Travel to Rome part VIII

Then the group was moving toward the Roman Forum through the Via Sacra, the first monument we saw was the Arch of Titus, built to commemorate the victory over the Pharthians, the Forum has also temples, columns, the temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vesperiano, the column of Phocos, the Basilica of Guilla, and other ruins. All buildings were the enourmeous dimenssions. Then we exit the Forum and now we were seeing the Trajan Column, outside the Forum, it has a spiral narration of battles and conquests made by this Roman Emperor.

After a short rest we already on the bus traveling to the town of Sienna, Tuscany to the north of Rome an hour trip. Sienna is in the hearth of the countryside of Italy with a population of 15,000 people, its rich in art and architecture.



The town itself has very narrow streets, about nine feet wide, some less than that and houses towering along the sides of the streets, which are stone paved, very clean and a beautiful ornate town, a site of great pleasure to walk on. Its narrow streets lead to the main square; “The Square of the Campo” were on July once a year is held a horse contest; with the participation of all the surroundings villages. Dominant over the square is the Bell Tower that has 500 steps to reach the top of it, at the side is the Chapel, and at the front is a water fountain. Anywhere I look at I saw a postal like view. This small town has taken my attention, for its harmony and simplicity. After wards we continue the journey to Firenze. The panoramic scenery is breath taking with its multitude of gardens, palaces, fortresses, and villas on top of hills, a combination of gothic and renascence architecture.

Soon before the sunset we were in the town of Firenze we did have dinner at the hotel “The Moulin” in which we stayed for the night. Once again I have had a taste of the Italian cuisine, in Firenze the flavor of the food has its peculiar aroma, special spice mixtures and a variation of the tomato marinara, the generosity in the use of cheese, herbs, and all kind of condiments, gave the difference on flavoring, a festival for the sensation, of course complement mandatory a good wine.