After breakfast at the airbnb we walked to the Spanish Steps, climes the 172 steps and then entered the church Trinita dei Monti. This beautiful church was consecrated in 1594 and had two bell towers on either side of the entrance. It was most notable for being at the top of the Spanish Steps.

From there Bill found a church that he wanted to check out, but we somehow got turned around, then I tried to direct us to the restaurant and we got turned around some more.

We finally found Restaurate Colline Emiliane and arrived just in time to get the last table. And it was right beside the “pasta laboratory” where a lady was preparing all of the fresh pasta.

We ordered a mushroom, celery and parmesan salad and truffle tagliatelle. The waitress was kind enough to split both portions for us and to recommend a nice crisp bottle of Rose. The meal was totally mind-blowing. The shaved truffles and fresh pasta were incredible. Hard to imagine that only 5 ingredients can taste so good.

We passed on dessert and walked up to the Borghese Gardens to attend the museum. Unfortunately they were sold out until Oct 2nd. We even tried to sneak in, but were unsuccessful.

From there we toured a few churches - church of Saint Camillus de Lellis (it housed his relics and was very quiet), crossed through Piazza della Repubblica with a massive fountain and went into the church founded on the former Baths - Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (amazing frescos, dome entrance and t-shaped interior, cool brass doors with modern sculptures, excellent Holy Spirit in one dome, cool statue in the courtyard, Moses everywhere), then the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria (the marble statue attributed to Bernini was stunning - the Ecstasy of Teresa, small church but extremely ornate - every inch was decorated, sexy Jesus), Sant’Andrea al Quirinale near a rundown garden (the painting behind the alter was unique in that it showed Jesus on a cross that was “X” shaped and Bill noticed the station of the cross with Jesus physically being nailed to the cross).

We stopped to use the toilets and have wine and water at Vos Roma near the Trevi fountain.

We walked down the hill towards the Piazza de Republic, a huge square with a beautiful fountain with lots of spraying water. On the way we stopped at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. It was very plain on the outside (it was formerly a bath) with really unique, modern doors, it was a beautiful traditional cross shape interior with a mix of old and new works of art, a huge beautiful organ, and then a small garden with a neat giant statue.

We then found the church that Bill had been looking for, Santa Maria della Vittoria. It had a beautiful statue of the beatification of Saint Teresa by Bernini. It was an incredible work formed out of one piece of marble and looks like it was carved from wax instead of stone. The rest of the church was quite ornate and very beautiful.

Then we did some shopping - bought rings, a bracelet and some wine for dinner and wandered back to the place for dinner.

Norm prepared dinner for everyone tonight, a meat platter, mozzarella, garlic toasted focaccia bread for us with a truffle spread. The risotto and fish was great. What a fantastic Roman meal

Then Barry and Lou were gracious guests and lost in euchre to Bill and I four games to one before calling it a night.

Roaming Rome