Gallimaufry#64

 Day 2 — Rome

 Colosseum

Arch of Constantine

Roman Forum

Statue of Julius Caesar

Victor Emmanuel II Monument

Equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II

Trevi Fountain

Fontana della Barcaccia

People actually drink the water from the fountain!

Spanish Steps

Despite a fine of €250, people were still sitting on the steps!

As of 2019, a ban has been introduced to prevent tourists from sitting on the 135 steps, spanning from the Trinita de' Monti to the Piazza di Spagna. A hefty fine of €250 awaits anyone spotted using the steps as a resting place, enforced by whistle-wielding, high-vis-wearing officials patrolling the area by day.

Me and our Italian guide Donatella

According to our guide, there are more than 2000 piazzas in Rome itself! Italian piazzas, or squares, are the heart and soul of every Italian town and city. Big or small, humble or opulent, there is always something to admire — a fountain, a statue, an obelisk, a monument, a Christmas tree, etc.

Piazza del Popolo

Flaminio Obelisk

The Twin Churches

In Piazza del Popolo, two identical churches stand beside each other. The Santa Maria dei Mircoli and the Santa Maria in Montesanto are known as The Twin Churches because of their identical exterior structures.

Fontana del Nettuno

Trevi District

Via del Babuino

The street was named after Babuino, the statue of Silenus, who was half man, half goat in Greek mythology. The statue was thought to be very ugly and compared to a baboon. It was thus nicknamed Babuino (Romanesco for "baboon"). It joins Rome’s other talking statues, where people leave pasquinades (nasty notes) directed at public figures. This is a tradition that has continued even today.

Fendi Baguette Bag Christmas Tree Installation

Eating gelato is one of the many joys of traveling in Italy!