Rome on foot in one night

Right in front of the Pantheon , lies the Piazza della Rotonda. 

The labyrinth of lanes and roads from here serve as network of shortcuts that lead you quickly to yet another wonderful people drawing piazza.

I can understand why the Mayor of Rome got so mad at the Brits . This part of Rome is so walkable and quite safe ! There are so many tourists even after dark, plus on most every tourist area, you can find some of the most approachable Polizia I've come across, you've almost got nothing to worry about. We took a slow and leisurely walk without map or guide, covered 3 piazzas including this, in one night with minimal effort.

Dotted with loads of restaurants , this fountain with the obelisk is the focal point where one can just sit on the stairs .

You can enjoy free spring water wherever you see these hydrant type of water sprouts in Rome.

The small metal bucket on the left side is for horses , so please do not wash your bottle or dip it there unless you don't mind sharing of course

Have seen some people fill up their water bottles at the fountain near the Spanish Steps but none so far over in this piazza.

Gladiators.

These days they're much friendlier , more "persuasive" and not so pushy . On my last trip I encountered some who were so filthy and drunk half the time, they were so aggressive, rushing over to demand money out of those who dared point a camera in their direction.

Here we were drawn to the first of many amazing street musicians. 

A trishaw peddler flashes us a friendly smile.

Second stop.

Piazza Navona. 

Four times bigger than Piazza Della Rotonda, there are 2 fountains , one of which is the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, 1 obelisk and a mini basillica.

Great atmosphere fringed by great dining options and a vibrant feel , until it was broken by a horrible sound.

Enter the culprit.

Personally, this street performer who was pretending to be a baby in a pram, was as annoying as a shrieking cat in the middle of the night but there were many who found him funny.  

Last one. 

Piazza di Campo de Fiori .

Farmers market this and as it is, there's still 2 or 3 flower stalls open. 

In the middle is an Assassin Creed like statue of a friar called Giordano Bruno , who was burned at the stake right in this very square. Yeah, that's the spot. 

He was a free thinking philosopher/cosmologist/astrologist who was branded a heretic during the Roman Inquisition. 

Wanted to sit at the base but an overzealous truck came sloshing left , right and center , thus we made an early exit rather than just hang around and people watch.

Making our way now into this very lively lane filled with small, hip little boutiques. Chuck the map.

Go with the flow. 

There's a DJ in the boutique ?

Nice ! 

Don't cower in your room after dark, get your ass down into the streets , and enjoy Rome as it should be .

You don't know what you're missing if you don't. 

Me, as I was sitting in Navona, I got a little pissed. Why'd I let the net influence me to such an extent. I should have gotten here sooner !

Location : Rome, Italy