After our morning of ruins, the big ugly building and the MOUTH OF TRUTH... it was time for lunch! We took a taxi back to the Piazza Navona, and chose a restaurant near the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
Another favorite thing of Italy? Their staples of pasta and cheese. I've found my people.
Lunch with a view. Piazza Navona won my heart with its architecture and atmosphere.
We tried to balance our trip with the landmark sites and a mix of less-visited museums and attractions. After lunch, we visited the Palazzo Altemps, one of three buildings that house the National Museum of Rome. While not as popular as the National Museum's other sites, the Palazzo Altemps was known for being quieter and its more elegant setting. It was also located just north of the Piazza Navona.
This was one of my favorite museums in Italy. We only needed to share the museum with a handful of other tourists, and the open-air layout felt like we were simply stepping back in time to visit a Roman at home and admire their personal collection.
Walking in the courtyard of the museum. Can you feel the peaceful quiet?
Beautiful sculptures in beautiful rooms. And having a staring contest.
A chapel in the Altemps, and gazing from a window into the courtyard.
After enjoying the quiet and calm of the Altemps, we caught a cab back to the hotel (neither of us felt up for even the 15 minute walk) and napped.
After a much-needed refresh, we headed out a couple hours later to the Santa Maria Maggiore, considered Rome's finest early Christian basilica. Since we were still a little tired from our adventures earlier in the day, it didn't hurt that the church was only a five minute walk from the hotel.
Inside and outside Santa Maria Maggiore. Upper legs and arms needed to be covered at all times in most Italian churches, so I learned to carry a wrap in case we wanted to duck into a cathedral. Also, a pigeon almost pooped on me when we were standing outside.
Absolutely stunning interior.
We weren't able to take photos of it, but the church also displayed the world's oldest icon of the Virgin Mary. It was amazing to see the icon in one of the church's chapels, which was more than a thousand years old.
Couldn't resist doing a little shopping on the way back to the hotel.
We ended the day at our hotel's rooftop restaurant. I was skeptical about dining in a hotel restaurant, but I was persuaded by the sunset views of Rome, and the food was surprisingly good! I ordered tuna antipasto, a pasta course, and tiramisu... and all was a delicious end to a wonderful day.
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