Rome - March 2006

Found a fabulous place to stay in Rome, The Roman Rooms, a quiet bed and breakfast flat located near the Metro line.  Breakfast yogurt (and other things) was completely yummy and it was wonderful to have host Tony available to help with local advice in perfect English and Italian. Loved the view into the center of the building's courtyard where everyone had laundry lines and gorgeous blooming cyclamens.

We didn't let the unseasonably chilly weather or pelting rain keep

 us in.  I finally got to see one of my all-time favorite buildings in 

person - Borromini's San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane - a perfect little gem and then found a wonderful surprise in the unbelievable ceiling of Sant'Ignazio. 

Watch your bags closely on the Roman subway, especially on the

 line going to the train station! Because of Rome's well-deserved reputation as a home for

 excellent and multitudinous pick-pockets, I'd been very careful until we headed via Metro to pick up our rental car and was weighed down with luggage and backpacks as well.  When I saw the group of tiny, slightly grubby, pre-teen girls with open topped shoulder bags come on and start moving swiftly through the cars, I had a pretty good guess as to their goal.  Even though I was closely watching the one that was going to pass me, she still managed to unzip the top of my purse and get her hand down to the bottom in seconds with no trouble - I grabbed her hand to make sure she really didn't get anything and the nun next to me gave her a sound yowling.  On the

plus side, my Parisian purse really does foil pickpockets, even if I hadn't grabbed her, she wouldn't have gotten anything.

Rome is a city of history, domes and fountains.  A great strolling city, especially in weather that would allow savoring the outdoor seating areas at the tasty restaurants.  We did most of the other big recognizable name Rome "things": sights, museums, Roman ruins, churches, and all absolutely lived up to their reputation.  Best museum title for me would have to go to Galleria/Villa Borghese because it was more than rooms full of individually lovely items.  The rooms themselves and their decoration worked together like a jewel box setting for the works of Bernini and others.

For more details on what to see in Rome check out this city guide.