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Coming from a small town in Southeastern Ohio, the pace and pulse of Rome was overwhelming at first, but we soon found ourselves proud of the fact that we had navigated the area around our hotel and found several points of interest on our own! The Spanish Steps, the Largo di Torre Argentina, where Julius Caesar was killed, our first Italian pasta, and even the ergonomic water bottles were the first of many "I can't believe we're here" moments.
Coming from a small town in Southeastern Ohio, the pace and pulse of Rome was overwhelming at first, but we soon found ourselves proud of the fact that we had navigated the area around our hotel and found several points of interest on our own! The Spanish Steps, the Largo di Torre Argentina, where Julius Caesar was killed, our first Italian pasta, and even the ergonomic water bottles were the first of many "I can't believe we're here" moments.
Our first breakfast in Rome...maybe it was the jetlag or the adrenaline from dodging taxis, but oh, my goodness, was it fantastic! Fresh squeezed orange juice, cappuccino, eggs, and vegetables (which we would find were a common breakfast offering).
Cannoli: the breakfast of champions.
Later that day, we had our group meeting where we met The Man, The Legend, The World's Best Tour Guide, Andrea! With exhaustive knowledge and inexhaustable enthusiam, we can't say enough about how much Andrea did to make everyone's adventure exactly what they wanted it to be.
Later that day, we had our group meeting where we met The Man, The Legend, The World's Best Tour Guide, Andrea! With exhaustive knowledge and inexhaustable enthusiam, we can't say enough about how much Andrea did to make everyone's adventure exactly what they wanted it to be.
From getting tickets to venues in Rome and Florence, to managing a train worker's strike in Cinque Terre, to recommending the best gelato shop in Volterra, he made the trip happen.
From getting tickets to venues in Rome and Florence, to managing a train worker's strike in Cinque Terre, to recommending the best gelato shop in Volterra, he made the trip happen.
The next day, our local Roman guide, Francesca, was incredible. She really wanted to impart to us that Rome is for everyone. It's the Eternal City. There were so many things that she shared and pointed out, that we never would have known about or appreciated.
The next day, our local Roman guide, Francesca, was incredible. She really wanted to impart to us that Rome is for everyone. It's the Eternal City. There were so many things that she shared and pointed out, that we never would have known about or appreciated.
In explaining how the city has been recycled and built upon itself over the centuries, she is pointing out that the people in the second floor apartment can't open their window without it banging into the adjacent 2,000- year-old wall!
In explaining how the city has been recycled and built upon itself over the centuries, she is pointing out that the people in the second floor apartment can't open their window without it banging into the adjacent 2,000- year-old wall!
The short pillars on either side of this entry are actually the tops of some of the 48 obelisks that were brought to Rome from Egypt. Only 13 are still standing.
The short pillars on either side of this entry are actually the tops of some of the 48 obelisks that were brought to Rome from Egypt. Only 13 are still standing.
An intact obelisk at the Pantheon.
Francesca moved me to tears as she walked us through the baroque Saint'Ignazio, explaining the math and artistry that work together to give the paintings dimension and make sculptures of marble look like they might be ruffled by the breeze.
The dome that isn't.
When you run out of money to build a dome, and you've got incredible artists at hand, you create the ultimate "fake it till you make it!"
The Pantheon was even cooler than expected. Again, our guides pointed out things that would have been easy to miss because so much of Rome overwhelms you.
Raphael's tomb. He was the first artist to be given such an honor.
Under the occulus. (I can't believe we're here!)
An ingenious ancient drainage system, (and my shoe), necessary because of, you know, the giant hole in the ceiling.
Christmas card pic!
Or maybe this one at the Pantheon?
Or the Forum?
Probably not this squinty one on the St. Angelo bridge over the Tiber River. But that's the Basilica behind us! I still can't believe we're here!
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