ROME

Rome is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities I visited, 

Admiring the treasures and masterpieces of Roman art and architecture was so surreal. 

Well there's no better advice for visitors to the Eternal City than the old adage, 

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do".

We arrived in Ciampino Airport at around midday from London. 

I always book an early flight so we can have plenty of time to explore the city.

Transportation is very accessible from the airport to the city centre. You can purchase a ticket on the day or in advance. 

We explored the city with the hop-on-hop-off double-decker bus, 

getting on and off as many times as we like in our own self-paced itinerary is fun.

The most internationally recognised symbol of Rome, The Colosseum has a long and bloody history. 

It was inaugurated in 80 A.D. with 100 days of games, including gladiatorial combats and animal fights. 

Known to be the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire.

St. Peter's Basilica - the centre of Roman Catholic faith, St. Peter's draws pilgrims from all over the world. 

It is Christianity's most important spot and perhaps the most famous religious site. 

All around the church, Bernini's magnificent colonnade enfolds the surrounding oval piazza

in a spectacular and metaphorical embrace. 

Inside St. Peter's Basilica where you can find Bernini's masterful altarpiece 

- the great bronze Baldacchino and Michelangelo's Pieta.

Just south of Vatican City stands Castel Sant'Angelo, where popes sought solace during sieges. You can see splendid views of Vatican City and Tiber when you climb to the top. At its base you can see the Ponte Sant'Angelo with Bernini's exquisitely carved marble angels.

Then we headed up the steps of the Capitoline hill to admire the harmonious square laid out by Michelangelo and the statue of emperor Marcus Aurelius on a site that bristled with Roman temples. Walked behind the Palazzo dei Senatori to see surviving ones in a view of the Forum. 

Any trip to Rome would be incomplete without a visit to the Trevi Fountain.

Nicola Salvi's awe inspiring Baroque masterpiece features a marble statue of Neptune at the centre, surrounded by Tritons. Legend has it that anyone who throws a coin in the fountain will return to Rome. 

I couldn't agree more!

Indulging Rome's Best Gelato with the Trevi Fountain in my background.

Hhhmmm one more scoop of Pistachio please! The cold doesn't bother me anyway.

We ended our day by climbing the famous Spanish Steps leading to the Trinita dei Monti. 

Then strolled along Piazza di Spagna, the city's fanciest boutiques on Via dei Condotti, Rome's legendary shopping streets. 

Even though this is my second time in Rome, it still amaze me. 

Oh Roma you are lovely just like you were four years ago when I first saw you. 

Grazie for the memories.