Rome
Dec 30, 2005-Jan 2, 2006
AC890 YYZ-FCO, AC891 FCO-YYZ
This was a quick, long-weekend, New Year’s trip. We were trying to get away to better weather, but ended up finding it cool and a little rainy – still better than Toronto in January. Rome was its chaotic self, but no complaints from me. We stayed at the top of the Spanish Steps so were right in the middle of it all including the New Year’s craziness -- they do love their fireworks. I didn’t make the Roman candle connection to Rome until I experienced the first of many explosions.
Dec 31
Arrive in Rome after overnight flight from Toronto
Nativity scene on Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Spagna)
Barcaccia fountain in Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Plaza for those who don’t know Italian)
The Trevi Fountain (1762) is crowded even in the rain
It’s not Rome w/o Colosseum (AD 72-80)
Palatine Hill over the Forum
Gord at the Roman Forum (centre of ancient city)
Church of SS. Luca e Martina (we think anyway, need to keep notes) near Forum
Capitol Hill Rome (Palazzo dei Senatori)
Piazza del Campidoglio (Michelangelo-1538)
The Pantheon (118-125 AD)
Pantheon - Dome and Oculus (luckily without rain flowing through)
In and around midnight - can you tell it’s pouring rain?
More celebrating, fireworks in all directions
Jan 1
Rome
Courtyard of the Intercontinental
Looking down at Piazza di Spagna
Looking up to Villa Borghese Park
Piazza del Popolo (obelisk under construction)
Christmas Tree at the Vatican
PopeTV - New Year’s mass outside the vatican
St Peter’s Basilica and Square
New Year’s Parade outside the Vatican
Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II over Tiber River
Torre Argentia Cat Sanctuary set in ruins, made for an interesting use of ruins
Victor Emmanuel Monument (1870)
Gord at fountain in front of Victor E. Monument
Forum Temple of Saturn (497 BC)
Tom at Borghese Park
Streets decorated for the season
Trevi Fountain at Night
Column of Marcus Aurelius (193 AD)
Piazza Venezia at night
Jan 2
Rome to home in Toronto
Bottom of the Spanish Steps before our last climb
Trevi fountain cash cleanup -- a little less romantic