The bronze head of Constantine

Well we have now been in Italy for a week and are off to Florence tomorrow.  There is so much to see and do here in Rome that I really don't know where to start.  So far we have spent several days in Rome seing the more popular sights and ancient ruins.  We have also gone to the beach a few times which is basically the entire coast.  It is a very popular spot to go for the locals as it is so hot through the day many people go to the beach after work to cool off.  Sunday is a day where Lunch is the big meal and we indulged at a great restarant near Ann's house with a traditional Italian feast.  I must say the food hear so far has been fantastic and lots of it.  Prior to lunch Ann, Betty and myself went to Tivoli which is about 45 minutes east of Rome in the foothills.  It is a villa from ancient times and has been preserved.  I'm not much of a gardner but even I was impressed by the size, opulence, architecture of the place. 

More time was spent in Rome which included a walk to the Trevi fountain.  I can see why people flock to it from around the world.  It is truly a must see when in Rome. It was busy but we managed to get up close for lots of cool pictures.  A visit to the Pantheon was also in order and was extremely cool.  It is the most well preserved ancient ruin in Rome and is very humbling to walk inside and take in the sheer magnitude of the place.  Another must see.  

A walk along the Tevere (Tibor) river was also in order.  It's dirty but what do you expect from thousands of years of Romans going potty. 

Today we went to the Catacombe's of St Sabastian near the center of Rome.  That was also one of the coolest places I had been to in a while.  We saw tombs that were 2000 years old and learned that there is over 7 miles of tunnels that have been excavated in the Catacombe's with 100,000 people buried there.  The final resting place of St Sabastian is in the church which has a marble statue carved at the base of his tomb.  St Sabastian was a Christian martyr and was killed by the Romans. 

View of Rome

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow we are off to Florence, Pisa, and Lucca and then we are headed to Tuscany area to go to a Roman bath.  On the weekend we are going to the Aquaduct park.  Next week Venice.  Lots to do and see over the next several days.  Hot here 39c the other day.  Enjoy the pics and yes Sue your comments were added. 

The Pantheon