The first time I went to Rome was a decade ago and it was 105 (40c) degrees Fahrenheit. It was hard to appreciate much of anything while squinting through the haze and rubbing shoulders with a thousand tourists. Still, the Sistine Chapel made me cry, and the Colleseum lived up to the hype. It’s a beautiful structure and worth any aggravation to see it. Why? It’s one of those rare antiquities where you can actually touch it, wrap your arms around it, feel the history seep in, and no one will shoot you for doing so.
This time, I was shocked with pleasure at how cool was Rome. There were a couple afternoon drizzles (very unique for we Arizonians) and a breeze followed us around in 67 – 75-degree temperatures. Our group split up and we walked at our leisure from one side of Rome to the other, rambling through side streets and neighborhoods with energy and fascination. We frequently stopped to have a drink and people watch. We consumed pizza and pasta, and for the fashion conscious pair in my life, I bought Italian shoes for my son and designer sunglasses for my daughter-in-law. I was surprised how much fun I had in Rome.
Here are a few shots of our four days there. Which one do you like best?
Cindy Bruchman 
I am going with anything to do with The Colosseum. That remains one of the best things I have ever seen on my travels, simply because it didn’t disappoint, and was even better than I had ever imagined. I was close to tears when I finally stood inside it, truthfully.
Nice to see you too of course, in the photo with Jim.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Thanks, for saying so, Pete. I agree. Day or night, inside or out, it just takes your breath away. When we stumbled around a bend and there it was, trying to be ordinary, a part of the city like any other building, it made me blink with incredulity.
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I enjoyed the Trevi Fountain because of the movies featuring it. To see the Collosseum in person would be awesome, Cindy!
I particularly liked the inside the Collosseum photo.
The Sistine Chapel’s hall ceiling was superbly captured. Simply magnificent!
I know the family will like your classy, designer souvenirs! ✨
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Hi Robin! Thank you very much for stopping by to comment today. I’m giving the shoes to my son tomorrow. I hope he likes them. The whole trip was magical.
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The hall ceiling leading up to the Sistine Chapel was gorgeous. I ended up not completely saying this the way it should have been expressed, Cindy.
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Oh, stop, you’re good! 😉
The Vatican and the Renaissance artists who left their mark Rome captured the meaning behind the word ‘grandiose’. Too much for the eyes!
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You always ask which one do you like best, as if that were even possible! 🙄😀
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What you pick reveals a lot about a person. That is why. 😉
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ah. I have revealed myself to be polyphotographical.
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You have revealed yourself to be one with taste. :0
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Wonderful photographs! Hard to pick out just one…The view of the Ponte Sisto and the portrait of Jim and Cindy!
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I was impressed with the bridges and the river running underneath them. It’s very atmospheric and adds to the beauty of Rome. Thanks, Rafael for stopping by!
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What were the toppings on the pizza?
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Mine was ham and eggs and the opposite side was topped with mushrooms. (I didn’t know what I was ordering. Never would have thought to put eggs on top of a pizza. The crust was soft and delicious.
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Ham and egg p[zza is a concept which for some strange and indeterminate reason intrigues me. Can you remember what type of ham it was and what type of cheese?
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Italian ham cubed — like breakfast ham or the leg. The cheese is Mozzarella and Romano blend. Not a lot like how we do it in the states. Their sauce is pureed tomatoes — fresh and without a lot of ingredients. We over-season the Italian food we eat. Nothing beats simple and fresh. 🙂
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I know that type of tomato sauce. It is very simple and very easy.
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So many wonderful things to see and taste! Bet they know how to make a pizza over there.
That fountain and the colosseum are awesome.
Do you ever get the feeling you’ve been there before?
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Hi JC. No, not like some people who feel like they’ve been reincarnated and are “home” when in Rome. I see the architecture, the columns and the buildings and bridges and feel like I’ve seen them everywhere–the sphere of influence the Roman empire had on cities throughout the world.
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They’re amazing pics but my favourite is you and Jim.
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Awww. I am reluctant to include pictures of me and Jim, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to prove we were really there. 😉
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Great post Cindy 🙂 I love all those pictures of Rome. Not only are they exquisite, but they feel atmospheric as well 🙂 I hope that makes sense 🙂 I always love coming to this blog because of the friendly atmosphere not only from the comments, but also from you yourself 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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Thank you, John! I appreciate your attendance. I’m happy you like my pictures. It’s a fun hobby. Cheers!
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All of them are superb. You have such a great camera eye. And what a great trip you and Jim are on. I am partial to the hall ceiling but they all make me wish I had visited that wonderful city.
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Thank you, my friend! We all had a wonderful time. I was apprehensive and surprised at how much fun I had prowling the streets and experiencing the sections of Rome. Add to the eternal beauty of the architecture and the easy-to-consume food, well, it was great.
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I liked the Jim and Cindy pic too 🙂 Ian
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Thank you, Ian. Though methinks Michelangelo and Raphael would be disappointed.
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Rocambolesco Roma! Incredible photographs, but of them all Pizza and Peroni appeals most to me.
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They were delish. Thanks, Paul!
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