Ruby Princess – Rome
We docked in Civitavecchia in the early morning and fondly said farewell to the Ruby Princess. Having lived in Rome a few years, we knew Civitavecchia and how to get into the city. We jumped on a Regionale Train and journeyed into Rome. It was great to be back “home” again. We were staying in a friends’s apartment very close to where we lived… just a few blocks from the Vatican.
It didn’t take us long to get back in the lifestyle we enjoyed in Rome. We saw some of the sights, pausing for gelato and caffe’. And of course, shopping at Porta Portese. We also stopped and relaxed at the Antico Caffe della Pace.
Some of the best times we had when living in Rome were walking at night. This visit we spent every night dining late and walking through the city. Great memories. These photos were taken in the Borgo and Prati sections of town, not far from our apartment.
While in Rome I headed to Piazza del Popolo and stopped in at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo (top photo). For four years the Chigi Chapel in this church was being renovated, covered in tarps and scaffolding. Here finally, I got of photo of the completed renovations. Raphael was commissioned to decorate this chapel.. the work passed on to Lorenzetto… and then finally to Bernini.
From the Basilica I headed to an appointment with Giusy Guarracino, the Senior Sales Manager at the Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie. Guisy and I had met at a conference and I was eager to get a private tour of the hotel. We spent a delightful couple of hours wandering and talking – What an impressive hotel (bottom two photos).
As always, it’s hard for us to leave Rome. We had an incredible five days after our cruise, spending the entire time in the city, meeting friends and celebrating Rome. No matter how many times we leave, Rome always feels like “home” to us. We look forward to our next trip back.
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