"The Eternal City" Rome by cmarsek

My first several days in Rome were wonderful!! The weather was great...perhaps a bit cool, but very pleasant for wandering around the city. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for the last few days I spent in Rome after my travels around Italy. I believe it stopped raining for only a few hours in the afternoon and evening on my last day there. I was not going to let a little rain stop me from continuing my exploration.

If Mother Nature decides to spill on you while in Rome then I guarantee that many a man will be wandering around with umbrellas to sell you. Just never take their first price. I was able to talk a guy down from 10 Euro to 6 Euro on the large size umbrella (and even that was probably too much).

Amazing to find them still standing...even partly

Rome is very much like an open air public museum. Every corner you turn you are bound to find a treasure. Here is a picture of the Roman Imperial Forum. There are two great views of this area 1) the top of the Camplidogia AND 2) the top of Palatine Hill. The ancient buildings and ruins of Rome are also wonderful when lit at night. Take your camera and go exploring. You will love what you find!

From The Top of St. Peter's, Is This Heaven??

Rome is also the center of the Catholic world and boasts an endless number of churches, not to mention St. Peter's Basilica itself. The pope makes his appearances on Sundays and Wednesdays...inside or outside based on the weather.

I also highly recommend you enjoy the view from the cupola, the top of the dome. It truly is breathtaking.

One advantage to all of the churches is that during the afternoon siesta when many of the attractions are closed, they are always open.

• Pros:So Much To See Everywhere You Turn!!
• Cons:To find a bathroom...you must find a bar
• In a nutshell:An ancient city that lives on in so many ways...