Roman Holiday

Let us hope that Rome's eternal glory never fades, if by eternal you mean warm evening sun cascading down richly colored buildings, or you mean creamy risotto and warm bruschetta dripping with cloudy olive oil, or if you mean epic arts spanning every age of mankind, or you mean an evening piazza stroll with a flowing fountains soundtrack. Rome can certainly beat you down with its chaotic traffic, steep inclines, blazing hot sun and its big city posture. If you don't attempt the see-it-all tourist blitz and instead you take it one coneful of gelato at a time, you'll find Rome is not only manageable, but delightful. On this my third Roman holiday I have finally found a Rome I love.


At the Vatican


Vatican sculpture courtyard


Laocoön


Laocoön




Inside one of many long galleries of the Vatican museum leading to the Sistine Chapel, which you aren't allowed to photograph (the first time I've actually seen this enforced here)


Inside the massive St. Peter's Basilica


St. Peter's Basilica


St. Peter's Basilica


St. Peter's Basilica, above the confessio near the tomb of St. Peter


Touching the foot of St. Peter


Michelangelo's Pietà


St. Peter's Square


Near the Pantheon


Bride and groom showered with risotto, who were just married inside the Pantheon


Trevi Fountain


Trevi Fountain


Borghese Gallery, home to Bernini's masterpieces (and sadly no photography allowed inside)


Potentially the best gelato on the planet, San Crispino aka the patron saint of gelato


Our favorite Roman restaurant, the cheese asparagus risotto was melt-in-your-mouth good!


Coliseum, listening to our handy Rick Steves audio guides


Beneath the arena stage, Coliseum


Coliseum


Overlooking the Roman Forum from the Coliseum


Coliseum


Coliseum


Arch of Constantine between the Coliseum and Roman Forum


The massive wing (yes only one side!) of the ancient Basilica of Constantine in the Roman Forum


Always a possibility for new discoveries, modern day archaeologists on a dig at the Roman Forum


Beware the ides of March! Caesar's altar


Roman Forum


The other contender for the world's best gelato