***Altar of the Fatherland, Rome, Italy***

During our second day in Rome we set out to see the Colosseum. This is an absolute staple, and I really wanted to make sure my parents saw the grand structure. We walked through the city and stopped to see "Altar of the Fatherland", a large white marble memorial. As we walked toward the Colosseum, the tourist attractions continued to pop up. There were far more street entertainers, painted human statues making a few dollars off a photo, and street artists. We continued the walk and finally arrived at the Colosseum entrance.

***Paul and I enjoying the sights of Rome!***

***Curt and Deb in Rome for their first time!***

There was about a 5-minute wait before we got our tickets and started our Rick Steve's audio tour. The audio tour was a nice way to get the tour experience and education, without the tour guide and the unnecessary herding of strangers around the Colosseum. I was amazed how easy it was to travel around Rome in the off-season, such a nice change of pace. It felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We didn't even have to throw elbows to get some pictures alone in the designated look out spots. The weather was also perfect, we didn't even need a coat - it was a rare treat to have such weather!

***Looking out from the Colosseum to the city of Rome!***

***Paul and I with the little traveler in Rome! Baby is all over the world!***

***The men enjoying our self-guided tour!***

We wandered around for a while taking in all of the views. We really enjoyed ourselves. Curty was eying up all of the structural engineering, and of course I had to get a few pictures of the baby in the Colosseum - he's such a little traveler! From there, we walked over to the Roman Forum and were able to slip in before it closed! It was more of a jog really. The rocky pathways are not particularly easy to walk on, so we skipped stones as quickly as we good. We walked around the ruins for a while and listened to the audio tour. Mom and I decided to find a rock to sit on and warm up, and rest our tired feet.

***Entrance to the Roman Forum, we made it!***

It was a nice day overall, but our feet had definitely taken a beating from all of the walking on the cobblestones. It was time to cash in the chips, and on the way back to our apartment we stopped at an Irish Bar. Our waitress was from Canada, and it was fun to chat with her about the culture and Rome in general.

***The altar remains at the Roman Forum***

After some rest and relaxation in the Irish pub, we found our next destination which was another Groupon Dinner that Paul scoped out at Caffe degli Angeli. This place was an excellent find by Paul, and was an amazing value. The dinner was a buffet dinner for four with warm and cold entrees, cocktails, appetizer and dessert. The staff was so accommodating, and it was a pleasure to dine with them! I enjoyed one of my favorite coffee drinks of the trip: a decaf espresso with a little foam and some whipped cream – excellent way to finish a long day of walking. It was a perfect day topped off with a fine dinner.

**The Roman Forum at sunset, what a perfect day!**

***Three generations visit the Roman ruins, what a unique experience!***

Exhausted and full, we made our way back to the apartment and watched a little TV on the one english channel and finally went for a quick stroll around the area close to our apartment. By the time we Americans wanted to go to bed, the streets of Rome were just starting to bustle.

**Irish Pub in the heart of Rome to warm up with black and tans!**

**Fancy cocktails for Curty and Paul at our Groupon Dinner!**

**Paul and I enjoying our drinks at dinner - the best coffee in Italy yet!**

Rome really is a romantic city, and we had one final day to enjoy it!

Full Day in Rome

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