Around Rome

Dot and I had decided to lie in and just relax in the morning.  I took the opportunity of putting up a couple more blog posts as I have got so behind.  Around midday we took the shuttle bus into the city and walked to St Peter’s Square and who should tap me on the shoulder but Dom…. in the whole of Rome, she should notice my silly hat! The three of us walked together for a bit and then Dot and I got on the Hop On Hop Off City bus to see the sights.  It was a very hot day and we seemed to be constantly sitting in traffic hams.  We were very disappointed to find that most of the main interesting pieces of ancient architecture were clad in scaffolding, including the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum.  Finding the Trevi Fountain with a fence around it and no water, we left in disgust and consoled ourselves with a light lunch of pizza and beer in one of those little side street restaurants.  On completion of the City Bus tour, we decided to go in search of some little back street piazzas and came across one full of Italian footie fans just settled to watch the match between Italy and Costa Rica on the outside screen (there was a screen inside too!)  The atmosphere was so special we decided to join them and bought ourselves a Spritz each.  The Italians are very passionate about their football so it was as entertaining for us to watch them as they watched their favourite team playing on the big screen….. sadly they lost but I think there may be another opportunity for them when I am in Florence.

Later as it became cooler and more comfortable, we walked across the River Tiber towards Spanish Steps.  It was so pleasant just keeping to the cobbled pedestrian areas and piazzas.  We sat down every so often beside a fountain or on a stone bench in a square and then finally on the flight of Spanish steps, before heading towards the Metro to take us back to Plus Roma.

NOTE: Beware, don’t be jostled on the Metro in Rome, or for that matter on any city transport….. keep your valuables close to you!