Rome at Night

Our kids, Jacquelyn, Jennifer and Jonathon finally arrived in Rome.  All baggage arrived safe and sound, kids were exhausted but finally with Mom and Dad so we celebrated with Italian Bellini’s (champagne and peach nectar).  Our first adventure was a Rome By Night tour given by Mom. 

First stop was Campo de’ Fiori.  In the middle of the plaza is a statue of Giordano Bruno, an intellectual heretic who was burned at the stake on this spot in 1600.  We were all starving so we found a local pizzeria and enjoyed our dinner together. 

Off to Piaza Navona.  This plaza is home to three fountains, one of which is Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers whose four cornerstones represent the four great rivers known at the time it was built in 1650 ( the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube and the Della Plata in Uruguay).  This is also the area where artists hang out and will paint your portrait or caricature.  We scoped out the artists we liked and the next day Jonathon had a portrait done with charcoal.  It only took 20 minutes, cost 45 Euro and drew quite the crowd…but it is a souvenir of a lifetime.

 

Next we strolled to the Pantheon.  It was not opened but we stood and stared at the granite columns and the huge entry doors which weigh 20 tons a piece.  I was a bit disappointed in that it wasn’t as lit up as I had expected. 

Oh, the Trevi Fountain.  The kids were disappointed that it isn’t very old (only finished in 1762) but they thought it was amazing.  We all threw our coins in over our shoulders to ensure our future return.  It was about 10:30 pm and the area was jam packed with tourists. 

Our tour ended at The Spanish Steps.  The Piazza di Spagna is named for the Spanish Embassy which has been here for over 300 years.  Very crowded.  We hiked all the way up to catch the metro but it was closed so we had to climb back down and hail a taxi…75 Euro…so from now on, it is the bus, train, metro mode of transportation.  These pictures were taken the next day as we passed it again.