Thursday, January 23, 2014
Rise and shine! We left our hotel at 4:30 am and headed to the airport. Our plane left at 7:00 am, and we arrived in Rome at approximately 9:00 am. Unfortunately, the baggage claim signage was incorrect, so we waited an hour to retrieve our luggage. From there, we took a train to Roma Termini. It is one of the largest railway stations in Europe and serves as the main hub for public transportation inside Rome. Our hotel was less than a 5-minute walk from the train station. Unable to get our bearings initially, we took more of a scenic route to get there. We finally arrived at the Impero Hotel at approximately 11:30 am for the last leg of our Europe trip.
Fortunately, we were able to get an early check-in. We walked to a local pizzeria for lunch where Keely and I shared a margherita pizza. In contrast to what we're used to in the states, our pizza slice was cut with rather large scissors and then you pay by the weight, not by the slice. It was here where we learned the importance of not just asking for water, but specifically asking for natural water after gulping down a large swig of sparkling mineral water. Bleh.
After lunch, we walked back to Termini and took the underground train to Vatican City. Everywhere we looked from the buildings and sculptures to the ceilings and paintings . . . it was all just amazing. The pictures simply don't capture what we saw and felt.
#34 Visit the Sistine Chapel.
There were so many amazing ceilings throughout the Vatican. Along the search to find the Sistine Chapel, I just couldn't imagine what would distinguish its ceiling from the rest. I know now. Wow. Well done, Michelangelo. Well done. Keely managed to snap a picture before being busted by one of the security guards. (Of course, that trait she got from her daddy.) Once again, the picture just doesn't do it justice.
#35 Mail postcards from the Vatican.
Before I left for Rome, I took the time to make a list of names and addresses so that I could mail postcards from the Vatican. Great plan. Terrible execution. I ended up leaving the list at the hotel. As a result, I could only mail postcards to those whose addresses I had memorized: myself and Mom and Dad. For the rest of you out there, remember that it's the thought that counts!
#36 Visit St. Peter's Basilica.
It took us a little while to find St. Peter's Basilica. Personally, I think Europe could use significant improvement with their signage, or lack thereof. Once we left the Sistene Chapel, we found ourselves outside. A random priest is walking toward us, so I wasn't shy about asking for directions:
"Do you speak English?"
"Yes, I speak English!"
What a relief! I believe he was the first person we talked to on our trip that didn't just speak English. I quickly recognized that good 'ole American accent. He ended up being from Iowa. He pointed to St. Peter's Basilica and confirmed that we were standing in St. Peter's Square. No wonder it looked familiar as it is where the Pope makes his appearances. I thought we were lucky that they hadn't taken down all of the Christmas directions. Although the Christmas tree was starting to look a little worn out, the life-size nativity was just beautiful.
"How did you end up here?"
"Well, my bishop has sent me here for 3 years . . . ."
"So, is this some kind of spanking?"
"I guess it is a punishment, but I see it as a blessing, too. Look around. There are worse places to be, right?"
No doubt. I liked this guy. I hope his three-year stay ends with great success, however that is defined.
Our friendly priest from Iowa told us to make sure we go inside the Basilica: "You don't want to miss that." He was so right.
We left Vatican City by taking the underground train back to Trivini. We walked back to the hotel, dined on ravioli and bruschetta, grabbed some "to-go" pastries for dessert, then called it a night around 8:00 pm.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Our hotel was so centrally located, which allowed us to walk to all of the attractions on this day. First up: The Colosseum.
#37 Feel like the Gladiator and go to The Colosseum.
You just don't realize how massive this place is until you're standing in the middle of it. Kudos to the architects and engineers from almost 2000 years ago! No wonder this place is listed as one of the New7Wonders of the World. Although The Gladiator is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I've seen it at least a dozen times, I'm now inspired to watch it all over again.
After the Colosseum, we headed to the Roman Forum, where we saw lots of architectural fragments and ruins. Ruins has such a negative connotation; however, these ruins are just beautiful.
#39 Do as Audrey did and head to La Bocca della Verita.
In the movie Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck are seen at La Bocca della Verita.
This sculpture is also known as the Mouth of Truth. Supposedly, if you tell a lie with your hand in its mouth, it would be bitten off. Myth or not, I didn't take a chance as I thought, "Best birthday ever!" as I placed my hand in its mouth. No lie.
#40 Eat a slice of real Italian pizza.
Although we had pizza yesterday when we first landed in Rome, today we wanted to find the "real" stuff. That is, we wanted to find a place where the locals eat - where pizza is made in a traditional brick oven. A local told us to stay away from all of the typical tourist attractions. Instead, we were told to cross over the Tiber River where we started exploring alleys of "Mom and Pop"-type establishments. This is where we found Vincenzo alla Lungaretta.
It was refreshing that the owner spoke fluent English, although with a thick Italian accent. He spoiled us with lots of attention. Perhaps he felt a kinship due to the fact he has a brother who has been living in New York for 30 years.
