We park up near the Vatican and have a whole day, without guests to entertain with the usual sights, today we can check out some things WE want to for a change...
First stop is the Piazza Navona, which we've both never seen before. An immense oval square, originally a stadium, then market and dominated by Bernini's impresive fountain representing Earth's four greatest rivers. The square buzzing with cafes and street artists is also flanked with some colossal buildings and churches. We indulge in a wicked ice cream in a famous gelateria.
We find a cool Neapolitan restaurant for lunch- mozerella in carozza!
In the afternoon we seek out a couple of architectural gems that I've wanted to see for years. The first one being Bramante's Tempietto. For this we make the climb up the Janiculum hill, which in the July heat is no mean feat! We are however rewarded with some great views over the city and some delicious fresh figs which we pick from a tree!
The tiny temple is inside a small convent and for me idealizes the whole concept of Rennaissance art in its simplicity and perfection... Suffice to say I am not disappointed!
Our final stop for the day is the Porta Pia, which is right across the other side of the city. The walk down the Janiculum is rather easier and we pick up the car from outside the walls of the Vatican. We carefully navigate our way to Michelangelo's masterpiece and spend some time oggling it, before our three-hour drive home, exhausted, but happy
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