Last Day In Roma
Mood:  blue
Now Playing: A romp in the park
Before we begin our blog, a quick greeting to our brother (and bro-in-law), Lee --- HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! LOVE TO YOU FROM US IN ITALIA!
=============================================
So, tomorrow is today and we write once again. We decided that today we'd do the Villa Borghese. It's one of Rome's two "Central Parks." It once belonged to the Borghese family but has now been given to Rome to be used by the citizenry. Of course, we WALK there, once again through our favorite Campo de' Fiori where we stop for a piazza bianca which is, basically, pizza dough baked into a rectangle with only some olive oil. It's then cut to your specs and weighed and handed over for a quick pick-me-up into heaven. We thought that would be a snack, but it was lunch for Stacey, while Matt was able to force himself to have a panino later in the park.


Here's how they sell peppers in the farmer's market at Campo de' Fiori.

In order to get to the Villa Borghese, you have to climb a massive staircase from the Piazza del Popolo. Once at the top, besides having a panoramic view of all of Rome, you find yourself in this beautiful park that could be anywhere OUT of the city. It's quiet, there are few cars and motorbikes and there are miles and miles of walking paths. There's a lovely pond, much statuary and a few caffes to have an espresso or sandwich. It's truly an oasis in a bustling, noisy, fume-ridden city.


It's a long climb from the Piazza del Populo to the Borghese ranchero.


But it's worth the view of Roma from up above. St. Peter's on the horizon, right.


Here's the Piazza as viewed from the top of the steps.


Matt strikes a classic pose inside Rome's Villa Borghese


The Villa is an oasis of green and quietude in a noisy, bustling city.

On our walk home we are on a mission. To stop at the gelateria that we found yesterday that had the best ice cream to date. And Stacey ate her first gelato, after tasting Matt's yesterday.

But, on our way, we have to look in EVERY jewelry store for that one perfect bracelet for Stacey. And we find it!! Just what she wanted. Matt's SO happy! Can't you just imagine? But, as always, the walk is very interesting and uncovers many new sights for us, including the Chiesa S. Ignazio which our jewelry salesman told us about. It is rather gorgeous. We're glad we stopped in.


I finally found what I was looking for!


Many churches of Rome are decorated with incredible paintings and sculptures. This, the Chiesa San Ignazio on a beautiful, little piazza of the same name.

Last night's dinner was specialita sarde (specializing in cuisine from Sardinia). Tonight it was Taverna Giulia which specialized in cuisine from Liguria....the region of Genoa. That's pesto, baby and mama mia! That's a good pesto! Also mushroom soup the likes of which we've never tasted before. Another great dinner, what can we tell you?


Your travel guides at Taverna Giulia. (Photo courtesy of our waiter).

Tomorrow we pick up our car, leave our beloved Rome and head for the hills! It looks like we're going towards Assisi, but that's tonight, and things can change pretty fast around here! Keep posted.

S & M