Even though the timing coincided with Valentine's Day, this wasn't a romantic trip. We took our teenage niece on her first trip to a foreign country. While we had both been to Rome before, there was so much more I wanted to see. Once we arrived, we hit a bit of bad luck - our niece got a stomach bug - so we didn't hit as many of the sites as I would have liked. Regardless of the hiccups, Rome was even more beautiful then I remembered it.
We picked an apartment hotel this time and loved the feeling of having our own little flat in the city. As an added bonus, I loved the style of the place.
I'd never think about orange and green looking good together but it really worked here. I loved the chevron floors and if I could have taken those chairs home with me, I would have!
Speaking of taking something home with me, I fell in love with this painting. Any chance anyone recognizes it? I'd love to buy a reproduction.
I searched high and low for something like it but came up empty handed.
Ok, enough about that...lets get to the sites!
One of my favorite things about Rome are the amazing sculptures that are everywhere. You can't walk a block without being astounded at the beauty of it all right in the middle of a very bustling, modern city.
Every little side street held a new view.
On Sunday morning, I headed out alone to check out the Port Portese flea market. I wasn't lucky enough to find much worth buying but it was an interesting walk with plenty to browse.
And of course no trip to Rome is complete without a mosey to Vatican City.
Even if you aren't particularily religious, its hard not to be wow'd by the sheer majesty of the Vatican and the history of its musuems.
And when I wasn't oogling some ancient ruin or spot where Michelangelo stood, I tried to soak in as much of Rome as I could. It's a very tourist friendly, multi-faceted place. I hope we get to return one day.
Like my photos? You can buy select prints starting at just $6! My favorites from Rome as well as the other trips I've blogged about are available now. Click here to browse.
Ahhh - I LOVE ROME! It's been exactly five years since I was there. I found February a nice time to visit. Your photos are gorgeous and bring back such wonderful memories... I do hope I get to go back again one day... and maybe even one day soon! ;) Thanks for sharing your trip!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photography, MrsL! You really know how to capture the feeling of a place. I could almost smell the cappuccino. I love Rome so much - it's a magical city with so much history and beauty. Thanks for taking me there for a few minutes this (snowy) morning.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous! I love Italy!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite vacation :) I love your photographs!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are outstanding!!!
ReplyDeleteI so want that FIAT!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! What a wonderful trip, and to live in a apartment really tops it off! The photo's are amazing! Might have to get one once my guestroom is finished :) Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteKristin
Love Rome! Haven't been for years, so this was a nice reminder--thank you.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your niece...hope she was able to enjoy most of the trip.
GREAT photos, by the way....
Mrs L., these are fab! You always know how to capture a city! My fave is the dog pic.
ReplyDeleteThe city looks spectular through your photos, you got some great ones! I was 16 when I was last in Rome, I won't disclose how many years ago that was, but your images brought back some fun memories!
ReplyDeleteTrevi Fountain is my favorite place in Rome. We stayed right around the corner from the Spanish Steps - also a great spot. I might just have to pick up one of your photos since I can't take a good picture to save my life.
ReplyDeleteWould you mind sharing your resources for finding a flat versus a standard hotel room. With two kids now, a flat would be so much more practical!
ReplyDeleteI'm going for a week in May, and your photos are making me SO excited! Any recommendations for a first timer? Things that are not obvious... like the flea market you mention. Restaurants? Shops? Markets? Would love your off the beaten path ideas! I'm going for work so all of the "standard" stuff will be seen, since I'm site inspecting it for my program in 2011.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see that gorgeous Swiss Guard photo in your shop. Will it be uploaded as well?
ReplyDeleteRome is my favorite international city!!! What a wonderful thing to take your niece there!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's been 3&1/2 years for me. I want to go back!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos as always! I looove Rome. I've been twice for work but had time for sightseeing both times. The second time I got a horrible stomach bug like your niece - there's nothing worse than visiting one of the best food/drink cities in the world and not being able to eat anything! I hope she still managed to have a great time. What a nice aunt and uncle you guys are!
ReplyDeleteOH MY!!!!! INCREDIBLE! I hope you will take a moment to just be thankful for all these wonderful opportunities you have!!!! Thanks for allowing me to see the world even though I can't afford to take the trip. :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos...sounds like you had a wonderful time. xv
ReplyDeleteAs usual, fabulous photos. I'm going to buy that bulldog picture for my sons room re-do once I can find the perfect frame. I Love it.
ReplyDeleteNo words can truly say how beautiful the images are! My gosh...The first one is breahtaking.
ReplyDeleteYour images do such a wonderful job of capturing Rome. Is there a chance you'll be uploading the picture of the book spines? I would love to buy a copy!
ReplyDeleteThe best sandwich I ever ate was in Rome - sauteed spinach with amazing mozzarella on fabulous bread. Wish I could find that bread here.
ReplyDeleteAny recommendations for the rental service you used, or the apartment location you stayed at? Please spill all!
