Oh my, your photo of Trevi Fountain brought back a memory, Ken! We were there early one morning and there weren’t many people around and this woman dressed like a gypsy (because she actually was!) was wandering around waving her arms and yelling like she was in some sort of trans and we just stood there not really sure what to do. Then someone tapped my husband on his shoulder and told him to watch what was going on around us because the gypsies would often create a diversion and the next thing you know all of your valuables had been lifted. At that point we walked away, but funny how vivid that memory still is after a decade!
Great photos, Ken. These photos all look familiar from years ago. I remember the Trevi fountain going there with my father and mother who grew up in Rome. Great memories. Thanks for reminding me of simpler times.
My most memorable day in Rome was visiting the Keats-Shelley Memorial house in a building beside the Spanish Steps. On the 2nd floor, John Keats passed away from tuberculosis in 1821, at the age of 25. What a moving experience. Afterwards I walked on that blistery hot June day to the Protestant Cemetery to see his grave. Does it sound crazy to go to Rome to visit a graveyard? What a beautiful, peaceful haven in the middle of crazy busy Rome. The cemetery was walled, much like the Capulet estate in Romeo and Juliet, with deciduous trees and roses growing, almost wild. I felt that I was walking on hallowed ground down shady pathways between tombstones that were works of art. Just do an image search of “Angel of Grief,” the tomb of one “Emelyn Story, born Boston” to see what I mean. It is precious. You might want to visit the Protestant Cemetery if you go to Rome. Historical and really very lovely.
Ken, Beautiful photos – I admired them all but the one of the toy “soldier” (soldierette?) captured me. One question though, did you ever find a spot that wasn’t filled with people? Those crowds would be enough to send me on the next flight home.
Nice pictures. Rome is a wonderful city. Just a pity that most of Ceasar’s Rome no longer exists. Would have been really interesting to have a look at.
Love these snippets of Rome for breaking down what I think of as a HUGE city into do-able bites. Particularly love the gelato pic (well, I love gelato!) and the following one of the door/mouth. Thanks for the tour.
I love the market place pictures and the musicians in the street. I think it is interesting how much history is in the architecture. We don’t really have the U.S. You might see a building that is a hundred years old (occasionally), but most of what we have is so modern. It is amazing to see a place with real history. I mentioned on your blog last week that I have the opportunity to visit Rome. Your posts are making me feel like more and more of an idiot for having not taken advantage of that already.
So, is Rome a walkable city? Are the motorists there respectful toward pedestrians, or is it a bit of a free-for-all on the streets? I assume Rome has a mass transit system: did you use it, and if so, what was it like?
Yes Rome streets are a bit of a free for all but traffic is pretty restricted around many of the biggest tourist locations. Size wise downtown Rome is pretty walkable. There is a subway which is okay but limited as there are only two lines. A third is under construction but most Romans doubt that they will see its completion in their lifetime. Seems as though every time you try to dig in Rome you bump into a piece of history.
great pics
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The statue of the human head spewing water between the ducks is rather creepy.
The artwork on the streets looks interesting. Was there anything worth buying?
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I didn’t really look to buy but there was so much that I’m sure there probably was.
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Oh my, your photo of Trevi Fountain brought back a memory, Ken! We were there early one morning and there weren’t many people around and this woman dressed like a gypsy (because she actually was!) was wandering around waving her arms and yelling like she was in some sort of trans and we just stood there not really sure what to do. Then someone tapped my husband on his shoulder and told him to watch what was going on around us because the gypsies would often create a diversion and the next thing you know all of your valuables had been lifted. At that point we walked away, but funny how vivid that memory still is after a decade!
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As you can see there was more than a few people around when I visited.
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Great photos, Ken. These photos all look familiar from years ago. I remember the Trevi fountain going there with my father and mother who grew up in Rome. Great memories. Thanks for reminding me of simpler times.
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My most memorable day in Rome was visiting the Keats-Shelley Memorial house in a building beside the Spanish Steps. On the 2nd floor, John Keats passed away from tuberculosis in 1821, at the age of 25. What a moving experience. Afterwards I walked on that blistery hot June day to the Protestant Cemetery to see his grave. Does it sound crazy to go to Rome to visit a graveyard? What a beautiful, peaceful haven in the middle of crazy busy Rome. The cemetery was walled, much like the Capulet estate in Romeo and Juliet, with deciduous trees and roses growing, almost wild. I felt that I was walking on hallowed ground down shady pathways between tombstones that were works of art. Just do an image search of “Angel of Grief,” the tomb of one “Emelyn Story, born Boston” to see what I mean. It is precious. You might want to visit the Protestant Cemetery if you go to Rome. Historical and really very lovely.
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Ken, Beautiful photos – I admired them all but the one of the toy “soldier” (soldierette?) captured me. One question though, did you ever find a spot that wasn’t filled with people? Those crowds would be enough to send me on the next flight home.
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Rome was pretty full. The tourist attractions like he Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum were packed.
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Nice pictures. Rome is a wonderful city. Just a pity that most of Ceasar’s Rome no longer exists. Would have been really interesting to have a look at.
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Thanks for taking us along on your trip to Rome! I love Italy! The pictures brought back some great memories.
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Love these snippets of Rome for breaking down what I think of as a HUGE city into do-able bites. Particularly love the gelato pic (well, I love gelato!) and the following one of the door/mouth. Thanks for the tour.
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I love the market place pictures and the musicians in the street. I think it is interesting how much history is in the architecture. We don’t really have the U.S. You might see a building that is a hundred years old (occasionally), but most of what we have is so modern. It is amazing to see a place with real history. I mentioned on your blog last week that I have the opportunity to visit Rome. Your posts are making me feel like more and more of an idiot for having not taken advantage of that already.
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More wonderful pictures of Rome. The streets of Rome look like a pretty good time.
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Another great post with awesome pics.
Rome must be the highest city on my list of places to visit. The history alone makes the trip worth while.
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Oh, great pictures! I love Italy, Rome especially! Tomorrow I am going to Florence after checking your post, I am even more excited 🙂
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I went to Florence after Rome. Haven’t gotten to those pic yet. Have a great trip.
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So, is Rome a walkable city? Are the motorists there respectful toward pedestrians, or is it a bit of a free-for-all on the streets? I assume Rome has a mass transit system: did you use it, and if so, what was it like?
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Yes Rome streets are a bit of a free for all but traffic is pretty restricted around many of the biggest tourist locations. Size wise downtown Rome is pretty walkable. There is a subway which is okay but limited as there are only two lines. A third is under construction but most Romans doubt that they will see its completion in their lifetime. Seems as though every time you try to dig in Rome you bump into a piece of history.
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That does it! I simply must have a doorway that is in the form of a gaping maw 🙂
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There were similarly designed windows to accompany it.
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