Greetings.

Over the last couple of weeks we looked at both cultural and ‘touristy’ reasons for going to Italy.  We talked about some customs it might be helpful to know and we wrestled with some ideas that might get in the way of our selecting Italy as our destination.   With those things out of the way, we can now start focusing on some of Italy’s major cities.  Cominciamo con Roma!  (Let’s start with Rome!)

Not only is Rome the capital of Italy, at one time it was considered the capital of the world.  While it may not still be considered such, it still is a magnificent, laid back piece of history, architecture, and cuisine that will play with your senses and forbid you to release its memory.  There is an air about the city that suggests to today’s traveler that it’s time to slow down and relax for a while. I can think of no better place to sit and people-watch…to appreciate the aromas coming from the sidewalk café while enjoying a long lunch; to listen to the sound of the people chatting and the traffic buzzing by.  In Rome you feel ‘cool’ just for being there.

Don’t spend all you time at the cafés though.  The attractions in Rome are numerous and not to be missed.  For example, The Colosseum, the ancient stadium that is surely one of the most recognizable pieces of architecture on the planet.  Back in the day, Christians and gladiators literally fought to the death here, sadly to say, for the entertainment of others.  The ruins are a breathtaking sight to behold both day and night.  Along these same lines is The Forum, once the heart of the Roman Empire.

The Pantheon, not to be confused with Greece’s Parthenon as I once did on one of Mr. Gray’s tests, is a wonderfully preserved Roman building from the second century A.D.  It is a domed structure whose size is only exceed by Florence’s Duomo which was built some 13 centuries later.

Then there’s the Vatican City.  Not just a city, it is a tiny little nation of its own right in Rome.  We’ll discuss it in depth in a later blog.

If you’re looking for something romantic, as you must while in Rome, get to the Trevi Fountain and toss in some coins.  Toss one and legend says you’ll be sure to return.  Toss two and you’re sure to fall in love with an Italian.  (As far as I know you can return multiply times…for insurance.)

Oh, speaking of insurance: don’t forget to buy some for your trip…$85 to $115 for normal stuff, but certain risky behaviors will have you paying a little more for add-ons.

Così desiderare per ora.  (So long for now.)