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!
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Building detail.
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Building detail.

RomeRomaRome ItalyItalyРимИталияRuSuRuSu PhotographyRoma Capitale

  • Crossing the Tiber towards the Trastevere neighborhood. Julius Caesar had his garden villa here & during the Middle Ages, it was predominantly a Jewish Quarter.
  • Outdoor restaurant in Trastevere, Rome's Greenwich Village.
  • The Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere, one of Rome's oldest churches (340 AD).
  • Interior of the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere. The central mosaic is from the 13th Century.
  • 13th century mosaic detail in the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere.
  • Baby Jesus in the manger at the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere.
  • Rustem reflecting in the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere.
  • Jesus in the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere.
  • Mary in the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere.
  • Nativity scene in the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere.
  • Natasha & Semyon at a restaurant in Trastevere our last night in Rome. They, too, were Visa winners.
  • Russian Christmas in Rome. (1.10.2012)<br />
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Back from our whirlwind trip to Rome. On Orthodox Christmas (January 7th) we had dinner with a couple of the other Visa winners including this young boy, Semyon, who enjoyed setting off sparklers in honor of the holiday. <br />
<br />
Hope everyone had a good week. Will try to catch up in the coming days. It's back to work time here - somehow it doesn't feel as if we've had 10 days off...
  • Building detail.
  • No admission.
  • Walking into the light. This couple were walking ahead of us as we headed to the Villa Borghese .
  • Shadows on the wall.
  • EKE - it's a car! (3.10.2012)<br />
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For all the car enthusiasts in our community, I thought you might get a kick out of this. I've seen some pretty small cars throughout Europe, but this has to be the smallest ever - I felt as if I towered over it & I'm only 5'. Seems it's a relatively new type of car classified as a micro-car that runs on diesel - yikes or should I say yeaks!<br />
<br />
Special thanks to Billie for suggesting yesterday's challenge. It was wonderful that so many participated with so many interesting & creative shots. I'd love to know how some of them were created - perhaps there should have been a caveat suggesting a view of the original shot - anyway great stuff & congrats to all.
  • Contemporary architecture.
  • Contemporary office building detail. (5.3.2012)<br />
<br />
Thanks for all your comments yesterday on the young Communist girl. Seems to have offended a few of you. It was NOT a political statement, but a capture of a major event in the city we live in where millions of people still support the Communist Party & believe in the ideals of communism. As an American raised on the principles of free speech, I certainly defend her right to express her ideas.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the snake's still slithering around - Melissa actually had the #1 shot of the day. There's always someone looking to beat the system - no matter what that system is :)
  • Approaching the Villa Borghese Pinciana.
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