Piazza del Popolo

Holding myself together after the Zabione episode, we walk onwards towards Piazza Popolo

Priestly Preta Porter - Via dei Cestari

It was the last day and yet I still discovered something new.

Found a Richard Chamberlain Thorn Bird costume in the shop window of this extraordinary shop just beside the Pantheon. Oh wait a minute, this isn't a studio set, this is the real thing ! 

I'm standing on Via dei Cestari with my jaw wide open thinking

" sooooo....this is where they get their priest robes from  " 

Angelo Feroci - the beautiful butcher

A macelleria is an Italian butcher shop. There are plenty of butcher shops stocked with amazing produce piled in the what may be some of the most attractive way, all around Rome but what sets Angelo Feroci apart is apparently the beautiful butcher's inside. Yes beautiful, gorgeous butcher's ...you heard right.

Saint Camillus - Church of St.Mary Magdalene

Saint Camillus is the patron saint to the sick. He founded the Camillians and this Baroque style church which took 70 years to complete, holds his relics. 

Pasticceria & Gelateria dei Gracchi - mini zabione

Had no inkling that this was a branch of what was reputed to be the best old school gelateria's in Rome. What brought me in was a Tripadvisor sticker on the shop window

Ginger with lemon gelato - Punto Gelato

Punto Gelato serves gelato as good as those found at Cremeria Monteforte just outside The Pantheon.

At least to me that is, however a quick Google reveals that the owner is a Gelato Master who's a stickler for using only the finest natural ingredients that enhance the robust or creamy flavours to such an extent, you might even wonder why you bothered eating French sorbets before this.

3 coins in the Trevi is no joking matter.

Every day 3,000 Euros worth of coins are thrown into the Trevi. Even when it's dry. Why ? Because if you throw 1 coin in, it is said that you will return. I did. But I kinda screwed up on my return trip.

Speculating on Bond's Spectre - Rome shooting location

Even before a dollar of the $60 million allocated to Rome alone is spent, I was busy getting all speculative and presumptous. Making our way up to this top landing we set out in search of the speculated Bond trail which is rumoured to have something to do with Via delle Quattro Fontane .  

I just don't "get" the Spanish Steps

Probably one of the more overrated attractions in Rome to me . Never fully understood what was so fascinating about sitting on the Spanish Steps. Frankly, I think pounding the luxury boutique filled street or queueing for pasta at Pastificio is more exciting than sitting here . Still, I am going to give this another go just to see what it is I'm not getting .  

Look what I found at the Fountain of the Old Boat

Located at the bottom of the Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna, there is an interesting story behind the fountain . In 1598, the Tiber overflowed its banks and this Piazza was flooded in a meter of water . After the flood waters subsided, an old boat was left behind. Pope Urban VII then commissioned the fountain to be built.

Restoration at the Colosseum

Ever wondered why every photo with the Colosseum at the back turns out a certain way lately ?

It's because of restoration works and ugly hoardings along the way.

On foot to the Colosseum

Vittorio Emanuele , Trajan's Column , Via Alessadrina , Julius Caesar's bronze statue and the Roman Forums are all within walking distance of each other. The Colosseum looks like that too when in fact it's further than it seems. 

Like when you see an island from the boat and it takes longer to get there than you anticipated.

Along the way, we passed by a thriving street filled with cafes. First shop on the corner.

Why'd she stop to smell the begonias ?

As I was snapping away, this little cherub broke away , just to take a whiff at this planter full of begonias.

Pair of legs in the back there belong to her parents.

Via Alessandrina

This insignificant looking walkway is a small part of the original Via Alessandrina built in 1570, which was the first planned road system, in Rome.

Trajan's Column

Again, I have Tripadvisor app to thank for not glossing over this underrated attraction. By merely downloading the city of Rome into my cellphone, I was able to access other traveller's reviews even without a net connection .

Pastificio - room standing picnic with pasta on styrofoam plates

Amazing scenes greet you, once you locate this pasta shop.  Your first clue will be people standing round street corners eating pasta from white styrofoam plates.

People used to take their plates over to the Spanish Steps to enjoy. Now, you are not allowed to do that. That makes the shop easier to find. 

Gladiator territory

There's a gladiator waiting round almost every major tourist attraction corner in Rome.

If you are unfortunate enough to meet some aggressive ones, merely pointing your camera at them will make them rush up to you and demand payment for the photo you've just taken. And the fee is not cheap ok ? 

Vittorio Emanuele II Monument

The best thing about Rome is ,no matter how fast the drivers may be going, they will always stop for pedestrians who want to cross the road even if there is no proper designated road crossing. Even if you cross illegally . Even if the traffic light says green for the motorist. They will stop . Just for you.

Twizy vs tram outside the Ducati Caffe

By now, you would have already heard that they're introducing the Twizy in Putrajaya. Geared specifically towards tourists, I wonder if they ever anticipated this scenario.

Twizy vs Tram.

Who will win ?

Bar Paninoteca aka Golden Bar aka Bar Crociferi -Piazza Crociferi's cheat restaurant uses different names

Update : No wonder I couldn't find any bad reviews on tripadvisor initially. When bad reviews go up, they merely change names ! 

Bar Paninoteca is also know as Golden Bar , Bar Crociferi and they have cheated countless customers. Including €3 out of muah. Beware and stay off this piazza. 

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Situated on one of the quieter lanes , at a small piazza just off the Trevi Fountain, we scanned the prices on the menu found outside the shop before walking in.