The following morning we set out after our complimentary breakfast of fresh croissants, yogurt, fruit and delicious cappuccino. Our bed and breakfast was comfortable and well appointed and the cappuccinos were delicious! The previous morning it had taken us about 5 minutes to walk to the tour company and the Vatican City was about a 10 minute walk away from there.
After breakfast we decided to take an Uber to the Pantheon, we were dropped off on the outskirts of the Piazza Della Rotunda and made our way in.
The grandeur of the Pantheon exceeded my expectations, who would have thought that the massive windowless structure would house such beauty and feel so spacious and cool ? every inch of wall was a work of art in itself and some of the intricate decor glowed as though inlaid with precious metal. The oculus in the massive dome, the intricate drainage system; the massive columns, beautiful marble floors and walls; the magnificence of the tombs – the Pantheon is truly an architectural marvel!
Leaving the Pantheon, we set off to find the Trevi Fountain. I enjoyed walking along the narrow cobbled streets bordered on both sides by tall imposing facades. I marveled that the Romans who built these amazing edifices without benefit of modern day mechanics, once walked these very streets! We made our way to the Trevi Fountain and I was happy that it was less crowded than the previous night.
The fountain is magnificent! I felt as though I could stand and stare at it for hours and never truly feel like I’d seen it properly. I’d seen it in movies but I never actually thought I’d be standing there in the bright sunshine gazing at the beautiful sculptures and hearing the roar of the water. I was not surprised to see that coins glittered in the bottom of the fountain. I made sure mine joined the others there although I’m such an idiot, I never remember to wish for anything when I throw a coin in a fountain or blow out birthday candles – I’m all about the symbolism!
To be continued…
