1. Vacation Travel • Поездки

Roman Holiday (01.2012)

An unexpected, unplanned, non-budgeted trip to Rome courtesy of Visa International.

We had no idea Visa was sponsoring a contest, but we use our [Russian] Visa cards all the time. What a nice, welcome surprise to learn Rustem had won an all-expense paid trip for two to Rome over the Russian New Year holidays. In fact, we almost lost out because I didn't take the call seriously when some marketing agency called while Rustem was out of town on a business trip. They didn't say what the call was about so I just told them to send him an email. That never arrived but, fortunately, they did call back. Four nights at Rome's Savoy commencing January 3rd. The crowds were enormous since Romans were on holiday, too. Still, not a bad holiday present. Thank you Visa International!
Read More
Lion at the base of the Pine Cone fountain.
142 / 288

Lion at the base of the Pine Cone fountain.

RomeRomaRome ItalyItalyРимИталияRuSuRuSu PhotographyRoma CapitaleВатиканVatican

  • The "Pine Cone", a 1st century Roman bronze sculpture. This was originally a fountain which stood near the Pantheon in ancient times. It's the largest pine cone statue in the world.
  • Lion at the base of the Pine Cone fountain.
  • Susan in front of the Pine Cone fountain.
  • Fountain head detail.
  • Grabbing a sip from another fountain.
  • Ancient Roman statue in the Vatican's Belvedere courtyard.
  • Ancient Roman statue in the Vatican's Belvedere courtyard.
  • “Sphere Within Sphere” in the Vatican courtyard, by Italian sculptor Arnoldo Pomodoro. (1990)
  • Bust of Augustus Caesar in the Courtyard of the Pinecone.
  • Rustem listening to our guide in the Vatican.
  • View from a Vatican window.
  • Courtyard bust in a Vatican courtyard.
  • Zeus.
  • Laocoön and His Sons in the Vatican Museum (42 BCE).
  • Rustem listening attentively.
  • Ancient Roman in the Vatican.
  • Map Gallery ceiling at the Vatican (1580).
  • Map Gallery ceiling detail.
  • Map Gallery ceiling detail.
  • The Chariot Room (18th century) in the Vatican's Pius-Clementine Museum.
  • No Comments
  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2023 SmugMug, Inc.