ReplyDeleteIt's always enjoyable to see where your travels have taken you. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. Too bad she got sick. Rome and Italy as a whole are still on my list of places to see.
ReplyDeleteI saw you on Apartment Therapy, congrats.
LUCKY YOU! I am in awe of your trip....I would love to go back too!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. Thanks for sharing. You are good Aunt and Uncle for taking your neice on her first international trip, even if she did get sick.
ReplyDeleteJealous, once again! Damn! You rock girl.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable photos. Having recently been to Rome and no pictures half as good to show for it, I am totally impressed. Have a great weekend! Marija
ReplyDeleteOh Mrs L!!! Rome is one of my favourite Cities in the world and I've been lucky enough to get there twice. Loved looking at those photos, thanks for posting them.
ReplyDeleteHope your niece recovered quick enough to enjoy some of her first OS trip.
Curious where you stayed and if you were happy with it? We want to go in the Fall with our daughter and thought of staying somewhere like you did.
ReplyDelete******
ReplyDeleteWe stayed in the "Vivaldi Apartments" part of Hotel Mozart. It took me forever to find a 2 bedroom hotel room but I stumbled upon it randomly without knowing much about it. Turned out well but there are some caveats. Here is the review of the hotel I posted on tripadvisor:
We stayed in the Vivaldi 2 bedroom Suite at the Hotel Mozart. The Vivaldi Apartments is actually 1/2 a block away from the Hotel Mozart. When we first booked this room I thought this distance might be a problem but it was none at all.
The best thing about this hotel is the location. Its very well situated on the Via del Corso. Right on a busy shopping boulevard and a short walk from the Spanish Steps. When the windows were closed, I had no issues with noise even though the apartment was only one flight up.
The worst thing about the hotel is the attitude from the front desk check in staff. Any time I dealt with them I got the distinct impression that they felt they were doing me a favor to even look up no less help me. It made me feel very uncomfortable. That said, I didn't get that same impression from the staff I dealt with that came to our room for various reasons. So I pressume its just the front desk staff that have this issue.
The room itself is quite nice and well decorated. The large bedroom and adjoining bathroom is spacious and well appointed. The second bedroom and bath is much smaller but large enough for our purposes. The middle sitting room serves its purpose to eat breakfast, etc. If someone were planning on using that as a bedroom, it would make eating there very difficult as there would be no common area so keep that in mind. The closet turned into a kitchenette came in handy. No stove to cook but a little fridge to store cold foods and drinks.
There are televisions in both bedrooms and sitting rooms. There is a single sky cable box for the apartment which means only one of us got to enjoy any programming at one time. On the positive side there is a DVD player in each room so if you'd like some rainy day entertainment, you could bring or buy DVDs.
Another issue we had throughout our stay was that the cable would go out every once in a while. Not a big issue except for the fact that the telephone and internet service would go down when that would happen. We found the internet connection to be virtually unusable throughout our stay. If it had been working properly, that would have been a nice touch.
A nice breakfast of coffee, croissant, cereal and fruit was served to us each day. Was very happy with the quality and service there.
Overall a nice stay but a few small improvements on the service and amenities would make such a tremendous difference. If I had had better front desk service and reliable cable/phone line, I would have given it an outstanding review.
******
I was an art historian in a former life, and of course I focused in on the painting you featured. I don't recognize the artist, but it's definitely 18th century. You might really like the portraits of Nattier; similar color schemes and style of dress.
ReplyDeleteHi, you seem to travel a lot. How do you buy your tickets? Where are you able to find good deals?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and a beautiful post. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Thank you so much for sharing all of your travels with us.
ReplyDeleteLovely trip, once again, by Team Limestone! And I think I would have strapped a couple of those silver cafe stools on my back...love them!!
ReplyDeleteSuch great photos! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I LOVE it!! What a beautiful home you have! I lived in Rome for a year and think your photos are fantastic! I might just have to buy one (or two)
ReplyDeleteLove this post because I'm going to Rome in just over two months! I think when I get back I may buy some of your Rome pics to commemorate our trip (since I'm not a photographer extrodinare :) )
ReplyDeletei love this post. i lived in rome last spring, and pictures of the beautiful city brings back lots and lots of precious memories! i'm jealous of your quick jaunt across the BIG pond! i am so glad that you made it to the Port Portese flea market. it is worth a push through the crowds to see what it's all about!! hope your trip was a blast, your pictures def. say so! take care!!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting to see your photos and hear about your trip. I've been reading your blog for about a year and a half, and I've loved hearing about your travels. My husband and I (we live in Brooklyn too), are planning our first trip to Italy in the end of September. I'd love to hear more about your trip -- places you ate, things you'd be sure not to miss on your first trip etc.
ReplyDeleteIf you EVER go back and want to see something really creepy (which i know you love), go visit the Capuchin Monastery in Rome. It's beautiful and tremendously creepy at the same time!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.boingboing.net/images/Crypt%20of%20the%20Capuchins%201.jpg