I remember asking Ken the first time we spoke what SPQR represented. Clearly, I had not done my homework on Rome. Ken’s response was that he would let me discover the meaning of SPQR on my own. Naturally, I went straight to Google to find the definition, but the importance of the meaning of the …
Author Archives: KAMartinez
An assortment of thoughts and sights
This blog highlights some of the random thoughts and sights throughout my time in Rome….. Gelato, Gelato, and More Gelato After three months in Italy, I believe I can officially call myself a gelato connoisseur. Having gelato almost every day for the greater part of the trip, I got to know the best gelaterias and …
Rome At Night
There were several evenings throughout my time in Rome when I went exploring after the sun went down. I am fascinated by the way spaces are used during the day versus at night. Is the area still active? How has it changed? Who are the users? How is the space perceived with daylight as compared …
My Last Day in Rome
Tuesday was my last full day in Rome. The end of an incredible adventure is always bittersweet. I was excited to go home to see family and friends, and share my extraordinary Italian experiences. It was also sad to leave such an incredible city. I had grown accustomed to Rome and my daily adventures. The …
Morning Sunrise, Churches, and Art
I began Monday rising before the sun. The birds were chirping outside my window, and I was ready for another glorious day in Rome. One of my favorite ways to experience a city is to watch the sunrise and the city come alive. I enjoy the way the quiet and still of the morning gives …
Ancient Classics of Rome and a Walk Through Trastevere
Saturday was quite a day: busy, tiring, and beautiful. I made my way through the classic ancient Roman sights, the Mammertine Prison and viewed the Imperial Forum and Trajan’s Column from the exterior. With the Roman sun beating down on me as I wandered through the outdoor sights, I had to stop and marvel at …
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The Pantheon and Surrounding Churches
Saturday was dedicated to the Pantheon and three nearby churches. What is go great about visiting the churches is that one gets to see such incredible artwork it the place for which it was originally intended. It is definitely the best place to view the incredible art in Rome. The first church I visited was …
Day trip to Hadrian’s Villa and Tivoli’s Villa d’Este
Wow! That expression alone is basically all that is needed to sum up my day in Tivoli! I had been waiting so long to see Hadrian’s Villa, and I was very excited to make the day trip from Rome to see it’s splendor. Each of my guidebooks recommended going to Villa d’Este as well, and …
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Starchitecture to the Ultimate Classic: Zaha’s MAXXI Museum to the Pantheon
Excellent architecture abounds in Rome. Obviously, the classic architecture of the city is infamous, but on Thursday I visited some inspiring modern architecture. Zaha Hadid’s MAXXI Museum was completed in 2010 in northern Rome. Some friends had said it was an outstanding museum, and since I had never been in any of Zaha’s work before, …
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Getting to see the Pope!
The highlight of Wednesday was getting to see Pope Benedict XVI. On Wednesday mornings, the Basilica of St. Peter’s is closed, and people have the opportunity to attend a papal audience. I was very excited to attend this event. I arrived early. When I picked up my ticket on Monday, the Swiss guard told me …