Everything’s coming up roses – in Rome

Rome is always beautiful in the spring and early summer. One the things I love about the season is how colorful the blooming flowers look against the city’s imposing monuments.

Nothing beats the city’s beautiful roses when they are in bloom.

Each year, I make a visit to the city’s Rose Garden, just off the Circus Maximus.

Each spring brings a rose competition in which roses from all over the world are shipped to the Eternal City to be judged. The winners are planted permanently in the rose garden.

It’s fun to wander around the garden and to see previous winners and the many roses on display.

Their bright colors are even more striking against the ruins of the Palatine Hill visible in the distance.

Another place I enjoy observing the roses is the small area with roses in the Colle Oppio park near the Coliseum. It’s always a pleasure to watch them bloom and know spring is on its way – and these bright colors against the stark white of the ancient arena make for a striking contrast.

If you’re in Rome in the spring and early summer season, make sure to take time to stop and smell the roses.