Location | Malu Bed & Breakfast – Rome

Today has probably been the best and fullest day we’ve had thusfar. It started out at 9am. We had breakfast made by our lovely hostess Maria. I really want an Italian grandmother – she’s amazing! Super nice and so gracious about making sure we had a good breakfast before we left the B&B.

Started with a croissant filled with custard, also a strawberry yogurt and homemade cappuccino! We also made some new friends who we might go to Pompeii with… but not sure yet of the plans.

Well we started the day by hiking out to the Colosseum & the Palatine. We entered the Palatine first to look at all the ruins and the Roman Forum. It was a very sunny (and cloud-less) day, which meant that it was also very hot. There was a breeze, which was excellent in the shade.

Ngoc decided to play tour guide and make stuff up about some of the ruins. We also climbed into some parts of the ruins that were probably off-limits, but no one was watching… so it’s not “illegal” until someone says you can’t do it right?

After the Palatine we went to the Colosseum. I was surprised at how unimpressed I was with the interior. Perhaps I was expecting something much grander? I guess it was impressive – size, history, etc etc, but I think that because I was hungry I was a little cranky.

We walked toward the Pantheon after the Colosseum, but stopped in at a random cafe to eat. This was around 3pm, so the cafe was empty. Many locals stopped in and they all seemed to know one another. We both ordered salads which were HUGE!

Also, one of the regulars took it upon himself to take our orders. Then when we were taking pictures, he decided he wanted to pose with Ngoc and even give her a kiss!

After lunch, it was off to the Pantheon. I was really impressed with this building — the large hole in the dome left me with my greatest question: “What happens when it rains?” Luckily my tour book cleared it up when it said that there were drains right under the hole in the dome in the marble floor.

The most exciting part was our first trip to the gelateria! We went to one recommended in the tour book – Cremeria Monteforte. I ordered melon & strawberry. Ngoc got pistachio and another flavour I can’t remember at the moment – I’ll change this later. Can I say — WOW!? New York gelati just can’t compare.

Afterwards we made our way toward Piazza Navona. There is a beautiful fountain there as well as the Sant’Agnese in Agone church. The church was amazingly intricate inside, but no pictures allowed, so I don’t have anything to show for it.

After the Piazza, we walked toward Trevi fountain, but as we walked by we saw another famous gelataria  – Giolitti. Yes, we did go in and get another HUGE serving of gelati – I got pear and mango. Ngoc got coconut and chocolate. The server also put a huge pile of whipped cream on top.

I am in love. I must learn how to make gelato!

We then walked to Trevi Fountain where we made our wishes. Ngoc made 4  with coins from Hungary & Czech and the Euro & a US Penny. I made 2 with a 20 cent Euro & a Czech Koruna. We sat for awhile before deciding that we’d also do the Spanish Steps.

So then we strolled to the Spanish Steps which were crowded with people. The whole city is currently filled with tourists, but no matter how many tourists, it’s still a lovely city to be in.

We sat at the steps for awhile before walking the mile or two back to our b&b (but not before picking up some doner kebab).

Now I’m uploading Rome Day 1 – A Selection on Flickr.