By Courtney CochranWhen pressed for time in Rome, it helps to have an Italian guide. Thanks to my travel companion's city smarts, we were able to see a lot on our last day - emphasis on lot.
For starters, we took in the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, followed by a viewing of the Campidoglio (Roman capitol) and lunch in the Jewish Ghetto, a fascinating part of the city in which modern apartments have literally been built on top of ancient ruins (talk about juxtaposition!).
After lunch we took in Largo di Torre Argentina, a fascinating excavation site of several Republican temples that doubles as a sanctuary for homeless cats (always a sucker for felines, this one), the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna and the adjacent Spanish Steps. (Phew!) It was a whirlwind, but a fascinating whirlwind - to say the least - and fittingly capped by a rooftop Champagne cocktail at the International Academy of Wine at the Spanish Steps.
There, we were not only treated to jaw-dropping views of the surrounding city and the Spanish Steps below, but also an impromptu concert by internationally acclaimed chanteuse Laura Pausini Pausini sang to a throng of admirers at the foot of the steps, a concert that seemed perfectly staged - not to mention timed - for our viewing. It was a fitting conclusion to a day that will easily go down as one of my most memorable ever, thanks to a beautiful city, a good dose of curiosity and a whole lot of history. Oh, and a fantastic guide.
.
Pictured: (1) Colosseum, (2) Forum, (3) Trevi Fountain, (4) Pausini on Steps, and (5) International Academy of Wine
Leave a comment