14 Mar 2023
Twelve of us took the Rome by Night guided tour in two vans. It was wonderful, exactly what I was hoping for -- a great overview of the city for several among us who'd never been to Italy or Rome, a refresher of places where we wanted or had planned to spend more time in the next several days. We got to throw our coins in the Fountain of Trevi, walk around the Piazza San Pietro and admire Bernini's genius of engineering, stroll on the Piazza Navona, and walk around the marvel of the Pantheon.
As it happened, we arrived in Rome on Carnavale weekend (Sat. Feb. 18), and I was eager to try the special Roman pastries called frappe and castagnole that are made only at this time of year. Our driver found a pasticceria near our stop for the Piazza Navona, and we got to sample and buy some of these delectable treats!