An assortment of thoughts and sights

This blog highlights some of the random thoughts and sights throughout my time in Rome….. Gelato, Gelato, and More Gelato After three months in Italy, I believe I can officially call myself a gelato connoisseur. Having gelato almost every day for the greater part of the trip, I got to know the best gelaterias and …

Morning Sunrise, Churches, and Art

I began Monday rising before the sun. The birds were chirping outside my window, and I was ready for another glorious day in Rome. One of my favorite ways to experience a city is to watch the sunrise and the city come alive. I enjoy the way the quiet and still of the morning gives …

Ancient Classics of Rome and a Walk Through Trastevere

Saturday was quite a day: busy, tiring, and beautiful. I made my way through the classic ancient Roman sights, the Mammertine Prison and viewed the Imperial Forum and Trajan’s Column from the exterior. With the Roman sun beating down on me as I wandered through the outdoor sights, I had to stop and marvel at …

The Pantheon and Surrounding Churches

Saturday was dedicated to the Pantheon and three nearby churches. What is go great about visiting the churches is that one gets to see such incredible artwork it the place for which it was originally intended. It is definitely the best place to view the incredible art in Rome. The first church I visited was …

Day trip to Hadrian’s Villa and Tivoli’s Villa d’Este

Wow! That expression alone is basically all that is needed to sum up my day in Tivoli! I had been waiting so long to see Hadrian’s Villa, and I was very excited to make the day trip from Rome to see it’s splendor. Each of my guidebooks recommended going to Villa d’Este as well, and …

Starchitecture to the Ultimate Classic: Zaha’s MAXXI Museum to the Pantheon

Excellent architecture abounds in Rome. Obviously, the classic architecture of the city is infamous, but on Thursday I visited some inspiring modern architecture. Zaha Hadid’s MAXXI Museum was completed in 2010 in northern Rome. Some friends had said it was an outstanding museum, and since I had never been in any of Zaha’s work before, …

Getting to see the Pope!

The highlight of Wednesday was getting to see Pope Benedict XVI. On Wednesday mornings, the Basilica of St. Peter’s is closed, and people have the opportunity to attend a papal audience. I was very excited to attend this event. I arrived early. When I picked up my ticket on Monday, the Swiss guard told me …