And so, we come to the end of our time in Italy.

We’d planned to go out with a few days in Rome and thought we’d spend the time just poking around, revisiting places we knew there. After the wonderful trip we’d had, we both felt our time in the capital might be a bit of an anticlimax.

It turned out to be anything but.

 

It began when our beautiful friends, Rita and Elio, called to say they'd like to meet us in Rome to catch up one more time before we left Italy.
It began when our beautiful friends, Rita and Elio, called to say they'd like to meet us in Rome to catch up one more time before we left Italy.
And in a fabulous coincidence, we all arrived on Rita's birthday. Let the fun begin!
And in a fabulous coincidence, we all arrived on Rita's birthday. Let the fun begin!
Dinner was at a rooftop restaurant in Rione Monti, overlooking the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore.
Dinner was at a rooftop restaurant in Rione Monti, overlooking the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore.
Then, over the three days we had together in Rome, we visited some wonderful museums and galleries.
Then, over the three days we had together in Rome, we visited some wonderful museums and galleries.
First up was a guided tour of the Galleria Borghese, an extraordinary collection of paintings and sculptures, right in the heart of Rome.
First up was a guided tour of the Galleria Borghese, an extraordinary collection of paintings and sculptures, right in the heart of Rome.
The Villa's extensive gardens are a separate attraction ...
The Villa's extensive gardens are a separate attraction ...
... especially the lake on a warm autumn afternoon. It's possible to rent a boat here so, of course, we did.
... especially the lake on a warm autumn afternoon. It's possible to rent a boat here so, of course, we did.
And we were fortunate on two counts - firstly, that Elio actually can row ...
And we were fortunate on two counts - firstly, that Elio actually can row ...
And secondly, that he can row - and sing - like a Venetian goldolier!
And secondly, that he can row - and sing - like a Venetian goldolier!
 
We have two other friends in Rome, both of whom we'd been hoping to catch up with.
We have two other friends in Rome, both of whom we'd been hoping to catch up with.
We'd met Maria in 2018, as we were preparing for our wedding; she not only translated all our documents as required by Italian law, but also helped us negotiate the sea of red tape that otherwise would have stymied our plans. We were so delighted to catch up again with this fabulous woman.
We'd met Maria in 2018, as we were preparing for our wedding; she not only translated all our documents as required by Italian law, but also helped us negotiate the sea of red tape that otherwise would have stymied our plans. We were so delighted to catch up again with this fabulous woman.
Our other friend in Rome is Dr Giovanni Mazzei, owner of one of the country's leading dental practices.
Our other friend in Rome is Dr Giovanni Mazzei, owner of one of the country's leading dental practices.
We’d met Giovanni by chance when Greg needed some urgent dental work done, and 'Il Dottore' became a dear friend.
We’d met Giovanni by chance when Greg needed some urgent dental work done, and 'Il Dottore' became a dear friend.
On this trip, we shared a wonderful meal together, and it was fabulous to be able to introduce Giovanni to Rita and Elio. We weren't surprised that they all formed an immediate connection.
On this trip, we shared a wonderful meal together, and it was fabulous to be able to introduce Giovanni to Rita and Elio. We weren't surprised that they all formed an immediate connection.
As we made our way around Rome, we passed by several of the 'big ticket attractions'.
As we made our way around Rome, we passed by several of the 'big ticket attractions'.
Though the peak summer season had passed, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon were still drawing the crowds.
Though the peak summer season had passed, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon were still drawing the crowds.
 
