ROME
ourlodging
Hotel Aberdeen
distancewalked
7.4 Miles
Rome had been on our "visit again" list since being there in 2014. There is so much history to absorb, art to inspire, and architecture to admire. Specifically on this trip, we planned to culminate our search for Michelangelo by finding masterpieces we hadn't seen before. We were also hoping to see the Trevi Fountain in all its glory since the last time it was shut down. There were a couple of other attractions to see during our extra time in Rome after the tour ended.
day15
We arrived in Rome pretty refreshed since we gained an hour of sleep with the end of daylight saving time. I was not aware that Europe was on a different time change schedule than the U.S. until this trip. We were able to check into our hotel early and grab lunch on our own before the group met up with our local guide, Paolo, at the Colosseum.
Our itinerary did not include a tour of the inside of the Colosseum but we had that opportunity on our previous trip to Rome. Paolo gave a fact-filled history lesson on the Flavian Amphitheatre (the actual name of the Colosseum). Then we passed the Arch of Titus on our way into the Roman Forum. On this day, the Forum looked even more ancient under the overcast sky. Everyone was shooed out of the grounds at closing time so we continued on a walk taking in other views of the Roman ruins. We climbed atop the Capitoline Hill to the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by none other than Michelangelo! Earlier, at the Piazza della Repubblica, we got a glimpse of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, the church Michelangelo designed toward the end of his life. Rome already gave us a twofer in our search!
The last stop with our local guide was the well-preserved Pantheon with its Roman and Greek architectural styles. The oculus provides the only natural light into the interior of the Pantheon and allows rain to fall freely inside. Some of the notables buried there include the artist Raphael, King Vittorio Emanuele II, and King Umbert I and his wife, Margherita of Savoy, whom the classic pizza is named after.
We got an evening view of the Fountain of the Four Rivers, shared dinner with many from our group and then headed back to the hotel once we viewed the famous Trevi Fountain with its water flowing. Yay!
First Look at Michelangelo in Rome
today'shighlight
Michelangelo and More Time with Friends
distancewalked
10.5 Miles
day16
Our group took small vans to see the Ruins of Argentina, led by local guide, Alessandra. Then we strolled some of Rome's intriguing backstreets, visited sacred churches and even wandered beneath an Emperor's temple.
Everyone walked to the Fountain of the Four Rivers, where phone cameras clicked all around us. I took pictures from every angle! The sun rays bounced off the wet marble and the deep blue sky was the perfect contrast at midday.
Sarah and Alessandra took us across the Tiber River on the Ponte Sant'Angelo to see the Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel). It became the Papal fortress and legend has it that St. Michael the Archangel appeared on top the structure as a sign of the end of the plague in 590. The castle is now a museum which was closed on that day.
At this point, the group dispersed for a free afternoon. Anxious to spend a little more time with two of the sisters in our group, the four of us climbed the Spanish Steps together and then found an Irish Pub for lunch near the hotel. Later, it was our final search for Michelangelo so off we went!
More Michelangelo in Rome
Michelangelo spent much of his life in Rome and worked under nine popes during his life. He created some of his most famous works in Rome and he died there on February 18, 1564.
ADDITIONAL ROME MEMORIES
While we missed the chance to see Leonardo di Vinci's The Last Supper in Milan, we would at least have one 'last supper' in Rome! Our tour was to end the following morning so, keeping with the Rick Steves' tradition, our circle of friends gathered for one last meal together. We enjoyed fine food, fun and fellowship while sharing our favorite "Wow" moments and giving thanks to our wonderful guide Sarah!
The
last
leaning
tower
we
saw
on
this
trip.
Torre delle Milizie
The Last Supper
bestbuddies
It's not quite time to say, "Arrivederci Roma" but we had to say farewell to our friends.
It was an absolute pleasure making memories with everyone!
It was so enjoyable to be in Rome again and have the chance to see more of its beauty, plus revisit a few of the places we've see before. We had toured the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel before so we did not make arrangements to visit them on this trip. Instead, we extended our stay in Rome a couple of days so we could visit the extensive ruins in Ostia and attend the Pope's General Audience back at the Vatican.
Thank you, Michelangelo! Your masterpieces awed and inspired us along this journey. Perhaps another time we will get the chance to find more of your treasures.