When in Rome.

Back in Rome after the beautiful Amalfi, the step counter on my wrist has been going off the scale in the past few days with an average of 25-30,000 steps a day. Rome is a relatively easy city to walk around. What looks like a long distance on the maps is generally no more than a half hour stroll. Fortunately the streets are more or less flat. It's only when you get to the monuments, castles, ruins, and of course the Spanish Steps that the knees start to scream "no more, por favoure". 

I returned to the Roman Forum and Colleseum for a new perspective. Unlike the first time many years ago where we only viewed the Forum from the outside,  getting down in amongst the buildings and ruins gave a much better understanding of what it was all about centuries ago. Despite the crowds, it was easy to move around the ruins taking time to read about the people - the Iives they lived; the amazing construction they undertook and what amused them. Not necessarily politically correct by today's standards. 

The Castel Sant' Angelo was another wonderful place to explore with its fascinating history of long heard about emperors and hideaways for papal exiles, not to mention the wonderful 360 views over Rome. Surprisingly, a good quality cafe with reasonable prices allows you to relax for while and take in the scenery after climbing the inevitable hundreds of steps getting from top to bottom. 

It was five years ago that I celebrated my 50th birthday with wonderful family and friends in the magnificent Villa Stommennano just outside of Siena and so here I am again for another birthday in Italy. This time it was a quiet celebration with new friends. I had received an email from the rail agent I booked the Rome/Naples ticket with, regarding a Prosecco tasting they were holding at Rome's central train station. Not one to say "No" to a glass or two of bubbles, I invited Jen and Chris (who I am cruising with) and their friends Jane and Harley to join me.  After enjoying a selection of Prosecco wines and learning some more about the different tastes of this Italian "champagne", I was called up by the organiser for a chorus of Tanti Auguri!  Thanks Jen for secretly mentioning to the organisers that it was my birthday. Then it was off to the pub for a drink and bite to eat.  

They say the Scalinata di Spagna or Spanish Steps is the place to sit and watch the world go by. But more likely it is a time to watch the tourists taking selfies, the touts selling their wares of cold water, wine or beer, FLO's (flying luminous objects), scarves, and an endless supplies of selfie sticks - just in case you didn't bring your own. A better place to observe the true world of Rome was in the gardens of Villa Borghese. Here the local Romans are out before their late dinners, strolling along the wide paths, sometimes with their dogs, rolling blading, drinking at the cafes, or heading to a play at the replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. As always time was too short to enjoy this huge and delightful area. Walking back to the Spanish Steps just as the sun was setting, we were able to savour the lovely views over the Piazza del Popolo and the St Paul's Basilica. 

Jen and Chris on the wide car less streets of the Borghese gardens. 

Good night from Rome.