We were surprised to find a crowd outside this Starbucks outlet, too. Rita was curious enough to ask these young locals why they were lining up for Starbucks coffee - in Italy! Apparently, it's for the range of brews they offer: dark chocolate mocha, salted caramel cream, and even something infused with extra virgin olive oil!
We were surprised to find a crowd outside this Starbucks outlet, too. Rita was curious enough to ask these young locals why they were lining up for Starbucks coffee - in Italy! Apparently, it's for the range of brews they offer: dark chocolate mocha, salted caramel cream, and even something infused with extra virgin olive oil!
Among the other galleries and museums we visited was the magnificent Galleria Doria Pamphilj, a large private art collection.
Among the other galleries and museums we visited was the magnificent Galleria Doria Pamphilj, a large private art collection.
And the Church of St Igantius, with its remarkable frescoed ceiling.
And the Church of St Igantius, with its remarkable frescoed ceiling.
And incredible trompe l'oeil dome.
And incredible trompe l'oeil dome.
The National Roman Museum is a treasure trove of classical art.
The National Roman Museum is a treasure trove of classical art.
And at the Charterhouse of Santa Maria degli Angeli, you’ll find a cloister designed by Michelangelo, and a cypress tree he planted that is still surviving - just.
And at the Charterhouse of Santa Maria degli Angeli, you’ll find a cloister designed by Michelangelo, and a cypress tree he planted that is still surviving - just.
At Palazzo Altemps, Rita's contact gave us a private tour of a chapel usually closed to the public.
At Palazzo Altemps, Rita's contact gave us a private tour of a chapel usually closed to the public.
The chapel's ceiling - an intricate design in precious mother-of-pearl - is magnificent.
The chapel's ceiling - an intricate design in precious mother-of-pearl - is magnificent.
And then we arrived at Palazzo Colonna - the Baroque palace housing one of Rome's finest private collections (and that's saying something!).
And then we arrived at Palazzo Colonna - the Baroque palace housing one of Rome's finest private collections (and that's saying something!).
Generations of the powerful Colonna family have lived in this palace since the 14th century.
Generations of the powerful Colonna family have lived in this palace since the 14th century.
Today the custodian of the collection is Don Prospero Colonna di Paliano, Prince of Avella (seen here chatting with visitors in the garden).
Today the custodian of the collection is Don Prospero Colonna di Paliano, Prince of Avella (seen here chatting with visitors in the garden).
Palazzo Colonna is open for only a few hours each week, but on those days, the Prince himself is often found wandering the halls and greeting visitors.
Palazzo Colonna is open for only a few hours each week, but on those days, the Prince himself is often found wandering the halls and greeting visitors.
He is a lovely man who insists that there be only 'live' guides in the Palace (as opposed to audio guides), so he employs Fine Arts graduates whose job it is speak to visitors about the magnificent collection. The Prince considers visitors to be his guests - and you wouldn't greet guests with some kind of technological device, would you?
He is a lovely man who insists that there be only 'live' guides in the Palace (as opposed to audio guides), so he employs Fine Arts graduates whose job it is speak to visitors about the magnificent collection. The Prince considers visitors to be his guests - and you wouldn't greet guests with some kind of technological device, would you?
Visitors - or guests - here are allowed to sit on the antique chairs and sofas. In Palazzo Colonna, everything is beautifully maintained (because it's a private collection - the same can't be said for many of the State-owned galleries and museums). The marble floors alone are extraordinary!
Visitors - or guests - here are allowed to sit on the antique chairs and sofas. In Palazzo Colonna, everything is beautifully maintained (because it's a private collection - the same can't be said for many of the State-owned galleries and museums). The marble floors alone are extraordinary!
Palazzo Colonna's magnificent Sala Grande - opulent enough to rival the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The final scene of 'Roman Holiday' - where Audrey Hepburn chooses duty over love - was filmed here. Really, next time you're in Rome, add Palazzo Colonna to your list.
Palazzo Colonna's magnificent Sala Grande - opulent enough to rival the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The final scene of 'Roman Holiday' - where Audrey Hepburn chooses duty over love - was filmed here. Really, next time you're in Rome, add Palazzo Colonna to your list.
Then, to top off what had been a wonderful few days, Tina and Antonio also came to Rome. Antonio took this great shot of us arriving at the rendezvous restaurant.
Then, to top off what had been a wonderful few days, Tina and Antonio also came to Rome. Antonio took this great shot of us arriving at the rendezvous restaurant.
Again, it was so lovely to introduce two sets of dear friends who, in turn, became firm friends themselves.
Again, it was so lovely to introduce two sets of dear friends who, in turn, became firm friends themselves.
We were sad to be leaving Italy, but a wonderful few days with loving friends, made it a very fond farewell. And then, it was on to the next adventure!
We were sad to be leaving Italy, but a wonderful few days with loving friends, made it a very fond farewell. And then, it was on to the next adventure!