All in a Roman day......

There are three sites in a row that we regard as "our spot" in Rome because we "found them" ( they are huge buildings/areas) during our first walk in Rome last year.

The first is the huge  Victor Emmanuel II white marble monument that dominates Piazza Venezia   It was built as a tribute to the first king of a united Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.  It is a new Roman building as construction commenced in 1885. At the front of the building is the tomb of the unknown soldier.  At the top of the building you get fantastic views all over Rome. This year we didn't climb it.

Santa Maria D'Aracoeli is next to it and is a beautiful church that we visited last year when a wedding was on.  You may cross over to it after you have climbed the many steps from the former building or walk up the hundred or more steps to the front door. 

Next door is the beautiful square that we wanted to explore more but still we didn't have time to go into the museums.

The steps leading up - to suit horses riding into the square or Piazza

 Beautiful statues 

  The she wolf statue with Romulus and Remus - the symbol of Rome

And where ever you look there are the remains of old Rome to see

In the evening we met up with the tour group for the final dinner, which was at a restaurant just near the Piazza Navona

The dinner was lovely and a major surprise was the entertainment.  Wonderful opera singing by this young lady.

Farewell to Rome

We were sad to leave to leave Rome. Such a beautiful city.  We had our first major hiccup leaving.  There was a general transport strike in Rome and our flight to Paris ( in fact all flights to Paris by our airline) were cancelled.  We were able to get tickets on another airline at 14 times he original cost.  I will freak ou t if our travel insurance does not cover this.  I will be visiting more churches and praying!