I recently spent some time in Rome! A map and good walking shoes are the best way to explore Rome. Outside the Pantheon on Piazza della Rotonda is a very good place to start.
Sometimes its hard to tell where the souvenir stalls end and the Trevi Fountain begins. But even with the noticeable drop in tourist numbers, everyone trows a coin in the fountain so that one day they might return to Rome.
While we in Ireland have been trying to cope with austerity measures for the past few years, cuts only began to bite in Italy before Christmas, when the Berlusconi government fell. The number of people sleeping rough on the streets has noticeably increased. These trainee priests were reciting the Rosary as they walked past the lady with the alms cup.
I don't know if it is a sign of cutbacks or just the immaculate taste of the Romans, but Fiat 500s seem to be the car of choice for weddings this winter. This beauty was on Piazza Popolo.
What I think makes Rome so special is the friendly people, be it in the markets, the streets and the amazing restaurants. Ciao Carolina, Fabrizio, Igor e Guido!
And then there are the cafes. The baristas become a blur as they make countless perfect espressos at la Tazza D'Oro.
Mind you it is a strange experience to stand beside a gladiator at a cafe bar! These particular warriors seem to be guarding the Spanish Steps!
For me all roads lead back to the corinthian columns of the Pantheon, on Piazza della Rotonda. It was built by the Emperor Hadrian nearly two thousand years ago and is still functioning as a church. The enormous dome was the largest in the world for almost 1500 years, until Michelangelo came up with his design for the dome of St Peters.
Sipping a spritz in a cafe opposite Bernini's fountain of the four Rivers, in Piazza Navona is a good place to finish any trip. Arrivederci Roma - until the next time!
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