You Only Live Once: Viva la Roma!

Awesome massive backdrop of the Collosseum

Rome has always been a personal favorite city of mine since I was 12 years old, that was the first time I went to Rome for a family holiday! Yeap, I was just a kid at that time and that trip got me bitten by the artsy bug. Even though I loved painting at a young age, I started reading about art history and admiring the statues at museums, cathedrals and old architecture details. It intrigues me till this day.

Anyways, I just got back a few days ago from my awesome vacation in Rome!! It was as many say, picturesque and delightful in many ways. The scenery and vistas surrounding the city area were magnificent; it reminded me of the ancient days with cobbled streets and lanterns, wooden panel windows and 17^th century buildings next to early 1^st century remains of great edifice.

It was one word: beautiful.

Since I’ve taken tons of photos, I’m just going to describe and show you guys a couple.

Me and my dad didn’t take any tours during this trip, because we seldom do. My dad plays his role as tour guide and companion, with a keen eye for direction and traveler's instincts he makes the perfect guide.

We walked majority of the time, and I was wearing heeled boots! (never do so!)But after a long day walking on uneven pebbles and streets I end the day with a hot foot massage to ease the pain and lessen the blisters.

The Colosseum is Rome’s greatest amphitheatre built by the emperor Vespasian in 72 A.C. The structure is the greatest in Roman architecture and engineering, originally capable of seating around 80,000 spectators; the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, and re-enactments of famous battles.

The Colosseo lit at Night *so magical*

In Sepia *cool rite?*

The Spanish Steps remains the most famous square in Rome, and believe me Rome has many squares! It has 138 steps and the fountain of the Barcaccia, work of famous artist Bernini located in the middle.

I saw the amount of shoppers and tourists snapping photos and walking down the street crowded with only high-end brands and expensive clothing like Gucci, DKNY, Chanel, Coach, Dolce and Gabanna, Tommy Hilfiger etc…

That is living the glamorous life, I just glanced through the windows and “covet” the displays of luxurious living and fashion on the other side.hehe.

At the bottom of the steps...with sunny skies.

Walking along the steps

Amazing shot...

The Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli was built in 459 A.D. to preserve the chains of Peter displayed under the main altar.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest cathedral all over the world, with millions of golden mosaics and several Tombs of Popes. Here lies the most important statue of Michelangelo, “The Pieta” a work made when he was only 25 years old.

Crowded square...awaiting the Pope.

The work done by Michaelangelo is just flawlessly breathtaking!

The cathedral is the biggest in the world located in Saint Peter’s Square. Piazza San Pietro as they called it in italian is beautiful with surrounding collums and intricate statues of saints. This is also where the Vatican City is. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most notably Michelangelo. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest construction of its age.

The paintings and creations added such a magnificence and awe!

We managed to see the Pope from 200 feet away! he gave a 15 minute speech/sermon in Italian and spanish mixed in. Thousands came to see him.

Trevi Fountain

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Trevi Fountain a famous work of Nicola Salvi. I guess some of you might have caught a glimpse of it in “Lizzie McGuire the movie” and that famous bar gelato has one of the best gelato ice creams I’ve ever tasted! It is the largest — standing 25.9 meters (85 feet) high and 19.8 meters (65 feet) wide — and most ambitious of the Baroque fountains of Rome.

Eating some Italian made Gelato! yummy

Throwing my coin backwards for "good luck" and for a chance to return to Rome! XD

A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. A reported current version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. Approximately 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day and are collected at night. However, there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain; this isn’t shocking because I saw numerous 2 euro coins through the glassy water.

Outside the Pantheon (it was only 4.30pm and the sun was setting!)

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Inside *luminous*

We had dinner in front of The Pantheon, a real architectonical wonder of ancient Rome also admired and studied by even the great Michelangelo, today remains the burial place of Ruffaello and of some Italian kings and nobles.

The restaurant was outdoors with glittering Christmas lights and lovely lighted candles; we ate pizza and spaghetti (what they are renowned for). Although, I wasn’t too pleased with the food, Italians really love their pasta because that is all they eat!! I’m dead serious, barely any Chinese or western food.