Rome, Lazio, ItalyWoke to a better day in Rome today. Great, because it is our last day before leaving Rob and Rena - who have another three days - departing for two days in Paris.
After breakfast, we all headed off on foot to see the Colosseum. It was about a 30 minute walk along the Tiber, which we crossed via Ponte Palatino, below Isola Tiberina. Arriving at Colosseum, the crowds did not look too bad at first, but as we drew closer the queue was a couple of hundred meters long. After standing in line moving slowly inside the structure, we jumped at an offer to go into a shorter queue, by purchasing an English guided tour.
The Colosseum is simply amazing and our guided tour was worth it, not just because of the queue jump, but there is a lot of history and knowledge about its construction, and the interaction with a guide makes for a far more efficient tour, especially if short of time.
We found a local cafe close by for lunch, Hostaria de Nerone. We dined alfresco on the footpath and enjoyed our meal.
On way home, passed the Trajan Forum, an ancient excavation site, and the Altare della Patria (Alter of the Fatherland) known colloquially as the wedding cake. Walking up via Florida we stopped while Susan bought some boots from Marcus Italian Shoes. From there it was a direct route to the Tiber and across Ponte Garibaldi to Trastevere and home.
Before our family left Rome, we wanted to dine at the restaurant just out the door of our Rome accom at Noblemans Loft, Taverna Trilussa. On its wall there were many pictures and photos of celebrities who had dind there. There was also a copy of an ancient drawing of the Tiber and Trastevere, which included Nobleman's Loft. As had become the norm during our Italian holiday, we had drinks and nibbles at the Loft then dined late. It was a great meal, probably the best Italian - for us. Susan took the girls across the road to bed and Rena, Rob, and I followed later.
2025-05-22