Rome - The Eternal City
We found it hard to say goodbye to a city that we fell in
love with, but we knew that Rome was our next stop and was undiscovered to us,
so we were thrilled to carry on! It
didn’t take long to settle into our spacious room in Rome and then after lunch Keith
quickly acquainted us with the metro and gave us strict instructions about
being safe with our belongings. Then we were on our way to the
Colloseum. With our local guide Alessandra we had an extensive tour of
the Colloseum, Roman Forum and Piazza Campidogilo designed by Michelangelo. Alessandra's vivid descriptions brought to
life all the ruins in our minds. Our tour ended at the Pantheon with its large
stone columns and circular opening in the top of the dome was all very impressive.
After an authentic Italian meal of bruschetta like none other, pasta, pizza and
unlimited wine, Uncle Keith escorted us on a night walking tour of the Four
Rivers Fountain in Piazza Navona, The Trevi Fountain, (unfortunately under renovation) Hadrians
Temple and the Spanish Steps.
Roman Forum...Candid Shots
Roman Forum Highlights
Group Dinner in Rome
Rome Night Walk
Vatican City - Rome Day 2
The next day we were up early and took the metro to the
Vatican and had an extensive tour of the Vatican Museum with our local guide Ilaria, ending at the Sistine
Chapel. After all these years, finally setting our eyes on Michelangelo’s
ceiling was awe-inspiring to say the least. Then during free time, together with our Rick
Steves audio guide we drank in the incredible beauty of the Basilica. After lunch at a nearby side-walk cafe we
joined up with our pre-booked Scavi Tour for a private pilgrimage to the burial
place of St. Peter below the Basilica which took us right back to actual 1st
century tombs as well as to the tomb of the Apostle. Later that evening, overlooking the Four
Rivers Fountain at Piazza Navona, we finished our day thinking back over this
amazing day over dinner.
Vatican Highlights
Old World Charm of Rome
With all the major sites in Rome, it's easy to miss the Old World Charm that this large city has to offer. Our three choices for Rome are the sidewalk café where we had dinner, the beautiful Four River's Fountain on Piazza Navona (with a full moon rising behind...just say'n), and of course, like millions before us, relaxing on the famous Spanish Steps at night. Now that's amore!