Today is all about touring Ancient Rome- the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon. Then the rest of the day is ours to explore on our own. We met our local guide, Francesca. We started at the Pantheon and Francesca explained how you used to have to walk up to the Pantheon from the square, but because of many years of flooding from the Arno and the sediment that built up, you now walk down to the Pantheon. She said religious services are still held every Sunday in the Pantheon. Then we walked past Michalangelo's steps in front of the Capitoline Museum. After filling our water bottles at one of the many fountains in Rome, we entered the Roman Forum to see the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Basillica of Aemilia, House of the Vestal Virgins, Temple of Vesta to the Arch of Titus. We exited near the Basillica of Constantine then headed for the Colosseum. It was very crowded by Francesca got us through the line for tour groups. We were set free to explore on our own and could stay as long as we wanted. I stayed for about 2 hours because I wanted to see everything! When I left, I visited Trajan's Forum and saw Trajan's Column and saw Victor Emmanuel Monument. Next I walked to the Largo Argentina to see the Cat Sanctuary. Afterwards, I went back to the hotel to rest for a while then visited the Baths of Diocletian but I found it to be underwhelming. After dinner is time to rest as we are leaving Rome tomorrow morning.

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