Roma
Day 8: Rome. In a word; indescribable. But we will do our best!
We set off after an early breakfast to get a jump start on our last destination, Rome! As we took our last bus ride Ben explained our schedule and pointed out helpful information for our free time in our Rick Steves' guidebooks. We arrived in Rome a bit too early to check into our hotel. So our faithful driver Adrian braved the streets to take us on a driving tour of the city. We grabbed a quick lunch with Chad and Tina at a Pizzeria just steps away from our hotel, and met back up with the group to see the Vatican.
We set off after an early breakfast to get a jump start on our last destination, Rome! As we took our last bus ride Ben explained our schedule and pointed out helpful information for our free time in our Rick Steves' guidebooks. We arrived in Rome a bit too early to check into our hotel. So our faithful driver Adrian braved the streets to take us on a driving tour of the city. We grabbed a quick lunch with Chad and Tina at a Pizzeria just steps away from our hotel, and met back up with the group to see the Vatican.
The Vatican was full of statues from antiquity, hallways lined with busts and full bodies carved from marble. It was overwhelming how much history filled the buildings here. We saw Raphael's rooms with floor to celling paintings done by the master himself, including School of Athens. Not to mention the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. No pictures allowed inside the chapel but standing underneath his collage of biblical paintings brought our high school art books to life!
Looking back at the pictures I can't believe how much gelato we actually ate!
We caught a bus back towards our hotel, and stopped for our first glimpse of the Pantheon. We split up for a quick dinner, Josh and I ate at Miscellanea, just around the corner from the Pantheon. (This restaurant is recommended in Rick's guidebook, a great low-key English speaking eatery with big portions at great prices. We even got a free glass of wine when we mentioned Rick)! Then our group set off on a night time walking tour through Rome, highlighting a stop at the famous Trevi fountain to toss in our coins. Then it was back to our hotel for a good night's sleep before our last full day in Italy.
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Day 9: Ancient Rome
Our last full day in Rome focused on Ancient Roman history, beginning at the Colosseum. We met our local guide Francesca and hooked up our ear pieces so we could wander at our own pace but still hear her. We will never forget walking into the Colosseum, the grandeur of the structure that only hints at the beauty that once was. We tried to picture walking in with the crowds roaring and the walls bright-marble white. Seeing such an icon of history was exciting and overwhelming. Francesca helped us remember that the Romans, who were a great but terrible people, used everything including building structure, shapes, and sizes to impress their power upon the people and control over their subjects.
Our tour continued to the Forum and throughout ancient Rome, ending once again at the Pantheon. Francesca was yet another superb guide whose passion for her native Rome gave me a sense of pride just being there! She made this city come alive for us. Before this trip when I thought of Rome I pictured men in togas or helmets and swords. Now I visualize the layers of Rome; the way it's people have built upon and around their rich history blending the past with the present.
When the tour ended we wandered Rome on our own, just walking and looking around each corner to find a column or a statue fenced off. These bits of ancient Rome sit nestled among the streets filled with traffic and tourists. We made our way back to the Trevi fountain and yes, once again grabbed gelato. What better lunch is there?! Then back to the hotel for a quick clean up before our last group dinner. It was a bittersweet time of laughs, recaps, favorite moments, and goodbyes. This small group of travelers became family in just over a week as we shared new experiences and a whole lot of food!
Thank you Ben, Tina, Chad, Gail, Peter, Kathy, Phyllis, Al, Big Rocky and Little Rocky, Maureen, Deana and Jim for helping to make this trip absolutely perfect for us! |