There is more to Rome than the churches that have featured here recently and not all of it is good.
Zara Hamid’s MAXXI, opened in 2010, is way up north in Flaminio. It is worth seeing as a counterpoint to the exquisite ancient architecture Rome has in such abundance. Maybe the interior is worth seeing but it was closed when we visited. However, it is enjoyable to walk back to the centre of the city through the Borghese gardens. The pines of Rome are a constant sculptural delight but here they are augmented by avenues of ilex and magnolia.
In the Piazza Navona preparations for Christmas are underway. The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is being turned into a winter wonderland; it will be a snowy scene with lots of little garden sheds selling festive tat.
Note the ancient Roman obelisk above the fountain. Rome has eight ancient Egyptian obelisks and five ancient Roman ones.
Everybody likes a rooftop bar and sunset is the time to be up there sipping some electric soup. We went twice as it was on the roof of our hotel. I was, briefly, a member of Mark’s Club where a G&T some five years ago cost £25 so I didn’t turn a hair when one cost €18 with a fine view thrown in.
