Italy Day 4: Rome

We did not have a ton planned for our final day in Rome, and it ended up being a nice relaxing day. We went to Galleria Borghese in the morning. The musuem contains several works of Bernini. Bernini's Apollo and Daphne is remarkable, and we circled back to check it out twice.

Just before sunset, we headed out to Piazza del Popolo. We strolled from there past many shops and street performers. We wound up having dinner outside in a little piazza just a couple blocks north of the Pantheon. We ended the night with some amazing Gelato at Giolitti's, a famous spot. It was the most pleasant night in terms of weather, probably about 75 degrees or so around 11. We walked through the streets back to our hotel.

Tomorrow we are headed north to the Cinque Terra. Should be fantastic.

Italy Day 3: Rome

We woke up today and headed for Vatican City. We debated long and hard about whether to book a tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica, or use our audioguides. Buying the tour (60 euro) meant skipping the long lines people warn you about. And remeber it is super hot outside. But we decided to take our chances. After taxiing to the Vatican, we walked right in....no line at all!

We started at the Vatican Museum. We traveled through room upon room of amazing sculptures, tapestries, frescos and mosaics. The art is amazing, but the building may be even more amazing. It is a piece of art in itself. The ceilings are just as impressive as any of the pieces lining the halls.

The most famous attractions in the Vatican Museum are the Rafael's Stanze della Segnatura and Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel. Many say that Sistine Chapel is the greatest work of art done by any one man. It did not disappoint, as Stephanie and I look at the ceiling for about a half hour.

After leaving the Vatican Museum, we headed to St. Peter's Basilica. We entered through St. Peter's Square. The sheer size of the square and the church itself is stunning. St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world, and contains the tomb of St. Peter himself, along with numerous popes. Words cannot describe the church itself. It is something I hope everyone has a chance to see for themselves at some point.

After a day of sightseeing at the Vatican, we headed over to Travestere for a late dinner. It is a popular spot for dining among locals. We headed down cobblestone streets and alleys in search of a small family restaurant we were recommended. We found it and had a great true, long Italian dinner. It was fantastic.

Italy Day 2: Rome

Day 2 was a busy and incredible day. I am blown away by being here. I have not experienced anything like this ever before.

We ate a delicious breakfast at our hotel, getting up some energy before we headed out. We walked from our hotel towards the Colosseum. On the half hour walk, we passed by ancient ruins and incredible streets and buildings. The streets are almost all cobblestone. Approaching the Colosseum the first time is pretty exciting.

I will note that there is some major, major heat going on here today. Hot and humid. Purchasing water left and right already.

We had purchased a Roma Pass earlier, which allowed us to walk right past the long line and into the Colosseum...no wait. I had downloaded maps and free audioguides on our iPods, and we started them up when we got inside. This was a great idea I must say. We watched hot tourists following guides in small groups as we strolled around at our own pace listening to our audioguide. Hearing the history and seeing the Colosseum from the inside is awesome.

We then headed towards the Roman Forum, going the wrong way several times before finally landing at the appropriate entrance. The Forum was the beginning of Rome, containing mainly ruins now. Again, equipped with our maps and audioguides, we navigated around on our own, pausing in the shade frequently.

After finishing up there, we headed towards the Vittorio Emanuele monument on Capitol Hill for lunch. We had a tip that this is a great spot, and it was. On top of the monument, several stories up, you can see 360 degrees of Rome. Getting some food and drinks under umbrellas and fans was great.

Next was the Pantheon. The dome ceiling of the Pantheon is unbelievable. I could stare at that for days. I don't get how someone could build it today, much less a couple thousand years ago. After this stop, its siesta time so we grabbed a taxi.

After resting up, we headed back out for dinner. We had revervations at a little place outside Campo De Fiore. Its nightime now, and Rome is bustling with people out drinking and eating in the streets. Almost all restaurants have tables on patios on the cobblestone streets. Ours was no different and we ate a nice meal outside next to another American couple from New York.

After dinner we strolled on a night walk across Rome. We went through Piazza Navona and grabbed dark and white chocolate gelato. Stephanie loved the white. We ate it outside, sitting on the Four Rivers Fountain. We then crusied over to Trevi Fountain, which may be the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I had purposely waited to see it until nighttime, and it was worth it. We ended the night walking up the Spanish Steps.

Italy Day 1: Rome

I will say Day 1, but it was really more like 2. We left Seattle at noon on Wednesday and arrived in Rome at about noon on Thursday. We had a layover at the Amsterdam airport, which was really nice.

After landing and grabbing our backpacks, we got on the Leonardo Express train, which took us from the airport into Termini Station in Rome. The train was hot...it is pretty damn hot in Rome right now in general. Our hotel, the Grand St. Regis, is within walking distance of the station, so we hoofed it over there. After a short walk with our bags, we were hot, sweaty and exhausted, but excited to be here.

We got unpacked and then headed out. We decided to walk toward the heart of Rome in search of a little dinner. I started snapping pictures of amazing buildings as we walked, and shortly realized that I probably should take a picture of just about every building. It is unbelievable. We ended up walking by the Pantheon and some other awesome Piazzas, before settling down in a little outdoor spot for some wine and antipasta. It felt great to relax here.

We walked a bit more and then grabbed a taxi home. We were ready to crash at this point. We had both been up for about 30 hours straight. Looking forward to a big day 2...

Italy

Stephanie and I are in Italy right now for the next two weeks. We will be staying the following places on our trip...

• Rome
• Cinque Terra
• Venice
• Florence
• Orvieto

I am going to do a little blog journal of our travels, hitting up internet cafes when we get the chance.

Home For Sale

We are looking for a buyer for our home in Sammamish, WA. Stephanie put up a website for us. Check it out and pass it along to anyone who might be looking...

http://www.buyinsammamish.com