The Spanish Steps - This Will Complete Our First Site-Seeing Day In Rome

The Spanish Steps were named after a local 17th century ambassador's residence. No ordinary staircase, the steps are a bewildering mix of curves, straight flights, vistas, and terraces, usually covered with huge pots of flowers and lounging sightseers. Although the views from the top are superb, most people cluster around the Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the steps.

The Spanish Steps (as the Scalinata della Trinita' dei Monti is known in English) are a majestic series of three flights of steps that lead up to the impressive double-belltowered church (before which stands an obelisk). This complex can best be seen from far down Via dei Condotti. In early summer they are sometimes completely covered with flowers of many colours making a delightful sight. In summer the myriad of tourists who come here often just sit on the steps to soak in the atmosphere and watch the street sellers and the charicature artists who work at the foot of the steps plying their skills.

The Trevi Fountain - One Of The Beautiful Attractions We Will See

As I read about the Trevi Fountain, I found myself lost in the beauty of it. For a romanticist, this might just be one of my favorite places to visit.

- Trevi Fountain -

You will not find any other place in the world that celebrates the ever-mutating and incredible power of water like Rome. The Trevi Fountain is a fantastic work of art that is much more than a mere sculpture. This triumphant example of Baroque art with its soft, natural lines and fantasy creatures embodies movement as the soul of the world. The fountain is a true wonder, a jewel of water and stone that is nestled between the palaces of the historic centre of the city.

You can already hear its presence from the nearby streets. Indeed, as you get nearer the sound of its gushing waters grows constantly more intense, reaching a crescendo in the square, where you will find the most breathtaking sight. Suddenly, the space seems to open out and you stand before a symbolic representation of this great force of nature, a tumultuous spring that seems to flow out of the ground.

The light and shade effects on the marble make the wind seem to bellow through the drapes and locks of the statues, agitating the waves, creating an extraordinarily intense and spectacular scene. In this Baroque creation, the architecture itself seems to come alive with the current of the revitalising waters.

There is a curious tradition regarding the Trevi Fountain. It is said that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the water, you will be sure to return to Rome. A second penny grants your wish. Yet another rite says if couples drink from the small fountain on the left they will be faithful to each other forever.

The Pantheon -Another Site On Our First Day In Rome

The Pantheon is one of the great spiritual buildings of the world. It was built as a Roman temple and later consecrated as a Catholic Church. The only natural light enters through an unglazed oculus at the center of the dome and through the bronze doors to the portico.

As the sun moves, striking patterns of light illuminate the walls and floors of porphyry, granite and yellow marbles.

Piazza Venezia - The Hub Of The City

We will soon be in the the hub of the city! Rome, here we come! In a matter of a few weeks, this will be so much more than a picture. Our footprints will be a part of the Rome, Italy landscape!

Piazza Venezia is the large central square in the hub of Rome. Almost any bus that you might want to be on will eventually pass through the piazza. It is close to many important tourist sites including the Roman Forum and the Capitol Hill. Unlike most of the piazzas in Rome, this is relatively square in conception, and was laid out late last century as a worthy home for the Monument of king Vittorio Emmanuele II.

The Colosseum

As our tour continues, we will be visiting the Colosseum.

The Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater was the first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome. Its monumental size and grandeur as well as its practical and efficient organization for producing spectacles and controlling the large crowds make it one of the great architectural monuments achieved by the ancient Romans.

The Colosseum was designed to hold 50,000 spectators, and it had approximately eighty entrances so crowds could arrive and leave easily and quickly.

The plan is a vast ellipse, measuring externally 188 m x 156 m (615 ft x 510 ft), with the base of the building covering about 6 acres. Vaults span between eighty radial walls to support tiers of seating and for passageways and stairs.

The facade of three tiers of arches and an attic story is about 48.5 m (158 ft) tall — roughly equivalent to a 12-15 story building.

What To Wear In Rome

Inside Rome: What to Wear

If you’re visiting Rome in the summertime, make sure you pack the right clothes – for weather and for “blending” in! So, what do Italians wear when it’s hot? The answer is not surprising – pants, shorts and cool shirts (like t-shirts and tanks). White, green and blue are the big colors (just like in America).

