Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain
Trip Start
Apr 13, 2011
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6
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Trip End
Apr 30, 2011
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Our group has arrived and today we are venturing out for our first excursions. We are meeting our guide Maria Elena at 9 AM and then are off to see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain.
The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district. Of course, we had to toss in a Coin for our wishes to come true. The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain, which we did.
Now we are enjoying a lunch at the Gladiatore Restaurant and then we are going back to the hotel. In the afternoon we are going on a walking excursions with Michela our Group Leader. We are walking to the famous Spanish Steps Rome. The piazza, church and famous Scalinata Spagna (Spanish Steps) have long provided a gathering place for foreigners. Built with a legacy from the French in 1725, but named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See (which is still located in the piazza), the steps lead to the French church, Trinità dei Monti. In the 18th century the most beautiful women and men of Italy gathered here, waiting to be chosen as an artist’s model. Spanish Steps Rome in May each year the steps are decorated with pink azaleas. It is a fabulous place to see young people hang around and just to absorb Roman life.
Piazza di Spagna Rome.
In the piazza is the boat-shaped fountain called the Barcaccia, believed to be by Pietro Bernini, father of the famous Gian Lorenzo. The Viale della Trinità dei Monti at the top of the steps leads to the Pincio. Half way along the road on the right is the Villa Medici, perhaps Rome’s best piece of real estate with undoubtedly one of the city’s best views. The palazzo was built for Cardinal Ricci da Montepulciano in 1540. Ferdinando dei Medici bought it in 1576 and it remained his family’s property until Napoleon acquired it in 1801, when the French Academy was transferred here. The academy was founded in 1666 to provide talented French artists, writers and musicians – Prix de Rome winners – an opportunity to study and absorb the enormous classical heritage that Rome offered.
We have a free evening tonight and celebrated with stuffing ourselves with fabulous icecream. We need to pack tonight as we are leaving early for Vatican and then to ship.
Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.
