We had a quick one day tour of Rome. It was like a historical theme park with dazzling impressions of the Colosseum, the Vatican and fountains.

Rome Italy The people of Rome seem to like to dress up; I have never seen so many people so nicely dress in one city before. Rome of course bring to mind the ruins of the old Rome from its glory days and the Vantage Tour people took us on a Motor coach (Bus) Tour of the city which was very informative and I put on www.traveljar.com/bellrich with the full narrative. We also went to the Vatican which was over crowded and if I wasn’t with a tour I would wait until the afternoon to visit when the tours were over. I think the best part of our tour of Rome was the one we did on our own. If you do that tour the ruins first and get tickets for both the ruins and the Colosseum and avoid the crowds at the Colosseum. Camera; Olympus C-60 Digital Camera for the slideshow Music; Allegro by Bach Tours by Vantage 1-800-322-6677

Well known view of the Circular Staircase at the Vatican Museum in Rome, Italy.

A small part of the line to get into the Vatican Museum in Rome, Italy. Don't be discouraged though, it moves much faster than you might think.

Pizza Del Campidoglio Rome Italy, This splendid square was conceived by Michelangelo, who also designed the two palaces on the opposite sides of the square, whoose divergence creates a widening perspective which is most effective. It is reached by the grand flight of steps known as the "Cordonata", built to a design by Michelangelo especially for the triumphal entry of the Emperor Charles V in 1536. Michelangelo placed on a new pedestal the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (161-180), removed in 1981 for some delicate restoration and situated on the ground floor of the Museo Capitolino.

A short video showing the exterior of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

Italy Rome. The Roman Forum is located in a valley that is between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. It originally was a marsh, but the Romans drained the area and turned it into a center of political and social activity. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. When the Roman Empire fell, the Forum became forgotten, buried and was used as a cattle pasture during the Middle Ages. The Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater was begun by Vespasian, inaugurated by Titus in 80 A.D. and completed by Domitian. Located on marshy land between the Esquiline and Caelian Hills, it was the first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome. Its monumental size and grandeur as well as its practical and efficient organization for producing spectacles and controlling the large crowds make it one of the great architectural monuments achieved by the ancient Romans.

Music: (1st Part) Bandari (Hymn) (2nd Part) Chris Babida

A view of the Piazza and Dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome.

Rome Italy The people of Rome seem to like to dress up; I have never seen so many people so nicely dress in one city before. Rome of course bring to mind the ruins of the old Rome from its glory days and the Vantage Tour people took us on a Motor coach (Bus) Tour of the city which was very informative and I put on www.traveljar.com/bellrich with the full narrative. We also went to the Vatican which was over crowded and if I wasn’t with a tour I would wait until the afternoon to visit when the tours were over. I think the best part of our tour of Rome was the one we did on our own. If you do that tour the ruins first and get tickets for both the ruins and the Colosseum and avoid the crowds at the Colosseum. Camera; JVC Hard Disk Camcorder for the video Music; Allegro by Bach Tours by Vantage 1-800-322-6677

Early morning short of the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.