DAY 2: LET THE GAMES BEGIN
TOUR HIGHLIGHT:
WOW MOMENTS SITE SUMMARY: Colosseum, Forum, Victor Emmanuel Monument, Spanish Steps LUNCH: Cafe on top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument DINNER: Chef's Extravaganza at Ristorante il Gabriello SLEEPING: Hotel Nardizzi Americana HELPFUL TIP: For just a few Euros per person, take the Rome from the Sky elevator for amazing views from the top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument. |
TOUR HIGHLIGHT: WOW MOMENTS
The day began with a metro ride to the Colloseum. Coming out of the metro stop was possibly our first “Wow!” moment. As you emerge from underground, you’re greeted by an up close view of a 2000+ year old amphitheater! Just next door is the Forum. This was the city center of ancient Rome with temples, arches, columns, and the place where Caesar’s body was cremated.
The afternoon was free to do as we chose - so we headed next door to the Victor Emmanuel Monument. It's often called the Wedding Cake or Typewriter and stands out from it's surroundings because it's so large and bright white. The monument on the top of Capitoline Hill celebrates the Kingdom of Italy and was completed in the early 1900s. Up front is a tomb of an unknown soldier. We chose to view Rome from the top by taking the Rome from the Sky elevator up. At about mid-level, we found a great roof-top cafe for lunch. Can you imagine ancient room in it's original form? The Colosseum and Forum were once clad with sparkling marble as the Victor Emmanuel Monument appears today.
For dinner, we chose a recommendation from the guidebook: The Chef's Extravaganza at Ristorante il Gabriello. This is basically a chef's choice where you select seafood, meat, or both. Several courses are delivered and explained and you get the best of the best of what's available that day. Everything delivered to our table was fabulous! Just a few blocks from the Spanish steps made an evening stroll back to the hotel quite enjoyable.
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