Rome

December 30, 2005 - January 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