Day 2 in Rome - Colosseum, Central Rome walking tour

Trip Index

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It was Friday, our second full day in the Eternal City. We booked two tours with Dark Rome: one for the Colosseum and the other for Central Rome ("Best of Rome"). After breakfast, we walked to the tour meeting point adjacent to the Colosseum Metro stop. Lots of people signed up for the tour but there were plenty of guides to go around.

Metro stop

waiting for tour guide assignment

The morning started off very hot; vendors were pushing Asian-style paper umbrellas. During the tour, we were always searching for shade whenever possible. The slightest breeze was most welcomed. It was wise to bring water along, but there were many vendors selling bottled water (may not be cold though!) just in case.

We also received wireless headsets (with brand new earphone) but they didn't work as well as the ones for the Vatican so we had to keep up with our tour guide. There was a lot to see...I'll let the pictures do the talking:

Colosseum exterior

interior walkways

the stadium and the area underneath the floor

staying in the shade

where the Emperor would sit

Roman Forum seen from atop the Colosseum

more of the Forum

the marble was stripped from the walls

group pic courtesy of Frank

After touring the Colosseum, we were led to the Roman Forum next door. The day got hotter and we were scampering for shade. Once in a while, a recorded message blared from loudspeakers warning tourists to keep their belongings close to thwart pickpockets.

We were left at the top of Palatine Hill at the conclusion of our tour; it was kind of strange that the group wasn't led back to the street. We made our way back down to the Metro to head into Central Rome, stopping at Spagna station. We stopped at ReCafe for lunch before our afternoon tour; fortunately they were able to accommodate our large group. It was fast, tasty and the lunch special was well-priced at 10 euro for entree and beverage. (beer was a selection) The "personal pizzas" were so big that you could share.

After our meal, we headed to the tour meeting point and got assigned a tour guide and fitted with headsets...we were used to the drill by now! Again, I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Spanish Steps

S. Andrea delle Fratte church

works of art at the church

Trevi Fountain under repair :(

the repairs will continue until October 2015!

could still throw a coin

walking through Galleria Alberto Sordi

Marcus Aurelius column

St. Ignatius, one of many churches that we visited

stunning interior

trompe l'oeil ceiling (illusion of height!)

can you believe this dome is just painted? (another trompe l'oeil)

Pantheon

inside

hole at the top of the building (oculus)

cordoned off due to yesterday's rain entering the oculus

After touring the Pantheon, the group stopped for an included gelato break.

not an official gelateria

tiny gelato servings

Then we were off to nearby Piazza Navona. There were lots of people hanging out near the fountains and vendors selling arts and crafts. Most of us were just happy to sit on the curb to relieve our tired, aching feet. This was the end of the tour. The bad part about being in central Rome was that it was nowhere near a Metro station...we decided to walk back to our hotel versus taking a cab. There were some sights along the way and we accidentally stumbled upon an incredibly tasty restaurant that happened to have space for our large group since most locals eat very late at night.