Rome ET04B

Lunch at an outdoor restaurant is a fine way to begin our explorations in Rome, the most historic city in Europe. Then we take a walk to Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the only significant gothic church in the city. Even though Rome has been a religious and artistic center for 2,500 years, during the Middle Ages it was relatively unimportant and produced little in the way of gothic architecture that has survived, except for this impressive church. Notice the whimsical statue in front designed by Bernini of an elephant with an Egyptian obelisk growing out of his back. Inside the church is a mix of gothic architecture with some décor from the Renaissance and later.Next we continue to Trevi Fountain, tossing our coins for good luck and wishes, then on to Giolitti for gelato heaven, passing the Pantheon on our way to Hotel Tiziano. Next day we start at Campo dei Fiori, the citys outdoor veggie market, then keep walking through the ancient narrow lanes to Ponte St Angelo and Via dei Coronari, ending up at Piazza Navona, the most beautiful plaza in Rome.