We woke up at 7:00 hoping to get going early to try to get entry tickets before the big crowds. We leave at 8:30 and it’s about a 20 minute walk. It’s already looking like a zoo. We get talked into buying a tour. The advantage is that there is no line up for purchasing a ticket, and no line up to get in. It also included walking down on the lower level, which really wasn’t a big deal. The negative of course as that you pay for the little perks. Anyway, we get an English speaking guide who is just ok. We have had some amazing guides in Italy but he would make the bottom of the list. He knew his stuff, but was very monotone. The tour lasts an hour and then we are on our own for a little over an hour as the tour to the forums only starts at 11:30. So we walk around, take pictures and read the info boards.
Looking down where the Gladiators and animals would have been kept
Looking down from the third level
Another cool archway
On the new partial floor.
Looking from the cop of the forum
Another view overlooking the forum
This is the last section left of what used to be the largest building in Roman times. Only one third remains.
Arch of Constantine
We get our tour from a very animated guide for the forum. He is British but has been living in Italy for 17 yrs or so. He is funny and entertaining. He leads us through the forum pointing out the different remains, arches, etc. After one hour we are left to wander on our own. We walk around and visit the Temple of Romulus, the supposed creator of Rome.
This is the atemple of Romulus
Inside the Temple, there are some frescoes
Column outside of the Temple. Very rare purple type of stone from Egypt.
We have enough of the forum and Colosseum around 1:00 and start walking toward the Pantheon. We walk pass the Trevi Fountain which is just as crowded as it was the other day. We see other venues that we saw before. There is a queue for the Pantheon, but it only takes a few minutes to get to the entrance. It’s a church of sorts so it’s free to enter. There are pews and statues of Jesus, Mary, and others. There are also frescoes.
This is just above the altar in the Pantheon
We decide to head back for some down time. It is now around 2:45. We stop for a gelato along the way as there is only one more opportunity after today. We share a Straciatella and Pistachio combo. We get back around 4:00 just before the downpour. The 60% chance of rain has arrived.
We go out at 7:00 to try out a new restaurant. Just opened today. It’s raining and it’s close so we are off to be guinea pigs. I order a salad and a spaghetti and Ron has a pizza. The salad is ok, considering that Italians are not the best at preparing salads. My spaghetti was not what I expected - plain with cheese and black pepper. I thought that the pepper would be sweet peppers. Ron’s pizza was just ok, not like what we’ve been eating in the last few weeks. Finally Ron ordered Tiramisu, to compare to last night’s dessert. No chance to compare as they are out. He orders a crème brulé instead. For 5 Euros, it’s a meager little thing. Anyway, supper is done and we will not post this restaurant on Trip Advisor. On our way home we still hear music coming from the staging area so we go to check it out. We recognize the song as we are walking closer. It’s Noel Gallagher from the group Oasis. The other groups/singers are Italian. It’s a free May Day concert that happens every year. No photos because I did not have my camera. We are back now and are looking forward to going to the Vatican in the morning.
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