All of us had visited Rome on previous trips but it is an easier city for flights back to the US. Also, there are always sites there that we haven’t seen or are worth revisiting. An unanticipated event while we were here was the international G20 forum. When an event occurs involving the top leaders of 19 countries and the EU, major changes occur in the city infrastructure! One day the entire metro and bus systems were shut down! We got used to a military helicopter hovering all day over government buildings that were near our hotel. Motorcades of police with sirens going were regular occurrences. We didn’t know there were so many black limos and vans in one city! Via Nazionale, a major four lane street, was empty except for pedestrians, police and motorcades. Actually it was a bit exciting! The hop on hop off bus system was operating, albeit with a modified route in places. We got many more steps in than planned!
One site we had not previously visited was the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. It was originally built in AD 432 and is considered one of Rome’s oldest and best preserved churches. The 13th century mosaics above the apse are a marvel.
A fun place Barb and I had discovered on a previous visit was Fassi’s Gelateria. Fassi’s has been in operation since 1880! It has the largest offering of gelato flavors we have encountered. There is plenty of space where customers socialize while enjoying their gelato. i.e. a fun place.
