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This photo was taken one year ago tomorrow, the second full day of our Italy-Switzerland trip. I took many photos in Rome and Tuscany, but shortly after arriving in Switzerland my camera gear and nearly a thousand photos from 10 days in Italy were stolen. Ruth Ann kindly told me to make a copy of her Italy photos to edit as I see fit, and she insisted that I use her camera in Switzerland; aside from a few of my Swiss photos, though, I have not been in the mood to work with photos from that trip. But after a year, it's time to really accept that my photos are forever gone. We both think I took this picture, but we're not sure. I took only the 24-105mm lens, while Ruth Ann had a 17-85mm on her camera, so when I wanted a wider view I used her camera; we wrote in a notebook the image numbers that were mine, but the notebook was among the stolen items.

This was taken in front of Trinita dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps (next photo). The Spanish Steps were built 1723-25 to link the church on Pincio Hill with Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the hill. There are 138 steps and the staircase is said to be the widest in Europe (nearly 300 years later, I didn't hear any creaking!). The azaleas (in large pots/planters) were at their peak and added greatly to the beauty of the scene. Does anyone know if they are rotated with other planters, so that summer and fall also benefit from a beautiful floral display?

Rome is full of churches, many with domes. The large dome in the center of the image is that of the Church of Sts. Ambrogio and Carlo; the gabled facade with the oval window in front of the dome is part of that church, as well. The church was built during the 17th century, with the dome being completed in 1668-69 and the facade in 1690. To the right behind the Ambrogio and Carlo dome is the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City; one of the smaller domes of St. Peter's can be made out, as well, on the right side of the main dome.

We had the afternoon of April 28 through early afternoon of April 30 on our own in Rome, before joining a Trafalgar tour to Tuscany that started in Rome. April 29, we walked literally all day, into the evening hours, taking in the sights (and some gelato!) of old Rome; our hotel made the walking distances easy. We'd love to return, with more time in each place; another time, I may chain my camera to me.

Information is from various online sources and the Eyewitness Tavel Italy guidebook (DK, 2010).

Sharon Price, Sadie Carrington, Jane Richardson, all Hilton; Best Business Hotel Chain