Fortunately, I had already brought Lee to Rome before.  While that first visit was a wet one, it was more comfortable that the record breaking 100 degree temperature days we experienced in July.   We decided to avoid the most major of the tourist sites, and instead went on a little art tour.  We started first with walking to Piazza del Popolo where we went to the Chiesa di San Maria where there are two Caravaggio paintings.   Before leaving that piazza, we walked up to admire the views from the Pincio (last time we were there it was pouring rain) and then headed towards Piazza Navona.  

Piazza Navona and Bernini Before arriving at Piazza Navona to admire the Bernini Fountain (I always have to swing by here..), we stopped at la Chiesa dei Francesi to see three more Caravaggio paintings and to test out a gelateria recommended by Emy.  The gelateria was AMAZING.  I wish it could have followed us all day long.  It was so refreshing in the stifling heat.  

Gelato on a 100 degree day We then made our way to the Villa Farensina - a small and beautiful villa with several Rafael frescos.  They closed earlier then we expected, but we were still able to admire the frescos and cool off before we continued on our way to Castello di San Angelo.   Villa Farensina In all the times I have been in Roma, I hadn't ever stopped in at the Castello.  I'm glad we went.  We spent a couple of hours there visiting the exhibit and walking the grounds.   And when we left, we admired the Bernini statues lining the bridge and headed straight back to the hotel.  We just couldn't handle any more heat!   Once we recharged, we went back out for a little window and chocolate shopping and people watching.  Rome is such a fun city to do all of those things!   Castello di San Angelo Finally, we found somewhere to eat and then decided to walk to the Trevi Fountain.  It's another of my favorite fountains and I can't be in Rome without admiring it and throwing in my coin to guarantee a future return trip.   This year the trip to the fountain was a little disappointing!  It was under construction!  You couldn't get very close and there wasn't a drop of water!   They had managed to rig up a photo of the fountain, a plexiglass wall and a tiny pool of water so the tourists could still throw in their money.   The fact that the Romans had done that cracked us both up, and I of course had to do it.  It was ridiculous but I can't risk not coming back!  :)

We were incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing trip without any disappointments.  I think that's a first for us!  When you spend as much time outside on vacations as we do, you are at the mercy of the weather -- and this time, it did not disappoint.  We baked a little, but it didn't limit us or our experience at all.  It really was perfect!  Pictures from our 36 hours in Rome are here: