfast buffet was included in the price of the room.

    Ancient Rome - Walking Through History

    If you're a history lover, this is why you're here. We loved the Colesseum and the Forum, as well as Palatine Hill (where many Roman rulers built their palaces.) Our advice: It's worth it to pay for the tours here. Not only do you get good, interesting information along the way, if you enter with a tour, you bypass the long lines to get in.

    We spent a couple of hours roaming around the Colesseum, and more time outside, just taking pictures and enjoying the ambience of the area. As this was a sight I'd only dreamed of seeing, it felt almost surreal to actually be there. I had the same reaction to the Roman Forum and enjoyed knowing I was walking the same paths Julius Caesar and so many other historic figures had traveled. I found myself wanting to take a picture at every step to be sure I captured it all, and I truly felt the impact of being in the cradle of modern Western civilization.

    Roaming Around Rome

    Of course, there's much more to see here than just the ancient ruins. We enjoyed sitting on the Spanish steps, hanging out at the Trevi Fountain, touring the Pantheon (an amazing piece of ancient architecture,) and taking in the views from the Victor Immanuel Monument (although not as famous as some stops in Rome, you can't miss it on your way to the Colesseum - it's an enormous building that looks like a giant wedding cake.)

    Rome is filled with countless piazzas - or town squares - both great and small, and each has it's own personality. Some are large, sporting numerous cafes, shops, fountains, and street artists, while others are smaller and less busy. It was fun to be walking along a narrow street and suddenly exit into another new piazza and see what it had to offer.

    Adventures at the Vatican

    How many people can say they've been kicked out of St. Peter's Basilica? I don't know, but we are now among that number. More to come on that in a moment.

    First, some facts. This is another place where it's wise to pay extra and enter with a tour group - it cut our wait considerably and we truly got a lot out of the tour. Also, you must where clothing that covers your shoulders and knees to be admitted to St. Peter's Basilica.

    Our tour covered St. Peter's Square, the Basilica, and the Vatican museum, including the Sistine Chapel. Upon entering the Basilica, we'd barely gotten started when an angry man approached our tour guide and began yelling at her in Italian. She reported that we were being thrown out because he didn't believe we were a real tour group and that she'd bring us back later. Weird but true, and we never did really understand what happened there. But on with the show.

    We were, honestly, a little let down by the Sistine Chapel, which I'd long looked forward to seeing. It's an amazing piece of art, yes, but the ceiling is higher than I'd envisioned, so it's really pretty difficult to see. The whole room was packed with people craning their necks to try to take it in, which made everyone prone to bumping into each other. Plus you can't take pictures (understandable) and you can't talk (less understandable.)

    After the chapel, it was back to the church, but we had to pretend we were not a tour group. (Again, confusing, I know.) But we enjoyed the un-tour of the basilica and were taken aback by the scope and size. Particularly notable items in the church: the famous Pieta by Michelangelo, the enormous canopy marking the (official but who knows) burial spot of St. Peter, and a statue of St. Peter to which, tradition holds, one should hold onto the toe, make three wishes, and they will come true.

    One nice thing about being kicked out of St. Peter's Basilica: when we returned, hours had passed, and the sun shone through small windows in the dome, casting a heavenly glow on the floor, which made for amazing photos.

    A Few Tips for Your Time in Rome

    1. You can sit on Roman ruins in the Forum and Colesseum - they are so plentiful that they are literally set about to be used like park benches - but whatever you do, don't sit on the ground near the Trevi Fountain (policemen blew a loud whistle in my ear for this and looked at me as if I'd knowingly committed a heinous crime.) And definitely don't sit anywhere inside the Victor Immanuel Monument, where you will also be firmly chastised by a whistle-wielding guard.
    2. Hungry for a taste of home? McDonald's are everywhere in Rome, and we happened to visit what might be the fanciest one on earth - a two-story affair complete with marble stairs, replicas of famous Roman statues, and a separate gelato bar, dessert bar, and breakfast bar in addition to the normal counter.
    3. Need to use the bathroom? In Rome - and everywhere else in Italy - it's wise to carry some toilet paper or (as I opted for) individually packaged Wet Ones. Toilet paper just isn't a hot commodity there. And be prepared to find yourself squatting over a hole in the ground - which, oddly enough (to us Americans anyway,) usually come complete with fiberglass inserts around the hole, so that it's not dirty, but it's quite awkward and just makes you ask: Why? In Rome, we often took advantage of McDonald's bathrooms - they weren't the cleanest, but we knew we'd at least get a commode.
    4. Want to drink a Coke? Your best bet - again - is McDonald's. At gelato shops or bars (in Italy, a bar is what we think of as a quickie mart crossed with a snack stand or deli) you'll usually pay the equivalent of $3 or $4 for a 20 ounce bottle, and should you be unfortunate enough to be thirsty near the ancient sites, you may pay up to $8 at a portable concession stand.

