Rome to Sorrento

We take a final look at the Castello Sant'Angelo, with the statue of Michael the Archangel in the central courtyard, and then complete our time in Italy . . . . in a way. The next morning we board Pacific Princess for our cruise, which stops in Sorrento, where we are pleased to visit both Pompeii and Positano on our actual final day in Italy. Here we see the sunrise over the bay as we prepare to tender to the dock in Sorrento.

Arrivederci Roma

Early in our first look at Rome we began the day at St. Peter's Square. As we visited Castello Sant' Angelo on our last day, we walked up on the outer parapet and saw a wonderful view of the square from the high vantage point. It was a feeling of completing a circle for us. Meanwhile, we stopped in a small cafeteria for appetizers and a soft drink. The owner, on the right, visited with us for quite a while, and then our waiter, on the left came by and heard we were from the Chicago area. He was so pleased to tell us that he went to high school, not in Italy, but in Croatia. What would make that interesting to a Chicagoan? He was a high school pal of former Bulls star Toni Kukoc. Small world!

Bridges Over the Tiber

Our tour guide had headed home with his family, but he had helped us plan a walking tour for Sunday that had us crossing the Tiber on four different bridges, a real chance to see some of the city . . . and to stop for appetizers and cold drinks in a quiet ristorante. The major sight to see was the huge Castello Sant' Angelo, a majestic name indeed for a huge tomb built by and for the Emperor Hadrian.

Road Back to Roma

The magical week was winding down and our bus pulled back into Rome for our goodbye dinner. A fine Saturday evening with new friends and old, thinking about all the places we had been and the things we had seen.

Fortunately for our party of four, though, the adventure was not nearly complete. We had a free day in Rome the next day followed by a long Mediterranean Cruise.

The Coliseum

The Coliseum is a monster-sized sight to see, physically and emotionally. Its size and its simple but effective organization, clearly visible in more than LVI gates (56, for those uncertain about Roman numbers) which could empty the giant arena in a matter of minutes. Its underpinnings, now open to the daylight, showing the holding pens and hallways under the turf. And of course its history. On a steamy summer day, the Coliseum is truly a monster-sized sight to see.

Pudgy Angel

The pudgy angel watches over the major basin for holy water in St. Peter's. Once outside into the square, if you walk down and turn back to see the Basilica, there is a complex of building wings in the upper right corner of the photo. Up there is the Sistine Chapel, and from that area a chimney sends up the white smoke to signify that a new Pope has been chosen when the election is underway.

Dome and Pieta

Among the many awe-inspiring sights in St. Peter's Basilica would be more than one amazing dome . . . and the incredible Pieta. Now closed into glass after a terrorist attack, this is the most famed of the four Pietas we saw in various places in Italy.

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Square, and a ceiling inside the Cathedral area.

Roma, Evening

Our first dinner was at the Piazza Navone, with a bright moon hanging over the bell tower above. On the way back to the hotel, we passed the Coliseum, where we would walk the next day.

Back From Europe

In Europe, there is so much to see at each location, it will be interesting to see how long this massive project will last. We started in Roma (the English translation just does not sound right to me any more!) and here is an image from ruins near the Coliseum and one from the Cathedral of St. John in Lateran. Two very impressive sights and we were just warming up.