ROME, HOTEL RELAIS DE L'OPERA

My one week stay in Hotel Relais de l'Opera  been wonderful. The location, a room with a very comfortable bed and lovely linens, and a very accomodating staff is only the beginning. From the owners, to the front desk staff, kitchen staff (breakfast included), and the maids as well. All have been polite and helpful, always sincerely wanting to please the guests. It's a beautiful, quiet hotel, off the beaten path of tourists and cafes. Yet its central location (15 minute walk to many highlights) makes it easy to get to museums, fountains, the colosseum, Roman forum, the Vatican, train station, and many stores for shopping.  

Since I came, we have had trememly hot weather. Each room has air conditioning, a small refrigerator, and every day the sodas and waters are replenished. Someone is always making sure I know where and how to get to the special places I want to visit. Most of the staff speaks English pretty well, and have been very kind putting up with my Italian, helping me with corrections. 

Since I traveled here alone, they have been particularly kind telling me about restaurants, and cafes for my favorite...espresso, pastries, pasta....of course pizza!

I will miss all of my new friends, especially Alessandro. He has been the one to put up with me chatting on about my day, my blog, my tour that day, or how I got hopelessly lost. I will miss Ylenia, she became a girlfriend in the last few days. I will also miss Luca. Always the crazy joker (pazzo), and always smiling and friendly. Whether you arrive at night and are first greeted by Alessandro, or you arrive in the morning and greeted by Ylenia. They are all wonderful and unforgettable. Grazie per tutti!!

Grazie per il mio meraviglioso soggiorno sono l'hotel.

Sincerely,  Aleta

MY LAST DAY IN ROME

Spanish Embassy with armed guards.

  Spanish Steps.

Tevere River, I sailed earlier in the week with the sisters from South Africa.

I actually think I found an antique store like the ones I frequent in the US. I didn't go in when I shot this photo and then today it was closed. Moral of the story...just do it!

I found this on the wall of a restaurant where I frequented. "Bread, wine and ham are good for everyone." 

Arrivederchi Roma! 🇮🇹

MY WALK TO TREVI FOUNTAIN

Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. It has appeared in many notable films, including Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Theee Coins in the Fountain, and a personal favorite, Under the Tuscan Sun. Though it was mid day, and quite sunny, I was able t capture the beautiful, clear water. There are several security guards about blowing whistles, as no one is allowed to touch the water. Included are photos of my lovely walk finding this treasure.

This little fruit and wine store is a the only building I discovered with these lovely vines growing. 

A sweet little church, one of about 900 churches in Rome.

I was itching to put my hands in that gorgeous water, and my hot and tired feet. But I am very happy they don't allow it...you can see how beautiful it is kept!

Espresso and pastry on the way back to my hotel. Three tiny and precious sips, but delicious!

ROMAN FORUM-PALACE

This tour immediately followed the Colosseum tour. Grateful we got to see more, yes, but I was really dragging. And I love to be stylishly dressed, this was not the trip to worry about looking my best. A rather comical side note, I applied my makeup every day, as I normally do. But it's rather silly because within less than an hour it's dripping off, along with any moisturizer. Did I still start my day with make up? What do you think?! Enjoy the photos and please forgive my lack of information. Also, the photos are best viewed on a large screen.

One bit of fascinating information I do remember, in one of these buildings below was where the government began, over 2,000 years ago! The first senators met here in one of these buildings. It was difficult to understand which building it was, though James, our guide, said behind a tree. There you have it! 

Temple di Romolo, House of Romulus, remember he first twins, Romulus and Remus? The beautiful green door is made of bronze, and is original. James said the lock even works to today. I doubt he has tested it. Thanks goodness for guides, they make a hot and dusty guided tour quite colorful and fun.

THE COLOSSEUM

There's not much for me to say here, I will let my photos tell the story. I did find it fascinating and somewhat sad...so much violence, unimaginable. I asked our guide where were the original walkways, because where we were standing it didn't seem ancient. She said unequivocally, it's all original! Only minor patch work in certain places. 

This photo was taken upon entering. Notice the small green flag in the foreground. This is how we followed our guides, particularly helpful in large crowds. (Guides all had a pole with a colorful scarf or flag.)  You don't want to get too distracted and get separated, like I almost did!

This was a dungeon or prison. Wasn't it all a prison?...was my thought. The long horizontal hole was for the guards to urinate.  

My favorite photo of the Colosseum. I happened to be in a taxi in the evening and grabbed my camera.