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