For footwear, remember that Rome has some pretty tough streets to walk on – cobblestones, for example. Many of the local women seem to walk effortlessly on heels or wedges. But, if you’re not used to that (and to save a trip to the podiatrist when you get home) wear comfortable, low heeled shoes (or tennis shoes). Anticipate that you will walk a lot! If you're not used to lots of walking, or you decide not to wear tennis shoes, bring a box of Band-Aids, just in case. When visiting religious sites remember to cover your shoulders and absolutely no shorts! However, covering your head is not required at most sites.

Forum Romanum

The Roman Forum, which we will also be visiting, was the political and religious centre in ancient Rome. It was mostly abandoned at the end of the 4th century. The importance of the Forum area is indicated by the presence of many of the central political, religious and judicial buildings in Rome.

The site of the Forum Romanum is still subject to excavations, and several parts of the Forum cannot be visited, but the whole area has the status of an archaeological site, open to visitors.

Today, the forum known as the Forum Romanum can look like a disorderly collection of ruins to the uninitiated, but with some imagination you can see the Roman empire come back to life at this site. Remains of many buildings from different periods are visible; the forum was littered with temples, basilicas and triumphal arches.

The Vatican City

One of the first places we will be visiting in Rome is The Vatican City. Here is a brief description of it.

The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderna.

We will also be visiting the Sistine Chapel.




This work has been and truly is a beacon of our art, and it has brought such benefit and enlightenment to the art of painting that it was sufficient to illuminate a world which for so many hundreds of years had remained in the state of darkness. And, to tell the truth, anyone who is a painter no longer needs to concern himself about seeing innovations and inventions, new ways of painting poses, clothing on figures, and various awe-inspiring details, for Michelangelo gave to this work all the perfection that can be given to such details.
(Giorgio Vasari on Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel)

Without having seen the Sistine Chapel one can form no appreciable idea of what one man is capable of achieving.
(Johann Wolfgang Goethe in 1787 in Rome)

Our Flight Schedule

Today I learned our flight schedule. We will be flying from Minneapolis to Philadelphia to Frankfurt, Germany and then to Rome. It made it a bit more real!

Time is fleeting. There are only a few weeks now before we say good bye to our families and lift off to a new adventure.

There is a lot to do including making decisions about what to take with me. I am a girl and electrical appliances are a part of my everyday life. I am doing research on electrical adapters and converters so I will have what I need to charge my camera batteries, cell phone battery and my bluetooth headset.

Much to my chagrin, I may be leaving my laptop at home. Traveling light and simple might just be the order of the day. I will see.

Just An Example Of What I Will Do With My Italy/Greece Pictures

I learn something new everyday. Today I learned how to make a collage of pictures using a new program. Below is a collage of some of my pictures from my Ireland trip. I am looking forward to creating multiple collages of this new and exciting trip I will be taking with Christopher. What a lucky girl I am!!

If you want a larger view of the collage, please click on it and you will be able to see each picture very clearly!

Italy And Greece Here We Come

Hi everyone..I have decided to start a new blog. This blog will focus on the trip I am taking with my grandson, Christopher. It is funny how it all came about. I was having lunch with his mom, my daughter, Kara, and she casually mentioned that Christopher had an opportunity to go to Italy and Greece with his school. I simply said four words, "When do we leave?" Well, that led to this most wonderful opportunity.

On June 19th, 2007, Christopher and I will fly to Italy and Greece and return June 29th, 2007. I am doing certain things to get ready including getting a new cell phone which is set up for International use and a Bluetooth Headset so I will be able to walk and talk and not have to hold my phone or have an earpiece with a cord dangling.

I have also purchased a Skype number so my family should be able to talk to me virtually free of charge. I have tested the Skype connection from as far away as Ireland and it is fabulous...clear as can be.

I will be posting as our preparations go along and I will certainly do my best to update the blog with pictures while we are there as I plan at this point to take my laptop with me.

Traveling has not been a big part of my life. I have made one international trip to Ireland with my husband, Tom. And, now, my second international trip is going to be with my 14 year old grandson, Christopher, which makes me smile and think what a wonderful opportunity I get to have.

I hope you will all check in regularly to see our progress and share our excitement!