"Remember that feeling as a child when you woke up and the morning smiled? It's time you felt like that again."- Taj Mahal
Side note: I LOVE my new quote books. They make me happy.
Back on track.
ROME!
I would like to say openly that I am one big fan of Rome. I always have been. I just love it. Many people say they can "take or leave Rome", but I am one of the people that thinks Rome is absolutely fabulous. I love everything about Rome. I love what it used to be and what it is now. I love the power and decadence that was ancient Rome. I love the hustle and bustle that is Rome today. I love how you can Rome can be talked about in B.C and A.D in the same sentence. You can stand there and see a magnificent temple, while also learning that even older temples could be buried right below what you are looking at. Rome was built on seven hills and hundreds of thousands years worth of history are in those seven hills. It is simply amazing.
On to the picture show of Rome!
Within the first few hours of being in Rome, I wanted to make sure Russ saw something very special. Back story: I had the opportunity to go to Italy in High School with my Latin class on a 10 day trip. I remember some parts of this trip, but one memory from that trip has stayed in my memory after all these years. It is a crystal clear memory.
The Trevi Fountain.
I wanted Russ to see the beauty of the Trevi Fountain at night. This is when the fountain seems to sparkle and really draws you in. There is something enchanting and magical about the Trevi Fountain.
His mouth was open for a solid five minutes.....
After we threw some wishes into the fountain!
One of my favorite things of the trip. I just adore everything about this magnificent fountain!
The next day we did some sightseeing on our own, then did a tour of the Colosseum, St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, and a few other smaller stops around town!
Top of Spanish Steps (above) and mid-way down the steps (below).
Spanish Steps! LOVED this place! Our hotel was not far from them, so we visited them often!
This large gorgeous building is where the Tomb of the Unknown Solider is located. The size and scale of this building was phenomenal. For example, there is a horse that you cannot really see well behind the Italian flag-- that horse alone is as large as a charter bus! Crazy!
St. Peter In Chains Cathedral. One of my favorite cathedrals of the trip. There is something about this church that made me weak at the knees. It was breathtaking.
Michelangelo's
Moses. Unreal.
St. Peter's Chains....
So, you can give a donation to the church and light a candle. So we lit a candle for our JND :) Even though we were half way across the world, I know EXACTLY where our son was that day. Maybe that is why I loved this church so much. I was overcome and overpowered by things I cannot begin to explain. I could have stayed all day.
Which candle is it? The one sticking out the furthest on the right side :)
And an artsy shot.....
Taking a break post cathedral....
Next up was the Colleseum!
Arch of Constantine was right outside the Colleseum!
A few more sights around Rome...
Roman Forum...
Outside The Forum...
Oh, and crazy awesome delicious dinner!
Map reading while drinking the Vino....He studied and studied and studied every map. I just enjoyed my wine and taking pictures :)
Artsy wine shot....
Next up....Vatican City!
My Graceland.
We spent a significant amount of time inside the Vatican Museums! You cannot possibly see everything in these museums on one trip, that is for sure. It was a blitz trip through them, with ample time to see the most famous pieces. They told us that if you looked at each item for at least one minute, you would be there for four years....clearly we did not have that kind of time :)
This statue was something else. I had no idea that this very sculpture inspired other great works like
The Thinker and can be seen in some of Michelangelo's late works known as
The Prisoners. It is amazing how one work of art (even though it is damaged and it still remains unknown who was the inspiration behind it--signs point to a Greek God) can impact art for centuries. Once we learned about this famous torso, we saw it all over the place. It became common practice for artists to use this very shape in sculpture and in painting.
One of my favorite photos from the trip is below. I just loved catching St. Peter's Basilica reflection in the open window! So beautiful!
A little bit of "Rafael's Rooms"....AMAZING!
Stained glass...I love you.
And now...St. Peter's Basilica. I can't even begin to describe the beauty, wonder, and magnificence that is St. Peter's.
Michelangelo's Pieta.....
This photo below just blew Russ and I away. The way the light is naturally shinning through the windows is just unbelievable. Moments like that only make your faith stronger.
This statue you walk by and rub the foot while saying a prayer or wish!
More of that "Light" :)
I love the Vatican City guard uniforms! They put up with photographers so well. Such good sports!
We did tour the Sistine Chapel, but you are not allowed to have photography during your time there. Talk about AMAZING! Absolutely incredible!
Vatican City is one the most wonderful places on Earth, and I am so glad I got to experience it for a second time with Russ. He was amazed by it all, and could not get over the art, sculptures and St. Peter's Basilica. Not to mention, that "light" we found :)
"The bottles of wine are on sale!"
"Alrighty then!"
The next day we had some time to walk around Rome and sight see before our bike tour!
Picnic on the Spanish Steps!
Artist above the Spanish Steps who I bought some lovely watercolor prints from!
Bike tour time! This was one of our favorite activities of the trip! It came recommended to us from our dear friends that just returned from a trip to Italy a few weeks before us. It was a 5 hour trip around Rome. We asked our guide about how many miles we biked that day, and is rough estimate was 12-15 miles (he was going off a kilometers to miles estimate!). The saying goes, "Rome was built on seven hills" and you felt everyone one of them on the bike! Whew! It was such a fabulous way to see Rome, learn about all the nooks and crannies of the city, and take in some breath taking panoramic views.
He just LOVED his helmet.
Much happier!
At our first stop.....Russ unimpressed.
Circus Maximus!
"My helmet strap hurts."
One of many panoramic views of Rome!
Love this one....
A fun door!
More beautiful views!
"Take my picture!" AKA "I am going to ruin it."
Helmet love...
At Piazza Navona! So fun and full of life!
Parthenon!
Awesome helmet hair!
This little area of ruins is where Julius Caesar was assassinated, so historians believe.
More Roman Forum....
Sunset in Rome! Gorg!
And that, Ladies and Gentleman, concludes our panoramic bike tour of Rome! This is a MUST DO if you are ever traveling to Rome! Absolutely the best way to see and take in this magnificent city. After the tour, we hit the town again for our final evening in Rome!
Oh, Ravioli stuffed with spinach and cheese! Yum. Yum. Yum.
Russ has a thing for ice cream. It is bad. We lovingly joke about his obsession with Dairy Queen M&M Blizzards. It is bad. Well, he discovered Gelato while traveling in Italy.....and well....he found a new love.
His favorite was chocolate chip, or
Stracciatella, as the Italians would say. Second favorite, mint chocolate chip! Happy, happy man in a very happy place with gelato....sometimes even twice a day!
The following day, we had a few hours soak in Rome before our train left for Florence!
Our cute, quaint street where we stayed! LOVED it!
Just had to go back to the Trevi Fountain when it was day time!
Another favorite photo of us! Perfect photo to capture our time in Rome!
More manhole covers....S.P.Q.R translates to "The Senate and People of Rome".
And our hotel!
Off we go to Florence!
And that, is ROME!
The Eternal City.
The Magnificent City.
The city that exudes power and wonder.
We cannot wait to go back someday!
Thank You Rome for a wonderful four days!
Next up, Florence! Can Florence top Rome? We will see :)
Bring it.
Love,
Emily and Russ
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