A Great Day to Explore

Yesterday was incredibly busy as our first full day in Rome! I was most excited for sightseeing and, of course, gelato (which we eat daily). Sunday morning a group of us decided to go to Piazza Navona for the Feast of the Epiphany Festival, and stopped by the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon along the way.

 This is the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini in the center of Piazza Navona. For L'Epifania there were stands set up in a ring around the piazza where you could buy food (including giant donuts) and souvenirs.

After Piazza Navona and a quick lunch near Piazza Campo Marzio, some of us decided to explore Trastevere.


On our way to Trastevere, we stopped at the daily market in Campo de' Fiori. In addition to souvenir stands, there were places to buy fresh produce, spices, and favorite local snacks.

 
 This is a view of St. Peter's Basilica from the Ponte Sisto, one of the bridges to Trastevere. We've been lucky to have really beautiful weather.

  In Trastevere, we wandered along several side streets before discovering Santa Maria in Trastevere, a beautiful church made up of many different styles. I particularly loved the apse mosaic!

Buona giornata!