Upon arriving at our hotel in Rome this most recent trip, we headed right out for lunch.  It was mid-afternoon and we were craving pizza and a charming spot.  We wandered the labyrinth of cobblestone alleyways around our hotel in the general direction of the Piazza Navona and within blocks, we came upon a tiny cafe and pizzeria in a tiny alley with orange stucco buildings surrounding it.  We promptly took a seat outside, ordered pizza and thus begins the perfect afternoon in Roma.

Following a long and leisurely lunch (as they should be in Rome), we wandered up to the Piazza Navona, grabbing straciatella gelato along the way (with heaps of whipped cream of course) and meandered our way through the piazza and up to the Pantheon.  After sneaking through the crazy crowds, we found some smaller alley ways that led us down quiet streets around to the Campo d’Fiori where we wandered the open market for a bit.  Along the way we picked up fresh pasta to take home and local spices for gifts.  And finally, after weaving through the narrow streets of Rome, we headed back to our hotel for a bit of rest before dinner that night.  The thing about Rome is that the city is best seen without a plan of action, with wanderings, with cobblestone streets and pizza.  The best thing about Rome is finding your way as you go along.