Maria & Brett's HUGE Trip 06-07-08-09-?

ok, so the Socceroos lost in 'that' penalty against Italy; Adriatic summers aren't long enough (bliss!); and we found that you should never use the term "Eastern Bloc" when talking to a Czech (Central Europe, please).

La Dolce Vita

There are [32] photos in this gallery.

What does a girl do when her boyfriend is in the UK for two weeks and the days are cold, the nights are even colder, and the download on the internet is slowing down to a shuffle due to download overload?…she packs her bags and heads to Rome for a long weekend with Sarah from Cali!

Sarah engrossed in the local street press. After checking into the hostel (this trip has reminded me why I've upgraded to hotels!) we were off to find a great coffee and panini. Didn't take long. Views[90] The Piazza della Repubblica. One of the round-a-bouts that I wouldn't even attempt if I was driving in Rome. Beautiful fountain and surrounding buildings however. Views[86] This is the Trajan column which was raised in honour of the Roman Emperor, you guessed it, Trajan. The column is famous for its intricate relief which commemorates Trajan's victory in the Dacian Wars. It was completed in 113. Personal highlight - the sky in the background! Views[84] The Trajan column in more detail. The relief portrays Trajan's two victorious military campaigns against the Dacians; the lower half illustrating the first (101-102), and the top half illustrating the second (105-106). Note: How cool is wikipedia!? Views[479] My first dodgy experience happened in this mall. I found a pair of beautiful leather boots which were a bargain - as the sales assistant went to find my size another assistant took the boot and changed the price...x 2 ie. 350 euro! I learnt to keep my mouth shut after that. Nice mall though. Views[85]
 
Walking through Termini Station back to the hostel after dinner. Joined by Sarah's friends Brian and Maria, also from Cali but living in Florence. Views[78] The infamous Trevi Fountain - by night. Views[84] Maria and Sarah posing in front of the fountain. Views[79] Approximately 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day and are collected at night. The money has been used to subsidise a supermarket for Rome's needy. Hmmmm, apparently. Views[83] Views[70]
 
Another icon - the Colosseum. Views[81] Ponte Sant'Angelo - meaning the Bridge of Hadrian, is a bridge in Rome, constructed between 134-139 by Roman Emperor Hadrian, to span the Tiber, from the city centre to his newly constructed mausoleum, now the towering Castel Sant'Angelo. Views[74] Ponte Sant'Angelo Views[78] Brian, Maria and Sarah Views[98] Castel Sant'Angelo from the bridge. The angel statue on the top depicts the angel from whom the building derives its name. The left side of my brain is heavier than the right. Views[72]
 
One of the many gorgeous alleyways leading you through the old town. Views[70] A well deserved pit stop. A coffee and sweet by the bar. Could it get anymore I-talian?! Views[88] Brian, Sarah and Maria taking in the gorgeous alleyways of the old town. Views[72] The Campo de' Fiori - the oldest food and flower market in Rome. It's surrounded by deli's, cafe's and bakeries. I was in heaven! Views[66] Campo de' Fiori. Sarah and Maria bargaining on the fruit and veg. Views[90]
 
Some of the architecture surrounding the Campo de' Fiori. Views[71] The Fontana de Moro - Giacomo della Porta created the fountain with sculpted tritons in 1574-1576, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini redesigned it 1654, adding the central statue Fontana de Moro - The pigeons were very obliging. Views[102] Piazza Navona - where the Romans came to watch the agones ( The Vatican Museum - well a minuscule part of it anyway. Definitely makes you wonder how the 'church' collected all the pieces. Whilst listening to the audio tape the narrator kept saying that
 
Part of the Gallery of Maps. This map shows the east coast of Italy, the Adriatic Sea and the Italian ruled Croatian coast. Of most importance(!) is the Croatian city of Zada (Zadar)which is the city my parents are from - well a little village just outside. Zadar still has many Romanesque buildings and ruins. Views[88] St. Peter's Basilica and Square. Token shot with the nun in the foreground. Views[85] The Pantheon meaning The dome of the Pantheon. Views[104] The Spanish Steps - apparently the longest and widest staircase in all Europe. Not a great shot but it's the only one I could get. Unfortunately there was a huge ad at the top of the steps encasing the obelisk - something I didn't want to capture! Views[78]
 
View from the top of the Spanish Steps. Views[95] The roof tops of Rome. As Dean Martin once sang -Arrivederci Roma! Views[95]    

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