Tour of Rome!

We were able to go on a double decker bus and go on a tour of Rome on Larry's birthday!  Wow!!!  There is so much to see!!!

This is the first view we saw from on top of the double decker bus!  On the right is the main train/bus station in Rome, called Termini!  It is a hoppin' place!

We were able to wear headphones and there were 8 different languages to choose from!  Larry is ready to go with his headphones on and we are passing Termini to start our tour!

Some of the buildings are so beautiful, I couldn't resist taking a picture!  This is not a famous building, but is sure is beautiful!!!

This is a gorgeous church that took up an entire city block!!!  It was a beautiful day and we were lucky it didn't rain!  We have had quite a bit of rain this winter along with snow!

This building was right next to where we were sitting, waiting for the bus to leave Termini!  I love the architecture here!  

The statues inside the walls and the details are extraordinary!!!  There are buildings and churches like this all over Rome!

Some of the buildings have a wonderful piazza in front!  I couldn't stand up in the bus, but this gives you a pretty good idea of how beautiful the buildings are!  Notice the statues on the roof above the columns!

This is some of the original architecture that is built right onto the new architecture!

The Monument to the State is in the background and you can see some original architecture right behind these famous Roman Umbrella Pine trees!

This building is very close to the Colosseum and as you can see is original dating back to the early Roman times!  Inside the arched ceilings are beautiful engravings!

If you look closely, beyond the arches you can see some of the beautiful designs and engravings on the ceiling for the original and gorgeous artifact!

You can see the original columns and archways on the other side of this building also the adjoining wall that has a lot of detail and beauty!

You might be thinking that I am a little crazy for putting another picture of the Colosseum on our blog!  But, I think there are many more pictures to come!!!  So, I will say, sorry!  But, I think it is fascinating!

Still to this day, they have concerts inside the Colosseum!  We saw a segment of Andrea Bocelli performing there with a full orchestra!

Do you know how tall the Colosseum is???  Well, it's really tall!!!  And they are in the process of cleaning it and it looks so much better!!!  In some areas the walls of the Coliseum are black from the pollution and weather for so many hundreds of years!

Do you know how many arches are in the Colosseum???  (Jeopardy music playing in the background),   answer........"a lot"!!!!

Very cool angles to look at....especially way up on top of a double-decker bus!!!

Here is a secret entrance!  The double walls are so interesting and a lot of people don't realize what a wonderful structure this is!

This is one of the most popular tourist spots in the world!

The Arch of Constantine (Italian: Arco di Costantino) is a triumphal arch in Rome, situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill. It was erected to commemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312. Dedicated in 315, it is the latest of the existing triumphal arches in Rome, from which it differs by spolia, the extensive re-use of parts of earlier buildings.  

I know I sound smart, but I borrowed this info!  Shhh!

 This is right pass the Arch of Constantine and this is an original structure, with only one wall of the building left to admire! 

We will submit more pictures later of our cool tour of Rome, Italy!  Love you all!!!