Meet our delectable private tour guide, Massimo…sparkling white teeth, crisp white shirt, Gucci loafers, rather cute… board the big black van, get thrown i
nto chaotic traffic and arrive intact at the foot of the magnificent Vittoriano or National Monumento, dedicated to the fallen soldier, one of the newest buildings in Rome, opened in 1927. View the remains of the Roman Forum, temples, house of the Vestal Virgins and Basilica Aemilia from Palatine Hill then on to the Pantheon followed by the Trevi fountain…
Beautiful, strangely displaced amongst dense buildings, and crowded with fellow tourists. Shed a tear in fond memory of Pixi’s last visit with Kent and a happier time when we tossed a coin and promised each other we would be back. Instead, posing on the rim we reserve a space between us for our mighty fallen, now with us spiritually, throw our coins in the fountain then join the masses to pose on the famous Spanish steps.
Lunch off the Piazza Navona then on to the Vatican. Sistine Chapel, hall of maps and the Basilica …the privilege of a private guide giving us instant access ahead of a crowd that stretches around the block, hot patient punters.
Conclude the day by viewing Rome – past and future – from a hilltop, before throwing ourselves back into the chaos of streets blocked by a protest march, exacerbated by the heightened security around the American Embassy opposite our hotel, a potential target for retaliation after Bin Laden’s demise.
In lieu of seeking one of the many ‘hip’ local eateries, relive the day via our iPad photo downloads, grab a meal in the hotel, retire to massage tired feet, guess our way through Italian dubbed movies and sleep…
Pippa
May 16, 2011 at 7:09 pm (14 years ago)Ahhhh what fabulous buildings and places to explore 🙂 Sounds like you are relishing it all 🙂
xxx
Loris
May 25, 2011 at 1:34 am (14 years ago)Did Janie fall in, it looks like she was on her way.and your supposed to close your eye’s guys.