CAUTION - READER ALERT:
The number of words on this and some of the following pages is analogous to the amount of art in Florence: over-the-top and spilling out everywhere. Use care when proceeding.
Accommodating Accommodations:Our hotel in Rome had pleasant, comfortable rooms and was conveniently located near the metro and bus lines so getting around this busy city was very do-able. It was also close to some lovely eateries. We had a delicious lunch sitting at a sidewalk table at Target (restaurant, not store) just around the corner from the hotel.
Hotel Aberdeen Via Firenze 48 Rome, 00184 ITALY Tel: 011 39 06 482 3920 |
Arriving in Rome, we got a chance to experience the thrill of driving through this crowded city. Although our bus driver expertly navigated the streets, audible gasps from Wayne and I, along with our fellow passengers, could be heard as we watched wide-eyed the maneuverings taking place. Our tour guide, Ben, explained the Roman traffic phenomenon this way: where Americans see four lanes in the road, Italians see six. Or more correctly, limitless.
(For more about transportation on Rick Steves tours, click here.)
This is an interesting shot with multiple centuries represented. In the foreground is Palazzo Nuovo (translated, New Building) from the 17th century. Just beyond is the remains of the Tabularium (the records office of ancient Rome) from the 1st century B.C. The white structure beyond that is a corner of the Victor Emmanuel Monument from the 19th century. And if you count what I believe is a Greek statue off to the left, that adds the 4th century B.C. to our list. (This is where tour guides come in very handy by pointing out cool photo ops like this!)
The Victor Emmanuel Monument, honoring Italy's first king, was erected in 1861 and is massive in scale. The 43-foot-long statue of the king on horseback is the biggest equestrian statue in the world. And as big as it is, it is dwarfed by the surrounding monument. The monument's gleaming white marble facade is definitely impressive.
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