With only a quick weekend in Rome, I knew I needed to prioritize. St. Peter's Bascilica and the Vatican museums did not disappoint their elevated status on my itinerary. The view from the top of the Cupola set the scene for the rest of the weekend. And no matter how many people pack into the Sistine Chapel, there really is no bad perspective to take in Michelangelo's masterpiece (although it was quite entertaining to have the Vatican museum personnel constantly shushing people, yelling not to take pictures, and then catching people breaking those two rules and escorting them quickly out of the museum).
After leaving the museums, I turned back toward Termini and set my sights on walking through as many piazzas and by (or in) as many landmarks on my way. Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon with a couple stops in cafes, pizzarias, and ristorantes, highlighted this walk. Along the way I met a few people from Czech (a great part about traveling alone is how quickly you meet new people) who I joined for dinner and drinks -- and toured with the next day).
Sunday was filled with Ancient Rome -- the Colleseo, Palatino, Roman Forum, Circus Massimo, Tiber River. With the aid of an active imagination, the collective ruins recreates the Rome of Caeser. "Oh my God, I'm in Rome," moments punctuated this stroll around the ancient quarter -- every corner turned reveals columns, facades, and monuments echoing a life I studied in high school Ancient Civ. An amazing trip from start to finish -- I threw a coin in the Trevi -- I hope the myth proves true.
