We flew to Rome that morning and found our hotel, Inn at the Roman Forum. I would recommend it in a heart beat because you are so close to everything, but it is tucked away behind the crowds of the Forum. It actually has Roman ruins in it and there was a beautiful terrace that overlooked the city where you could eat in the afternoon as the sun set...talk about a romantic place!
Check out this chandelier, it hung from the top of the 3rd floor all the way through the winding staircase to the first floor!
This became a joke if you didn't notice the other identical shots in the last two countries...
The little alley you could see out of our hotel room window.
The hotel recommended this little place around the corner called, Tavern Dei Fori Imperiali. Out of this world pasta!! Chris had some sort of veal and truffle pasta and I had an eggplant parmesan; talk about a spectacular way to begin a trip in Rome.
Lunch....mmmmmmm
We then met up with our tour guide, Daniella, who ushered us off to the Vatican for a full afternoon. As we left our hotel, Daniella dispelled the mystery of the numerous running water fountains all over the city - public water fountains to fill up your water bottle from a natural spring. Cool huh? This one was right outside our hotel, so we always filled up before heading out.
It is amazing how much she was able to tell us; enjoyed touring the grounds and seeing the many stone statues that inspired Michelangelo's painting in the Sistine Chapel. If you are ever there, make sure to look at how his painting style changes from very detailed to large and less detailed as time wore on. Definitely consider Daniella as a guide if you travel over there, because there is so much to see and there is no way you would be able to discover so many great facts without her! Here is her website:
http://www.rome-tours.com/
Touring the Vatican
I must admit I don't remember why this bizarre art piece was in the Vatican, but we snapped a picture in front of it. I do believe that they have similar ones all around the world.
The last stop in the Vatican was a tour of St. Peters Basillica. Absolutely stunning! Here is Michelanelo's Jesus and Mary.
Okay, the weirdest thing to me (some day I will get over it, but so strange to me still!!!) was the fact that they have multiple popes that have been embalmed and they are relics for the church. They are in glass cases for you to see!!! Daniella confirmed this fact and if you want to see a pic to prove it, check it out. Bizarre!!
Another interesting fact from our tour guide, Daniella, was that there are now hardly any stray cats left in Rome. When I first visited Rome back in 2002, everywhere you looked there were stray cats. Especially in the Forum....apparently there was a movement to spay all the cats because there were so many and they were becoming a problem...too many cats and tourists! Now they are almost scarce. We did see this one ready to go for a ride though.
View as we left the Vatican
Castel Sant'Angelo
We toured this church as we waited for the restaurants to open (we were hungry again!).
Had to try some pizza and wine, washed down with an espresso. Nothing like a bit of caffeine to help you get to sleep.
Our last stop was the Trevi Fountain and gelato of course!
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