    Finding Romance in Rome

    Rome is busier and a bit more challenging in ways, but you still need not look far for romance here:

    1. Toss a coin over your shoulder in the Trevi Fountain and it's said you will return to Rome.
    2. Share a bicycle built for two at the city's largest park, the Villa Borghese
    3. Share a bottle of wine on the Spanish Steps, then stroll the city as dusk turns to night. The Forum and Colesseum are particularly striking to behold at nightfall.

    Ah, Rome. Two-thousand years of history and culture and architecture. It's a lot to take in, but it would be a crime to visit Italy without fully embracing it's exciting, bustling capital.

    Ciao!

    We travel a lot, but our trip to Italy was truly the romantic adventure of a lifetime.

    Final tip: Take your time exploring romantic Italy, and eat a lot of gelato because it's just not as good at home, no matter what anyone says.

     

     

     

     

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• AN AMAZING MONTH IN ITALY

  • From: juve1040
  • Description:

    My husband and I spent the month of May in Italy. Being of Italian decent I was truly excited but the fact that I had done lots of geneology work and had found the village where my grandmother was born was an added bonus. Before leaving the States, I made arrangements and hired an English speaking driver and a car to take me to my village in the small commune called Albano de Lucania.

    We decided to do two tours with Cosmos. The first tour started and ended in Rome. What a magical city!! I could spend many days there and still be fascinated. Such history. It is amazing to stand inside the Colosseum after viewing it so often in various movies. We did all the touristy things, i.e. The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square and the Roman Forum.

    We moved South and visited Naples. At this point, our driver was to pick us up for the 2 1/2 hour drive to Albano. He was terrific...almost as excited as I was at the prospect of visiting the village. The people at the municipal building went our of their way to help me. I give them the street address and they brought me to the small building where my grandmother was born. I was overwhelmed!!!! When we returned to the municipal building, I received another amazing piece of information. They told me that I had cousins living in the next town and that they had called them and told them we would be going to see them. We drove to this town called Vaglio and we were greeted by these wonderful people. They couldn't have been nicer and they made us feel welcome in their home. It was truly a marvelous day for me and for them also as the tears flowed from us all. Unfortunately we had to leave, but we have been in touch since then.

    Italy is intriging. There are so many marvelous sights to see. Sorrento, Pompeii with its preserved homes. Our overnight cruise to Palermo and the Valley of Temples in Agrigento. Then to Syracuse to the 5th century BC Greek Theatre and to Taormina. What a beautiful place. High up on a mountain top with spectacular views.

    It would take pages for me to tell you everything about the places we visited and the wonderful Italian people that we met everywhere. Places like Agrigento, Syracuse, Matera and wonderful Alberobello with their unique cone shaped homes called Trulli.

    We ended the first tour in Rome and visited the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and of course did lots of shopping. Then onward to Pisa and the Leaning Tower and Florence to visit the amazing statue of David.

    Next we were on our way to Milan, Lugano and Lake Maggiore. This area is so beautiful, it is hard to put into words. We visited Isola Bella, a privately owned Island with a barque palace and gardens full of peacocks.Saying goodbye to Lake Maggiore, we headed to Verona and after that to Venice. Yes, it is as beautiful as they say. More so perhaps. St. Marks Square, the Doges' Palance and of course the famous Bridge of Sighs. We couldn't miss the Murano Glass blowers either as well as lunch at Harry's Restaurant and my favorite, our gondola ride!

    We stopped in Ravenna and then to Assisi. Since we had missed the excursion to Capri (that was the day I found my relatives) we had another opportunity to visit that wonderful Isle and to spend another night in Sorrento, one of my many favorite cities.

    On the way back to Rome we visited the Abbey of Montecassino which was another wonderous place.

    Condensing a month into this short description is no easy task. I am sure many folks have gone to Italy and enjoyed it as much as we did, but the extra bonus of seeing the home of your grandmother and finding cousins to boot, cannot be beaten. So we said "Arrivederci Roma" for now. I do expect to return one day. After all, I threw my coins in the fountain!!

    

     

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• IMG_0605.JPG

  • From: juve1040
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  • 1 year ago
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• Roman Galdiator with Cell Phon

  • From: hermitisland2006
  • Description:
    This photo was taken near the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The contrast between old and new intrigues me.
  • 1 year ago
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• Modern Gladiator at the Trevi

  • From: hermitisland2006
  • Description:
    Modern Gladiator at the Trevi Fountain. Rome, Italy
  • 1 year ago
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