Written by: TravelingProfessor
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 

After breakfast at our hotel, on the veranda, we started off at the market at Campo de Fiori.  Vendors sell everything from fresh vegetables, cheeses, pastries, housewares, olive oil and pasta.   At the top of this old market square is Forno, a bakery that sells perhaps the best pizza (sold by weight, not the slice) in Italy.   It is never too early for pizza in Rome.

Next we headed over to Piazza Navona, an ancient chariot racing track now transformed into a public space with Bernini's Four Rivers as the centerpiece.   There are artists and entertainers all over the place.   Despite the time of year, Rome does not seem to be overly crowded.

The Pantheon is a special place.  It is the best preserved Roman "ruin" to be found.   Of course there is another fountain spewing water in front of it, a perfect place to eat the best gelato in the world from Della Palma, down the street.

We walk down to Trevi Fountain.   Legend has it that throwing coins in the fountain will ensure another visit to Rome in the future.   We are all a few euros lighter after the visit to this magnificent fountain.

It is on to the grand Spanish Steps.   By now we are quite exhausted - or I thought we were.  Some intrepid travelers still have the energy for some shopping and a short trip to the offbeat Capuccin Crypts.

For dinner tonight, we travel back to the famous Da Pancrazio at Campo de Fiori.   Paolo, our host, puts out a wonderful Italian spread for us.   We have salad, pasta, veal, chicken, rollatini and dessert.  Whenever we visit Pancrazio Paolo never fails to tell us of how the actress Julia Roberts visited his restaurant and dined on pasta with basil and chicken.

It is a full moon tonight and we decide to stroll over to the famous Tre Scalini for a deep, rich, and sinful tartuffo topped with fresh whipped cream.  

It has been a great day in Rome and we can't wait until tomorrow.

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