We decided that our very favorite thing to do in Rome is to take a cab ride. Especially in the early evening. It’s wonderful to zoom around a corner and wham! – there it is, a large ancient structure from 2,000 years ago. Another corner, and another awe-inspiring structure. Then a breezy ride back to the hotel along the Tiber River, with motorcycles cruising by. We’ve been here a few times before but there is always something new to see plus revisiting some favorites. One of those is the Pantheon. It doesn’t look very big from here but is hugely round inside. Ancient, ancient place.

The Spanish steps seem more crowded than when we were last here but they have been cleaned and are a very light color in comparison to our last visit. Widest and biggest staircase in Europe.

The Trevi fountain. We did not throw a coin in this time. Hmmm?

And the Coliseum.

From ancient Rome, we go to religious Rome and St. Peter’s.

The most marvelous thing is Michelangelo’s Pieta just inside.

Hard to capture the size of this place but it can hold 60,000 people. 

Something new. We climb to the top of the Dome. Almost. We took the elevator halfway up then climbed the remaining 350 steps. It wasn’t hard (all that Amalfi training), just sort of dizzying. 

Looking down at St. Peter’s Square. 

From this angle, the Pantheon’s round dome can be seen as well as the large, white National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II, also known as “the Wedding Cake.” The Coliseum has to be in there someplace close to that. 

Walking down from the Dome. 

Ross and the Swiss guards.

We skip the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel this time. Dinner our final night in the city is fish. And they look pretty fresh.

Walking back to our hotel, the Julius Caesar. Well located, we could walk to almost anything. The Coliseum was a bit of a stretch for us but we could have handled one way.

While our knees hurt on Amalfi, our feet hurt in Rome – cobblestones – and when I got home it was the elbows; tendinitis from using the trekking poles. Every bit worth it! Lasting memories!