Round about Rome

We decided to get up early to start our walk about Rome. First, the free hotel breakfast which we had heard is great and maybe you can take an item or two to eat later. Well thank Covid for that being a thing of the past. A very stern server holds a plate and asks you want you want as she puts it on the plate. No touching! 

It still tasted good but it was difficult to say “please can I have some more”. 

Eggs, bacon and toast hit the spot! 

Off we went looking at ruins and more. 

The ruins of the Forum. So amazing what was built 2,000 years ago.

Around every corner there is another monument. Here is one to Victor Emmanuel II, first king of unified Italy.

And closer up, some very strong men. 

And us.

Not a sunny day but little rain and a great for walking

The Pine trees along the street look so exotic.

And their bark is like a painting.

Our next stop was to find the Biggest Flea Market in Rome! And we did! It was over 2 km long held Sunday mornings in the Trastevere neighbourhood.  Mary got a long-sleeved striped top for just 2 euros. Amazing!!

Crowds and crowds of people. And selling everything from bras to books to old guns. Mostly there were clothes and shoes.

We decided to wear our masks since sometimes you could barely move along for the other shoppers all around.

A little entertainment from a brass band.

Can you tell which one is not like the others? Trick photo from the day before, from Schiphol airport.

Onwards to find some lunch, following the Tiber River.

The Opere Caffe with only 3 tables was perfect lunch.

Being seniors we shared.

Next on to the Vatican!! To get there we walked past so many cafes in the Trastevere. Being Sunday lots of families were having lunch and strolling about.

Norm looking at the bridge again also named after Vittorio Emmanuel II.

On the last Sunday of the month the Vatican is free. So many people lined up to see. Not for us this time. 

And now the Vatican.

People were kneeling at puddles to take photos. They would reflect the Vatican. Thought about it and decided …. Maybe not! 

No Pope but this is St Peter’s Square and the basilica, which is really impressive. Quite amazing world HQ for a religious organization.

Lots of columns and I think saints on top. 

And one human below.

We headed home and realized we had walked 15.84 kms today. But how could we resist a church on our way. This is Saint Andrew Basilica. So impressive. 

The alter 

This is taken looking in a mirror that shows the ceiling 

Check our afternoon snack. Perroni Italian beer, a Coke and potato chips. Yes Maureen they have ripple chips her, described as “rustica.”

Since Italians eat later than our dinner time, pizza is on our menu at 8pm! 

We ate at a wood fired oven for Roman pizza! 

And we ate it all, no left overs. I added the olives to mine, even better. 

And of course red wine! 

When in Rome….