Look! Our Layover in Rome

On the way to Bologna, Italy, I had an unexpected Sunday afternoon layover in Rome, just enough time to run into the city, grab a pistachio gelato, and snap some pictures...

The beauty of the afternoon layover is that there's not enough time to do any formal sight-seeing—you're blessed with only a few hours to walk the streets and notice the details that give a city its unique character.

This buttery, lemon color appears on lots of houses and old buildings in the city center. Photos don't do it justice—it's a gorgeous shade.

The city is full of porticos, tiled floors, and courtyards. The roof of this portico had an amazing amount of detail. I also loved the dark orange walls and hanging lamps.

Windows in Rome (and throughout Italy) are often covered in elaborate screens. They're a security measure, but they're also a wonderful architectural detail.

I walked with no destination or purpose in mind—not even a map! Of course, I ended up at the Colosseum.

I snapped this blurry photo on the train back to the airport. I got there just in time to catch my flight to Bologna. Arrivederci, Roma!

Photos: Sarah Coffey

Comments (5)

Ahhhhhh Roma---citta cara mia! I spent a term of architecture school there. My life was altered---all for the better. Thank you for sharing the photos. ;o) Sparky

http://sparky-youngbloodstudios.blogspot.com/

posted by youngbloop on October 5th 2009 at 10:01am
view youngbloop's profile

What a great place to have a layover! The soft colors of Rome are one of the things I remember most about my first encounter, especially the well-aged yellows, oranges and pinks of buildings that were often overlaid with hanging vines and flowers from windowboxes. It's such a priviledge to be able to spend time in a city without a sightseeing agenda. Thanks, and wlecome back.

posted by penelope on October 5th 2009 at 11:24am
view penelope's profile

like youngbloop, above, i spent a semester of architecture school living and studying in rome. i agree: it was life changing and for the better. i've been back several times but there's just no other city like rome. sigh.

posted by davidsl on October 5th 2009 at 11:28am
view davidsl's profile

All I can think about now is pistachio gelato.....you're killin' me here!!!

posted by rgn on October 5th 2009 at 7:13pm
view rgn's profile

Next time...Gelateria san Crispino behind fontana di trevi has the best gelato al pistacchio. True.

posted by barbara.agatha on October 6th 2009 at 5:02am
view barbara.agatha's profile