We had to be ready for anything for our golf cart tour. The angels were bowling all night and a few strikes woke us up. 💥
We couldn’t get a taxi to the meeting point. Luckily the gentleman at the front desk said cross the street and take the #46 bus. Easy squeezy.
Our friends are ready to meet our guide and so far no rain.
He’s late so we’ll grab a coffee
During the tour, we’ll have the opportunity to admire Rome’s most iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona, among others. The best part was driving around Rome in what felt like a video game. Cars, bikes, buses and motorcycles everywhere.
First stop the Pantheon built in 27AD. The Pantheon is remarkable for its size, its construction, and its design. Until modern times, the dome was the largest built, measuring about 142 feet (43 metres) in diameter and rising to a height of 71 feet (22 metres) above its base. There is no external evidence of brick arch support inside the dome, except in the lowest part, and the exact method of construction has never been determined
Quick stop at St Ignatius
Next up Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain, fountain in Rome that is considered a late Baroque masterpiece and is arguably the best known of the city’s numerous fountains. It was designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. According to legend, those who toss coins into its waters will return to Rome.
It worked because I threw a coin in 30+ years ago and I returned to Roma.
Everyone knows this beauty, the Colosseum, a giant amphitheater built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. Construction of the Colosseum was begun sometime between 70 and 72 BC during the reign of Vespians.
The Colosseum was designed as a freestanding structure, unlike earlier amphitheaters that were typically built into hillsides for support. It featured a system of barrel vaults and groin vaults, which allowed it to rise to a height of four stories. The exterior was adorned with three levels of arcades, each framed by columns in the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, respectively. This arrangement of columns later influenced renaissance architecture. The Colosseum’s oval shape measured 620 feet by 513 feet (189 meters by 156 meters), with a seating capacity of around 60,000 spectators.
We stopped at the top (not sure why) of the Spanish Steps. Might have to visit them again before we leave…
Golf cart tour is over so we asked him to drop us off at a place known for fabulous paninis.
Long lines but worth it
We waddled to Piazza Navona
And did a bit of posing…
Tummy’s full and we made it through the day with NO rain 💥
Time for a lil nap and we’ll catch up later. We walked to the bus stop and took the 46 back up the hill.
Kathleen & Rick saw another Gatto on the steps…we keep missing them
We met later for dinner and after had to say goodbye to our sweet travel buddies. They’re on their way home.
We left the restaurant and them and were pounded with rain on the way back to Casa Bonus Pastor. It was a flood down the stairs
But we made it back drenched
It’s all good…tomorrow we tour the Vatican
