May 2004 - Rome Italy
UPDATE - MAY 2026 I FOUND MY HANDWRITTEN NOTES - BELOW PHOTOS!
NOTES INCLUDED FLORENCE AND VENICE SO ADDED WITH PHOTOS!!
This was our first trip to Rome and we had a decent digital camera so took tons of photos!
Of historical note too, this was the first time we booked an apartment rental online!
Returning to Rome has been on John's bucket list so we will be doing that in May 2019.
I thought I would post some of the highlights.
THE FORUM
THE COLOSSEUM
Some gladiators on break, having a cigarette.
Long before the modern lie detector and graphs and wires were invented, the superstitious and untruthful faced a much more severe fate between the jaws of the Bocca della VeritĂ , or Mouth of Fate, an ancient carving which is said to bite the hands off of liars.
The National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II) is a remarkably large building made of white marble.
For some, the structure is similar to a wedding cake, because of its wide stairways. Others would see it as a typewriter because of its odd and huge shape.
At the base and guarded by soldiers is the Altare della Patria, or the Altar of the Fatherland, where the tomb of an unknown soldier is found. This soldier was killed in the 1st World War and became a symbol for all unknown fallen soldiers of Italy.
Palazzo del Quirinal & obelisk Castor and Pollux.
Elephant and Obelisk is the base of the smallest obelisk of Rome, with a height of 5.47 meters.The statue is a sculpture designed by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Piazza della Rotonda is the square right outside the Pantheon. As the Pantheon’s informal name is the church of Santa Maria Rotonda, that’s how the piazza gets the name.
The Fontana del Pantheon was finished in 1575.
The Spanish Steps where we also had dinner one night.
We were drawn to Piazza del Popolo because the book Angels and Demons was so popular at the time and we had both read it. So we had to have lunch in the cafe where the Dan Brown character ate.
Two churches look onto the square; Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto. These two temples look identical from the exterior, but hide several differences inside.
In looking at these photos we apparently spent a fair amount of time at the Borghese Gardens.
The Museum of Modern Art
Castel Sant'Angelo on the Tiber River
Built as a mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian, it was converted into a papal fortress in the 6th century and named after an angelic vision that Pope Gregory the Great had in 590. Nowadays, it houses the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo and its grand collection of paintings, sculpture, military memorabilia and medieval firearms.
VATICAN
We went into St. Peter's and also saw the Sistine Chapel, something one must do on a first trip to Rome.
Having caffe in the shadow of the Vatican.
Drinking wine in Piazza Navona during a rain shower.
In looking at these photos we apparently spent a fair amount of time at the Borghese Gardens.
The Museum of Modern Art
Castel Sant'Angelo on the Tiber River
Built as a mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian, it was converted into a papal fortress in the 6th century and named after an angelic vision that Pope Gregory the Great had in 590. Nowadays, it houses the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo and its grand collection of paintings, sculpture, military memorabilia and medieval firearms.
VATICAN
We went into St. Peter's and also saw the Sistine Chapel, something one must do on a first trip to Rome.
Having caffe in the shadow of the Vatican.
Drinking wine in Piazza Navona during a rain shower.
May 2026
I found my handwritten notes!
Apr 29 Overcast
Took subway to St. Peter's. Line up was down street to corner. Decided to sit and have coffee and chocolate strudel. Line got smaller so we decided to go to the museum 12 euro each. Just too crowded. John said it was like a procession as you moved along.
Walked entirely around the Vatican walls 45 minutes. Got stopped by a man asking directions. Scammed for money for gas as he claimed Romans wouldn't accept his French visa. "Gave us" a jacket (ugly black and white piping and black and red lining) and pink pirate shirt which he was in town selling. Made us promise not to sell!
Had camera card put on a CD 10 euros.
Then lunch at small pizzeria on Vittoria Emmanuel. Walked back to Castel d'Angelo. Crowd and media getting really for big peace parade.
Tried to find internet cafe, but couldn't.
April 30 Raining
Rose early to train station for 8:30 train, left 9:15. Long but comfortable ride. Had 4 seats to ourselves.
Arrived in FLORENCE 12:30. One minute walk to Hotel Boccaccio. Beautiful room, yellow silk curtains.
Ponte Vecchio, statues, David, Pitti Palace.
.
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Walked some more then back to the hotel. Internet in bar with wine. BAD wine!! Waiter opened a new Chianti. Took a nap, arose at 8:30, ready for dinner. Walked back to Piazza della Signoria. Dinner was great, service was also great. I had veal scallopini with tomato salad, John had lamb with fries. Then a cheese platter. Waiter brought grappa and biscotti gratis.
Breakfast in hotel. Went strolling.
Quick lunch around the corner foccacia with birra.
Then picked up luggage from hotel and went to train station. Train late 20 minutes. Station really crowded. One hour to Bologna then Venice!
VENICE
Called Luiga and met her at Giadamia after taking waterbus #1 50 minutes. Walked to apartment, 1 minute.
Great apartment, esp. after Rome. Has everything. Dropped our stuff and walked out by Garibaldi St. Stopped for wine and cheese.
Then walked some more to San Marco. WOW St. Peter's is dropping even quicker in his estimation! Musicians playing in the square vying for customers. Great sunset.
Had dinner by the square. Tourist menu 11 euros - insalada mistro, scallopini Milanese with patatas, cappuccinos, free grappa.
Bed.
May 2
Breakfast at Garibaldi's 4 cappucinos and chocolate croissants. Walked and walked.
Crossed back at Rialto. Lots and lots of tourists. Sat at water's edge and had white wine.
Walked back, read a while.
Headed out for dinner then back as it was very windy. Found a small pretty restaurant. Lamps hanging around patio.
I had liver John grilled shrimp and scallops. Both had polenta, yuck!
Strolled back.
May 3
Raining, up late as usual. Breakfast 2 capacinos and marmalade croissants. Did some grocery shopping. 2 bottles wine, 4 bottles water, 4 toilet paper, orange juice and chips 12 euros.
Fruit stand - 2 oranges, 2 pear, strawberries and 2 bananas 2 euros.
Bakery 4 buns, 2 almond pastry 3.50 euros
Cheese store asiago/gorgonzola 5.50 euros
Walked 3 miles then back for lunch - wine, cheese, bread and read.
Went at 5 walked to Arsenale, took more pics. Then by San Mario and Harry's to a small bar, Milo's, 4 double Jack Daniel's 8 euros.
Strolled some more to Rialto. Dinner at GC. Started raining. Ate by canal. Had ham and melon, curry chicken, salad, lasagna.
Ambulance streaked by causing flooding. Then more flooding. Stopped raining. Walked back by San Marco, flooded! 2 in.
May 4 RAIN!
We were going to take the train somewhere and buying 72 hour waterbus pass included Grand Canal. But woke up to an absolute downpour. So had breakfast in bed. Then read. Still raining, had lunch in bed, cheese, wine, bread, red pear and strawberries.
Finally got up at 5. Turned on BBC World to learn that there had been a 24 hour transportation strike in Italy!
