It was another train ride getting from Florence to Rome. The train was speeding through the Italian countryside and reached our destination in a short time. Grand Hotel Palatino, along Via Cavour, was a brisk 15-minute walk away.

We were self-booking ourselves today. Today, we decided to walk the streets of Rome and visit the tourist sites. Foro Romano and Palatino (Palatine Hill) were not really that far. Google maps on our phones was an easy reference and it gave us a straightforward direction. Close to Foro Romano and Palatino were the Altar of the Fatherland and the Colosseum. We thought that these should be enough to occupy the remainder of the day. We headed first for the Altar of the Fatherland.

The crowd was sizable and the ambiance was festive along Via dei Fori Imperiali. People were walking in both directions. The street performers and vendors were crowding the sidewalks. The sidewalk in front of the Altar of the Fatherland had a steady stream of people walking past it. Its step were filled with people just hanging around or patiently waiting for their turn to take a photograph. It was off-peak season for tourists.

There was a very short line of people at the entrance of Foro Romano and Palatino (Palatine Hill). The line was only there because security was inspecting all the backpacks and purses. Once past security, we walked with the steady flow of people around the forum and hill area. We looked at the ruins and read all the signs posted in front of it to know its significance.

The Colosseum was the next site that we explored. The massive structure has withstood the test of time and looked magnificent even in ruins. We walked inside and around the colosseum. We were imaging the Colosseum during its heyday – the seats filled with people and gladiators on the arena.

Early evening found us walking along Via dei Fori Imperiale. It was less crowded but still festive. We reached Piazza Venezia and was wondering why there was a big crowd of people. There was an unlighted Christmas tree and a dressed-up choir beneath the tree. It was the night of lighting the Christmas tree at the Piazza! We waited for the lighting of the Christmas tree and we listened to the choir sing. Of course, dinner was pizza along Via Cavour before heading back to the hotel for the night