Marcus Travel Journal
Fall 2022 Italy always includes time in Rome
When travel restrictions were lifted, we made a bee-line for a 2021 Rome visit, now we return in 2022. It really is an annual affair.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
The Trevi Fountain is so crowded with tourists, it is a sight to see, that it is best to visit very early in the morning, or in the evening after dinner. On one morning walk through there was a professional photoshoot taking place. At first I thought it was an event by a very rick family. Parents and their kids. What else can the ulta-rich do! But the more I watched and then took in the photographers and technical people with monitors, lights shades, lighting a massive set, it seemed this was a group of models, including the too-good-to-true kids, on some type of film or commercial.
Oh the Trevi Fountain, you just never know what is going to happen there.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
A visit to the Roman Forum is highly recommended. A few trips ago I decided it was time to return and put up with the line-up for tickets (less than for the Colosseum) and enjoyed an afternoon walking through the incredible remains of what was the center of Rome. But you should walk up to the Campidoglio, a major sight in its own right, and then walk down the via del Campidoglio, behind the Palazzo Senatorio, you look out over the Forum. It is one of the best locations for photographs and if you go early in the morning, other than a few other photographers that will be there, it is very peaceful and provides a view you will not forget.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
After enjoying the view of the Foro Romano, walk over to and then down via dei Fori Imperiali. There are sights on both the right and the left, so take your time. The street is closed to regular traffic. Only buses and taxis travel the street. It is early in the morning and you will be able to enoy a walk around the Flavian Amphitheaterter - the Colosseum. I always enjoy it early in the morning. There are few people and the run light that not only hits the structure but shines through the arches is something to catch.
Piazza Popolo
Photo: mytravellinglens.com
Sunday is always a day to walk down to the busy Piazza Popolo to get the feel of Rome. On workdays, the walk down the Via del Corso can be a challenge. But on Sundays, the street is closed to car traffic and the street fills with locals and tourists for the passeggiata - the walk to be seen and to be seen by others. Via del Corso runs from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo.
Via del Corso is one of the main streets of the historical centre of Rome. It was wide in ancient times, but today, it is two lanes of traffic and two very narrow sidewalks.
In ancient times, Piazza del Popolo is where the road left the urban territory of Rome, into the countryside.
Today there are plenty of sights along the via del Corso:
- Palazzo Doria Pamphili. The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is a large private art collection housed in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj.
- Churches that include the San Marcello al Corso, the Oratory of Santissimo Crocifisso, Santa Maria in Via Lata, Gesù e Maria, San Giacomo in Augusta, San Carlo al Corso and of course the two churches at the Piazza Popolo: Sanhta Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto..
- The shopping and cafes of the Galleria Albgerto Sordi.
- The column of Marcus Aurelius.
Life in Rome
Photo: mytravellinglens.com
While there are plenty of tourists in Rome, the city is not just about tourists it is a city of Romans.
Rome is all about Vespas!
Photo: mytravellinglens.com
There is certain cars and busses on the streest, but Rome is all about the bikes. Be careful as you walk across the streets!
The tourists are back!
Photo: mytravellinglens.com
We are not expecting the streets to be as full of people as they were. It is back to normal in Rome!
Evenings in Rome
Photo: mytravellinglens.com
Rome is a great place for evening walks. This is the view from our patio! This photo is from our previous stay. This year the street cars were not running on this street.
Iconic Fountains
Photo: mytravellinglens.com
Lots of iconic fountains and sights to see. The Piazza Navona is a visit each year.
Ponte Sant'Angleo
Photo: mytravellinglens.com
Three of the arches are from the original Pons Aelius, build in 123 AD by Roman Emperor Hadrian. The two arches that linked the bridge to the banks were destroyed in the 19th Century with construction of the Lungotevere (the walkways/banks that were built to prevent flooding).
