After making sure my travel SIM card was working, Emily and I set off on foot to see some of the sights of Rome.

A few blocks from our hotel we stopped and took a photo of the Opera House. Next, the open gates of the Art Gallery beckoned to us. We wandered around the grounds and took several photos. It was here we discovered how much we both loved fountains!

We took our time, enjoyed the new sights and sounds and stopped at a produce stand for a fresh, juicy pick-me-up.

After several twists and turns on the streets we turned a corner to see the spectacular Trevi Fountain before us. Immense crowd meant we couldn’t get as close as we would have liked, but we were able to get a few good photos.

Next we did the short walk to the Spanish Steps. From the square to the church above was 173 stairs. I know because Emily counted them as we climbed each one! At the top we were rewarded with a beautiful church to wander through.

After a brief rest back at the hotel, we walked a few blocks to Basilica S. Maria degli Angeli E Dei Martiri and entered their museum. We saw some incredible statues and artifacts. I was fascinated by the display of writing implements!

Our tour officially started at 6 pm with an introduction. We were told not to expect things the way they are at home. For example, the hotel rooms would be much smaller. This made sense when we learned that despite the large population of Italy, the country itself would fit into Canada 52 times!

Our tour group boarded a luxury bus and arrived at Basilica di Santa Prassede just as mass was ending. We walked silently through, admiring the beauty of the walls, altar and marble floors. Below the altar was a crypt containing bones of the martyrs which had been moved there from other burial sites. The church itself had a fascinating history. It was a former house, not easily seen from the road. When it was discovered the owner was a Christian, he was killed for his faith. His young daughters decided to make it their life mission to care for those martyred. Some of the mosaics depicted their duties.

After dinner with our group, we went back to the hotel, tired but happy.