The best thing about walking everywhere, while on vacation, is accidentally stumbling upon a gem of a place that you just know you must discover. That’s what happened to me with Day 4 in Rome. I happen to be walking about Piazza Navona, when I noticed an insignificant  small street and decided to take it because I wanted to see what was past the main plaza.

About 50 meters in, I came across what was labelled as  Hotel Raphael, a five-star luxury property, hidden behind a wall of leaves. I walked towards the main entrance and was immediately greeted by a bellman, who so kindly waved me inside, even though I am sure he knew I didn’t belong there. He escorted me to a small elevator leading to their roof garden and suggested I have  a drink while I rest my weary feet from all the walking.  Of course I wasn’t going to argue, I simply followed his instructions and rode the elevator to the fifth floor and exited towards a small set of steps leading to the roof garden.

As I stepped unto the last step going up, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the most wonderful and breath taking views of Rome. I didn’t know whether to take a seat or circle the grounds  so that I could take a hundred photographs of every nook and krany visible through my camera lens.  As you can imagine, especially those who know me, I quickly dropped my backpack on a chair and ran around like a little girl taking a hundred or more photographs before enjoying my champagne and cavier (yes cavier!).

Please enjoy and remember the photographs are the property of http://www.rawsilkandsafron.wordpress.com.