Rome Day 4

Although I enjoy getting breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn, I eventually get tired of the same breakfast buffet items even if it is convenient. It was already included in the room rate so I couldn't really turn it down.  The plan for the day was to check out Villa Borghese Gardens and the Colosseum.

In the morning, the walk around the Villa Borghese Garden was cut short due to the extensive walking required. The Garden does not have the best signage so having a map is important to figure out where you are within the Garden.I did like the fact that the garden was heart shaped!

Given the number and size of the group, tickets for the Colosseum were booked earlier in the week. It ended up saving us a lot of time as the lines around the Colosseum were long and we didn’t wait long at all. It also helped that we booked the guided tour which always helps you fast track your way through the queues.
Before heading to our assigned tour time, we had lunch based on a friend’s recommendation and had lunch at Vecchia Roma on via Leonina, 10 00184 Rome, Italy. There are several restaurants with this name but this one is specifically near the Colosseum. The signature dish is pasta that is cooked in a parmesan cheese round. The round is supposed to be hollowed out like a bowl and the pasta is swirled in it to naturally coat the pasta with parmesan. Overall, I found it not worthwhile as it was too salty for my taste buds. The pizzas ordered were mediocre as well.

After lunch, headed out to the Colosseum to check out the site. The prepaid tour tickets were a good deal since we saw that the lines were crazy long (not as bad as the Vatican) and we were able to cut through all that to the tour counter. Also, the tour provided us access to parts of the Colosseum not available with a general ticket such as the basement level and the rooftop level. I would advise getting the guided tour if you were to visit the Colosseum.

For dinner, part of the group was separated and I decided to find an Italian restaurant that actually served good food. I found Antico Arco on Zagat and decided that trekking across town for food would be worth it. For the first time in Italy, I had an excellent meal and was happy to pay the five star prices just to eat good food. LOL. I had a taglione pasta entrée and finished with an Italian version of a napoleon. 
Taglione pasta

Napoleon

Happy ending!

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