We ordered bruschetta, margherita pizza, arugula and tomato pizza, and bucatinni with bacon and tomato sauce, highly recommended by the owner. Mmmmm. Eccellente!
#41 Go to Campo de' Fiori, the oldest market in all of Rome.
Campo de' Fiori was so charming. In English, this means Field of Flowers where local vendors set up stations where you can buy a variety of gorgeous flowers as well as "veggie-tables." (Keely and I kept giggling about the pronunciation.) By the time we got here just after 3:00 pm, half of the market was being street-cleaned. Afraid we missed something, we planned on returning tomorrow.
#42 Visit Piazza Navona.
This city square has been featured in a variety of films including Ron Howard's Angels and Demons, the sequel to The Da Vinci Code. The fountains were stunning!
#43 Visit the Pantheon temple.
Once again, the architecture was so gorgeous. I didn't realize until we walked inside that the Pantheon is used as a Roman Catholic Church.
#44 Drink genuine Italian coffee at Sant' Eustachio (especially the gran caffe).
Our last stop of the day was to have coffee at Sant' Eustachio, just a short walk from the Pantheon. Some say it is the best coffee in the world. Although I'm glad we had a chance to experience it, we did not feel the same way. In fact, Keely and I both took a sip, tried to take another just to give it a fair chance, posed in front of the sign, and then discreetly left both cups on one of the outdoor cafe tables. Bleh.
After walking back to our hotel, we were quite exhausted from such a packed day of sight seeing. In fact, we were even too tired for dinner. So, we grabbed a variety of pastries "to-go" and called it a night. (We're on vacation, remember? Pastries for dinner? Life is good.)
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Last day in Rome. Time has flown. We accomplished so much yesterday, so today was at a considerably slower pace. It was a really nice way to spend our last day in Europe.
#45 Walk the Spanish Steps.
When we arrived at the Spanish Steps, somehow we arrived at the top, not the bottom. So, it wasn't difficult to walk down these 135 steps. Twice we were approached by individuals shoving fresh flowers in our hands and then expecting euros. They were annoying and unsuccessful. I guess I understand, though, their attempt at making a living.
#46 Shop down the Via Condotti.
This street begins at the foot of the Spanish Steps. It is the center of fashion shopping, including such designers as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Armani. Let me clarify. It was fun to window shop as we didn't make any purchases.
#47 See Corte Di Cassazione.
Such a stately, judicial building, it's the perfect spot for Italy's Supreme Court.
#48 See Castel Sant' Angelo.
Since we missed London's Hogwarts Castle (or Alnwick Castle) as well as Highclere Castle from Downton Abbey due to winter closings, I was looking forward to seeing this one in Rome. Popes have used it as a castle, but now it is a museum. We didn't take the time to go inside. We simply enjoyed the architecture, including the bridge leading up to it. That's Vatican City in the background.
Our last main attraction was the Trevi Fountain. Along the way, though, we returned to Campo de' Fiori (see #41 above). This time, though, we were able to see many more stands besides the flowers: fruits, "veggie-tables," clothing, miscellaneous tchotchkes, etc. It was fun to look around. I saw a gorgeous, rough wooden bowl and pestle that I wanted to get as a souvenir. I was planning on returning after lunch, but forgot! Bummer. We dined outside on "real" pizza one last time at The Roma Beer Company.
The Fontana di Trevi, or Trevi Fountain, is one of the most famous fountains in the world. I can see why! It's amazing. Following tradition, each of us threw a penny into the fountain to ensure our return to this fabulous city.
#50 Eat the best gelato in the city at Il Gelato di San Crispino.
Last but not least, we stopped for some gelato. As you can imagine, you could find gelato on just about every corner. Once again, we were on the search for the best. This is why we insisted on Il Gelato di San Crispino since that was its reputation. We sampled three flavors: honey, hazelnut, and chocolate. All were so delicious!
We leisurely walked back to our hotel, rested, walked to the train station to purchase tickets for tomorrow, then had our final dinner in Rome at Terme Di Diocleziono. Keely and I split the tortellini soup and tonnarella cheese and pepper pasta. Both were delicious. Perhaps even better was dessert: tiramisu at its finest as well as more chocolate gelato.Why not, right?
We were back at the hotel by 7:30 pm, then packed and ready for our trip home tomorrow. Like London and Paris, Rome was fabulous!
Sunday, January 26, 2014
This whole day was just for traveling. We left our hotel at 6:15 am to take a train to the airport. It took us about 12.5 hours to fly from Rome to Atlanta. By the time we landed in Nashville, it was approximately 7:00 pm. Brutal travel, but what a wonderful feeling to be back home.
I can't thank Steve enough for the best birthday present ever: truly a trip of a lifetime with my best friend. I can't thank Keely enough for her gift of time in planning this trip. I'm go glad she got to experience it with us. And a huge thank you to all of my family and friends who sent well wishes on my big day.
In good 'ole Nashville: Fifty is nifty!
In London: Nifty fifty!
In Paris: Cinquante est astucieux!
In Rome: Cinquanta รจ nifty!
