Rome- July 8, 2019

Rome- July 7-8

Our incredible study/travel adventure begins!  We landed in Rome on July 7, 2019, met our wonderful guide Teresa, and proceeded to our hotel by coach bus. We saw many wonderful things along the way: the Roman aqueduct,  the Circus Maximus where the chariot races were held, Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. We got to the hotel, freshened up and then went out for pizza at Pizza Forum where students enjoyed delicious pizzas from a wood-burning oven.  The pizzeria was steps from the Colosseum, so we had the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of the Colosseum by night. 

After spending our first night in Rome and having had breakfast at Hotel President, the students were well rested and prepared for a busy day which began with an excursion to the Colosseum and Fori Imperiali.  With the help of our informative tour guide, the students learned about the historical context of the Colosseum, the significance of the ruins, and the ways gladiators fought for freedom, and often had fans similar to those of athletes today.

We walked inside the Colosseum in scorching heat, but the students remained fascinated by this historical landmark, and were enthusiastic about exploring the ruins of the Fori Imperiali.

We then made our way to the Pantheon, a temple for the Gods built more than 1800 years ago, where we viewed the tomb of Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael), one of the truly great painters of the high Renaissance period, as well as the tomb of Vittorio Emmanuele, Italy's last King.  What fascinated us all was the 43 m high dome.  At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, which was and is the only source of light! 

Students had time to shop and eat lunch, and then we proceeded to the hotel to freshen up before visiting one of Rome's most well known piazzas- Piazza Navona. This piazza is home to Gian Lorenzo Bernini's famous "Fountain of the Four Rivers".  Students enjoyed the beauty of the fountain and the piazza square.

We then proceeded to Ristorante Archimede where we enjoyed a typical Roman meal: prosciutto e melone, pasta all'amatriciana, lemon chicken and strawberries with ice cream.  

After dinner, on our way back to the hotel we stopped by the Trevi fountain, a late Baroque masterpiece and is the best known of the city’s numerous fountains.  Students tossed coins into the fountain because according to legend, those who toss coins into its waters will return to Rome.

Tomorrow, we are off to the Vatican Museums,and St. Peter's Basilica.