Forty years have passed since we were last here, laden with our backpacks. The American Express office we walked by was our place to pick up mail, but today it is simply a travel agency. What hasn’t changed are the bustle of Vespas and little Fiat 500s. While preseason, the streets are filled with tourists and Italian school groups. Massive archaeological remnants of the Roman Empire are everywhere. Roma is still enchanting.
Today we were gifted by our travel agent with a full day tour that was a twist on the expected. Entitled “Roman Holiday”, it blended the sights of the famous Katherine Hepburn/ Gregory Peck movie. Our 90 minute coach ride from the Civitavecchia port dropped us at the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon before we finally took a break from our stroll at a 60+ flavor gelato stand- all actual points from the film. Next was a stop at Palazzo Brancaccio, which was where the opening scene of the movie took place. Finally a break, for an enormous traditionally Italian lunch at Cecilla Metella Restaurant, where the two actors would go to hide from paparazzi. The afternoon included catching a glimpse of the Colosseum, Vatican and Roman Forum before ending the day, exhausted, at the pier.
“Adults are always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up ‘cause they’re looking for ideas.” –Paula Poundstone
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