Rome

Cappuccino and cornetto

Caravaggio painting

Roman Forum

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica inside

Rome was a mix of beauty and chaos!  When I was there 43 years ago, it was a calm place with no entry fee to the Roman Forum, Coliseum  etc.  Now there are 4 hour long lines and sold out tickets to museums!  Never saw so many people in one place before.  So, some items from our trip:

1.  The Good:
Sunshine every day and pleasant temps in the afternoon (some strong winds)
Getting tickets on-line to the Vatican Museum and not having to wait for 4 hours!
The food!  Some good and some really great…the wine always great!
Hotel was on the famous antique row - Via Coronari - in a building with 3 hotel rooms - felt like a local!
Being able to get into restaurants for dinner because of our American habit of eating before 7 pm!
Having lunch with the Dad and Step-Mom of good friend Mary Kercher near their apartment.

2.  The Bad:
All streets were black stones about 4 inches square.  Taxi rides were bumpy and walking was hard.
Not getting into the Coliseum because of 4 hour lines.
Spending 20 euros on taxi to get to the Borghese Gallery to find out the tickets were sold out!

Hotel and courtyard

Having to walk extreme distances to and in sites.

3.  The Ugly:
John getting stiffed by taxi driver of 40 euros!
Shirley having small wallet in small purse stollen on packed bus by an Eastern European who was distracting! (luckily it was only 20 euros and credit cards were stopped immediately)

Hotel Room with a View (church)

Marche de Fiori

Prosciutto!

John and Bruce with cookies from our Kerdruc neighbors

Mosaics!

Ceiling of the Vatican Museum

Pantheon at night

Lunch with Mary Kercher's Dad and Step-Mom