city sights in Roma

After the workshop, I checked into Hotel Nerva Friday afternoon... then took my camera and went for a walk! The first photo below is part of the Roman Forum, which looks like they are still working on excavating the ruins...

I love the sunlight in this photo. (And... I just loved the sunlight that day!)   : )

Just beyond the Roman Forum is the Altare della Patria, including the tomb of the unknown soldier - Il Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emmanuele (with eternal flame). This monument is very central in the city and overlooks Piazza Venezia.

I walked around for a while... popped into some shops... bought a pair of golden loafers (truly!)... and then found myself at the Spanish Steps:

The Piazza di Spagna is at the bottom of the steps (where I stood to take the two photos above) and at the top of the staircase is another piazza with a church - Trinita dei Monti.

Interesting new fact that I just read --> The Spanish Steps are the widest staircase in Europe! (Spanish Steps - Wikipedia article)

signs on walls - Roma

While walking through the neighborhood north of the main part of Rome, I enjoyed seeing the various signs, remnants of signs, spray-painted pictures, and colors on the buildings and walls:

and my favorite:

Your smile continues to shine.

evening walk north of Rome

I stayed two nights in a villa hotel near the workshop at Marymount International School in Rome. It was nice to walk around a part of the city that was not in the center or touristy at all. ...After two nights, however, I was happy to move to the center of the city to fully enjoy what it has to offer.

After the first day of the workshop I took a walk with camera in hand:

I don't know what this sign says... 

but it has pictures of pigeons with a line through them - NO PIGEONS!

stack of frames outside a framing shop:

workshop in Rome

I attended a two-day workshop in Rome, held at the Marymount International School, for my school's library system. It was a very helpful workshop and great to meet and connect with other Librarians.

Marymount has a beautiful school campus, located right next to a park and north of the main part of the city. Beautiful and peaceful! (The sunny weather made it even prettier!)

The outdoor patio area for coffee and lunch!

The lovely building where our sessions were held.

Upper School Library:

Elementary School Library:

Hotel Nerva - Roma

I have been to Rome 3 times and each time I have happily stayed at Hotel Nerva.

This little hotel is very central in the city... just a few minutes walk to the Colosseum! It is directly behind the Roman Forum on a narrow street.

The first time I went to Italy (with a group from my college), the two owners were brothers... if you think of cute, little, old Italian men... that's them! Five years later, when I stayed with my family... the son of one of the brothers had taken over ownership. He even helped us to get into contact with my dad's cousin!

Both of my first trips were (funny enough) spent in the same room! There was a 'family room' that could sleep 5. There was a loft area and a balcony window looking out over the street and the wall of the Roman Forum! Now, I think that room has been turned into a fancy suite.

The entire hotel has been remodeled/updated and it's gorgeous. The price is a bit steep... but worth it. I wanted a relaxing weekend to fully enjoy and I did just that. My afternoon siesta times in my room reading were perfect.

My tiny little single room:

This room looked into an inner courtyard area:

The front of the hotel on the narrow street (the wall on the right is the Roman Forum!)

The Roman Forum on the left... and the hotel is on the other side of the yellow building that you can see in the photo below:

Just up from the front door of the hotel:

memories in Roma

Ten years ago, I traveled to Italy for the first time... with a group from my college. --A dream come true! I began that trip in the amazing city of Rome.

Five years later (and five years ago), I traveled back to Italy with my parents and two brothers. --Another dream come true! It was amazing to see my dad light up as he explored the country where his family is from.

Five days ago... I was in Rome again! I really love this city. It is incredible... like an outdoor museum. Just walking around aimlessly is like extreme sightseeing.

For each visit, I have stayed at the lovely (and well located!) hotel, Hotel Nerva. I remember the first night I arrived as a college student, we took a walk from the hotel to dinner and passed by this -->

Walking by this gorgeous wall just a few nights ago, memories came flooding back to me. I had forgotten that small piece of my first trip... my first night! We had gone to dinner in a tiny, crowded restaurant and I learned that I did NOT like water con gas (with carbonation). It was weird to me. ...Now I love acqua frizzante!

I'm fairly used to traveling solo now. I enjoy traveling with family and friends - but it's nice to know that I am comfortable enjoying my time on my own as well. Even though I was alone in Rome for the weekend (after a two-day workshop at the end of the work week), I found 'family' throughout the city!   : )

Ambrogio! ...my Nonny's side of the family

Roxanne! (my parents' dog)

Poppies at the ancient Roman Forum - for Poppy!!

past Christmas decorations...

Well - I'm four months behind - but these are worth it! Christmas in Italy is pretty fun   : )

I made a Bookmas Tree in the Library! It was fun to see everyone (students AND teachers) notice it... this is my 3rd year making one and I think they're getting better and better each year.

The 2013 BOOKMAS TREE!

Giant tree of lights in the roundabout outside my apartment building:

Ready for the family to arrive for the holidays!

Decorations on the main street in Opera!