Rome, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain

Rome. I could easily go back. Most of the places I've been to in Europe seemed like one stop cities. But Rome? I'd go back again and again. Some of us were a bit nervous about going between Christmas and New Years because the head of the Catholic Church is within Rome, but I'm pretty much convinced now that it is the perfect time to go! The weather was mild (40s-60s), and while crowded, it wasn't overwhelmingly so the way it can get during the hot, hot summers. We took so many pictures here that I'm pretty much going to have to break up my posts based on attractions. Otherwise, you'd never read the the entire post!

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti)
The steps, the widest staircase in Europe, connect the Piazza di Spagna at the base to the Piazza della Trinita dei Monti at the top. We thought we had planned our trip properly too: we had figured out what subway stop to get out at in order to be at the top of the steps. But then we took the wrong exit from the subway station and ended up at the bottom of the steps. Oops. I'm not sure what I was quite expecting. Particularly since I've seen pictures before and adore Roman Holiday, but I must say I was slightly disappointed. Maybe I expected them to be wider? Don't get me wrong, the steps are very pretty and quite wide. But perhaps I was expecting something longer? Either way, we had a lovely time visiting the steps and the church, Trinita dei Monti.

The view from the top. 

Manhole covers aren't quite as pretty anymore.

Can you find my parents?

Yep, that's hieroglyphics. Apparently London is not the only
town filled with ancient Egyptian artifacts.

St. Peter's Basilica is the one in the very back, on the right.

The flat-topped trees are also very popular in the Vatican. 

Can you spot them again?

From the Spanish steps, we meandered through the streets, trying to follow the signs to the Trevi Fountain. We stopped a few places for pictures along the way.

When we finally found the Trevi Fountain, we entered from one of the sides. I think perhaps that is the best way to see the fountain: slowly unveiled bit by bit. As you can see, there was a mob of people there.