When in Rome

Our first stop in Italy was Rome, which was really different from what I expected. I don't know why, but I guess I was picturing something kind of rustic and romantic. Rome is crazy! Granted, we were there just a couple of days before the European soccer championships, so I think that added to the craziness. But everywhere we went there were giant crowds of tourists. It was hard to move without bumping into someone taking a picture, or someone trying to sell something. So a little too touristy for me, but still very cool to see such amazing historical sites.

Our first stop was the Colosseum, which really was amazing to see, even with Steve chanting "Maximus, Maximus" in my ear ;) After that we explored some Roman ruins and Piazzas and monuments. It was so, so, so hot, and with no trees anywere for shade, so we were forced to get some gelato to cool down ;) Actually, we were forced to get gelato every day in Italy, sometimes twice a day. It really is so good! I was so excited to discover that there are Italian gelato places near our new apartment in Miami, because I have been missing it! Steve remembered where his favorite gelato place was from his last European trip, right near the Trevi fountain. So we visited the fountain and threw our coins in, and then got our giant 4 flavor cones.

Next we headed over to the Spanish steps and the Villa Borghese park, which was my favorite spot in Rome, with a beautiful view of the city. Finally the romantic Rome I had been looking for! Steve bought me a rose from a vendor in the Piazza del Popolo, and we ended the night with, of course, Italian food for dinner.

The next day we got up early to try and beat the crowds at St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum. It worked at St. Peter's, we got in with no line and were able to spend some time admiring the amazing cathedral, including Michelangelo's Pieta. By the time we left, the line was already long for the Vatican, so we had to wait out in the hot sun with our 3 euro cans of soda :( It was worth it though, the museum had a really great collection, and of course, the Sistine Chapel was a must see.

After we left we had an awful Italian lunch....win some, lose some... and while wandering kind of aimlessly we happened to come across the changing of the guard outside the palace! We were so glad we got to see it since we hadn't heard anything about it, it was really cool. They had a band playing the National anthem and two military groups exchanging the post, it was a fun thing to watch. Then we went to the Pantheon, which we had seen from the outside the day before but not the inside. Next we walked over to the Saint Angelo castle, and then had some dinner and went back to the Trevi fountain to see it at night and get gelato for dessert.

We had been planning on spending a third day in Rome, but since it was so crowded and crazy there, and since we had already seen most of the main sights, we decided to head north the next morning to give us a little time in Switzerland at the end of the trip. To see all of our Rome pics, click HERE.