Walking Tour of Rome

I have walked and walked and walked the city of Rome.  I have visited 5 times now and each time fought with that map and the horribly crooked streets that are hard to follow.  But I was determined to see as much as I could in the short time that I had.  And I did.  I loved it all. 

I loved the Spanish Steps, at the Piazza de Spagna.  I would love to just sit at the steps with someone and "hang out" for a while.  But there is always such limited time and I have to hurry to get to the next site. 

The Fontana de Trevi is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. I could spend hours shooting that architecture.

The Trevi Fountain is a little difficult to find on your own.  The surrounding streets are crooked and not all of them appear on the map.  I am not that great with a map in the first place, and have no sense of direction.  But suddenly you turn a corner and there it is. 

The figures in the fountain tell a story.  The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea.  Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water.  (I emptied my purse).

 

Continuing on to Castel Sant'Angelo, the cylindrical building that used to be a fortress, now a museum.  Once used as a prison, the Popes turned it into a castle.  This castle is connected to St. Peter's Basilica (The Vatican). 

I've also visited the Pantheon, the most complete ancient building in Rome.  It is absolutely worth it to take the time and go inside.  The dome is amazing.  Michelangelo studied this dome before beginning his work on St. Peter's Basilica. 

Also steeped in history is the Colosseum.  Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiator contests and public spectacles. 

I love every bit of Rome and can not wait to go back sometime and walk the city again. 

The Vatican - A Photographer's Paradise

Since I have been fortunate enough to have visited Rome numerous times, I thought I would start there. It is one of my favorite cities.

The Vatican is a photographer's paradise, I could never get tired of shooting that beautiful building.

The first time I was there, Dale (my brother) was with me. We were inexperienced travelers and were not dressed appropriately to be let inside (we had shorts on so our knees were not covered). We were sick! Just sick.

How can you travel that far and not be allowed in?! At least it was both of us that were not allowed in so one wasn't holding the other one back.

I wasn't really a photographer at that time, but the next time we were both there, I was. The Vatican was so crowded that day and I was trying to juggle my camera and not get lost from the tour guide. It was nearly impossible. Finally Dale said, don't worry, I will keep an eye on you and not let you get lost, take your pictures.

The inside of the Vatican is so amazing. I never had enough time but even if I had more time it still would have been hard to leave.

The glorious high ceilings, the magnificent altar, the works of Bernini and the dome by Michelangelo, you just drink it all in.

We were not allowed to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel but I would have liked to. Since we were in some place "holy" and God was watching, I did not even try to sneak one!