Celluloid Diaries: Rome day 3: Bioparco and Trastevere

Friday, June 6, 2014

Rome day 3: Bioparco and Trastevere

Here's the last bit of my trip to Rome, Italy. The first two can be found at Rome day one and Rome day two.

Our third day in Rome was a Friday and started with a trip to the Bioparco situated in Villa Borghese. I'm in the habit of visiting every zoo I encounter, and the one of Rome wasn't an exception. Bioparco isn't the best in terms of decoration as it is quite old (1911), but as long as the animals are well cared for every zoo is worthwhile, I think. The animals were the usual bunch: lions, bears, alligators, rabbits, guinea pigs...

Bioparco brown bear
Bioparco
Bioparco Rome
Bioparco Rome Italy

After the zoo, off we went to Trastevere where we had vegetable pizza on the patio of the restaurant La Tana De Noantri.

Lunch was followed by a stroll through both the old and new Trastevere. The old part of Trastevere is definitely the most charming and authentic. But both have one thing in common: lots of alleys full of colorful houses, restaurants and bars. So cozy.

Rome restaurant
Trastevere Rome
Trastevere Rome Italy
Trastevere

From there we walked along the Tevere river toward the Isola Tiberina, a tiny island in the river that you can reach by crossing a bridge. There's only a hospital, a bar and a gelato shop, but it's a nice stop between Trastevere and the more historical part of Rome.

Isola Tiberina

The bridge continues to the other side of the Tevere where we found the Piazza Farnese and Campo de' Fiori.

At the end of our day we revisited the most memorable places of Rome that were now lit up against the night sky – the Colosseum, the Fori Romani, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. One of the things that struck us was not only how magnificent Rome was, but also how good it smelled. The numerous orange blossom trees have surely something to do with this.

Colosseum by night
Trevi Fountain by night
Pantheon by night
Hostaria Pantheon

We ended the night with a romantic dinner at the restaurant/wine bar Hostaria Pantheon. Both the food and wine were excellent, and their service was the best in town (they even brought me a blanket when the air was getting friskier). And the best part: we had a view on the lit Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda.

Next up: the Cannes Film Festival!

14 comments:

  1. It really lights up beautifully at night.
    Funny how the giraffes are in an enclosure of sand with plants all around it. That seems cruel.
    And a big city that smells good? Won't find that in the USA!

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  2. The animals at the zoo are adorable! Great pictures.

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  3. What a gorgeous place!!!! Even the zoo looks just lovely!!!! Thanks for sharing!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous! It is a dream of mine to visit Italy...the pizza, the gelato, the beautiful old buildings...the list is endless. Enjoy your trip! The pictures are amazing!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! It's nice to "meet" you!

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  5. It all sounds so awesome! Love the pictures!

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  6. Great choice of restaurant, La tana de Noantri is one of best places where eating so good in Trastevere!

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  7. It's funny--but I don't really think of zoos being in places like Rome! When I was a kid, we visited a zoo in Germany. We even have pictures of it. I just always assume Europe is 100% filled with historic buildings and charming shops and restaurants.

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  8. Wow!! Thanks so much for sharing your trip photos! I truly enjoyed them all ;o) A beautiful vacation you had ;o)

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  9. (^‿^) ❀

    MERCI pour ces belles photos !!! J'aime beaucoup ces lieux et ces animaux !!!
    SUPERBES !

    GROSSES BISES d'Asie et bon lundi chère Vanessa !!!

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  10. Looks like an elegant zoo.

    I would love to soak in those ruins, the architecture, and all that history.

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  11. You know, I actually got goosebumps when looking at the Coliseum (at night) and Trevi Fountain photos. It's 100 degrees out; that's how spectacular these photos are. I'm never been and may never go to Rome, so I especially appreciate your tour.

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