The Borghese Gallery with a Toddler

---

Today we got up very early and walked to the Borghese Gallery. We arrived early, but the gallery is located in a huge park full of fountains and gardens, so we had time to relax and stroll around. The grounds were beautiful, but Katherine was more interested in the trucks that were removing old tree branches than she was in the gardens.

I was very excited about visiting the Borghese Gallery. I had read a lot about the sculptures inside, and couldn’t wait to see them. The gallery was beautiful, but not very toddler friendly. Katherine appreciated the sculptures as much as I did, but she kept wanting to touch everything. After four rooms of near heart-attacks (I kept seeing visions of Katherine pushing over a priceless artwork and a life of in-debt poverty flashing before me), I decided the gallery wasn’t a good place for her. David took her outside to play in the fountains while I looked through the gallery, then we met up, ate a snack in the café, and changed jobs. Keeping Katherine entertained outside wasn’t difficult. She enjoyed chasing pigeons and splashing the cool fountain water on herself.

Afterwards, we walked through the park to Piazza del Popolo. The walk was long enough to dry Katherine’s clothes in the Roman heat. As we left the park, the views of the city were great. We got on the metro at Flaminio Station (another accordion serenade) and went back to our hotel for our afternoon naps.

This evening we returned to Piazza del Popolo which was much more lively than it was in the afternoon. People were sitting around relaxing on the steps, and a groom and bride were getting wedding photos made near the fountains. Next we walked over to the Mausoleo di Augusto. To be honest, I don’t know what that was. It was big and old, but it was mostly covered with vegetation. Then we walked back by the Spanish Steps, followed by a stroll down Via del Corso. Along the way we bought a few things from street vendors. We got licorice for David and cookies for Katherine. David got a T-shirt that says “Ciao Ciao,” but it’s clever because the letters are in cursive and it looks like the Coca-Cola logo. (Okay, maybe it’s not that clever, but David was running out of clean clothes and it was only 5 euro.)

My favorite stop was at a little café for sandwiches, pastries, and gelato. Katherine is getting very good at eating ice cream. She didn’t spill a drop on herself tonight! I had pineapple gelato which was heavenly.

We got turned around in circles following twisting Roman roads on our way back to the hotel, but we eventually made it.

---

Photos

The Park
Katherine and Papa

The Park 2
enjoying the fountains

A Walk in the Park
enjoying the shade and the view

Piazza del Popolo
"Ciao"

The Metro
outside Flaminio Station

Piazza del Popolo in the Evening
enjoying more fountains

We Want Gelato!
in the gelateria/cafe