Veni, vedi, vici.
– Caius Julius Caesar, Roman military and political leader

On Tuesday, we retraced our steps to the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona with our friends. While they went back to the apartment with the kids to rest up in the afternoon, David and I remained to return to Piazza Navona and wander the streets on our way back to the apartment. It reminded me of when we first came to Rome 18 years ago. David took photographs while I poked in and out of quiet streets and the hidden treasures of local shops.

Lone rower on the Tiber River. On our way to Trevi Fountain.

Rooftop garden of an apartment building on the way to Piazza Navona.

Artists abound at Piazza Navona.

An explosion of colorful flowers on a balcony along Piazza Navona – a common scene in Roma.

We split up at the base of the Spanish Steps after ascending to the top and enjoying the view. From there, David was my able compass, although we deliberately meandered in and out of side streets. One of the shops that we ventured into was tucked in a corner of a quiet street. Achilli Giotelli (Via dei Prefetti, 44 – 00186, 06 68133661) is a compact jewelry shop. Alexandra, the shop clerk, was very nice and indulged me as I tried on different pairs of earrings by Disegno. I settled on a matte black pair.

Achilli Gioielli jewelry store, Via dei, 44.

Wearing my Disegno earrings while looking out of our Roma apartment living room window.

Wearing the earrings in front of a painting by Tommaso Cascella, artist and cousin to the owner of the apartment we are renting.

Shuttered window on the way to the Pantheon.

Antique and art shops are tucked away on this quiet side street. David and I loved the fact that you could see a reflection of graffiti across the street in the window of this art shop.

Street sign on a quiet intersection.

I loved this little artisan chocolate shop.

When you get closer, you can see the craftsmanship and love put into each little piece of chocolate.

Like little jewels and pretty wrapped presents.

Another street scene, with a gypsy woman walking on one side lined with parked vespas.

Just one of many charming street scenes.

Gelato shop – yes!

Another charming shop along the way home to Via Cicerone.

Walking along a bridge over the Tiber River, with another bridge and the Vatican in the background.

Statue on the Ponte Sant’ Angelo Bridge over the Tiber River.

On the other side of the Ponte Sant’ Angelo Bridge.

Our second night we ate at the Grotto Azzura, a ristorante – pizzeria located two doors from our apartment at Via Cicerone 62/A (Tel. 06 3234586). Jacob, Isabella, and I had a sinfully rich lasagna. We celebrated our first evening as two families with a bottle of sangiovese, which went well with our main course. But I still had room to put away a mamosa cake, which was a very moist yellow cake with lemon crème. It was so good that we ate dinner there the following evening. The owner recognized us and treated us like long-time patrons. At the end of our meal, he offered us limoncello, an apertif made with lemons, which we gratefully accepted. It’s this kind of experience that makes me feel at home in Roma. And I’d love to live here for another six months to a year. In this great apartment in a great neighborhood, and of course, in a wonderful city that is Roma.

David’s flavorful ravioli.

Mamosa cake to round out the delicious dinner.

A favorite restaurant for both families – Grotta Azzurra.