Tuesday, December 18, 2012

When in Rome.....take pictures! Holiday Tour Trip 2

 Warning....there is a ridiculous amount of pictures in this blog!  I guess it's better to have too many than not enough though.  Without a doubt, Rome is the most historically significant city we have visited to date...which found us wanting to drink a little less and walk a little more. (A.K.A. this was not Madrid) We walked, walked, and walked some more and I still have the feeling that we left only scratching the surface of the city.  I have heard from several people that you only need two nights to see Rome...I call B.S!  Once we arrived we immediately began covering ground visiting several great sites in the first night not wasting any time.  There is nothing quite like seeing Rome at night. It was amazing walking around only to turn a corner and be at the base of a monument or ruin that is hundreds or even thousands of years old. It helped that our hotel was in a great location that was very near the Colosseum so naturally that is where we started. That thing is gargantuan in real life (think Arizona Cardinals stadium built for gladiators instead of football).  It was a great place to begin, we didn't get to go in because it was too late but very impressive none the least.  After that we hit the Forum (ancient Rome city center), the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain (my favorite), and finished the night at the Spanish Steps (where a flower vendor fell in love with Alicia and briefly chased her around forecfully offering her a rose).  The following day we went to Vatican City.  The museums were incredibly impressive while the Sistine Chapel dominates any artistic display found anywhere in the world (my opinion of course and also Nicole's favorite).  Luckily it wasn't too crowded and we were able to sit and really enjoy the ceiling frescoes done by Michelangelo. I don't know how long we stayed in there but it could have definitely been longer. Alicia waited in line to visit St. Peter's Basilica which is one of the largest basilica's found anywhere in the world. (her favorite...me and Nicole wussed out but we plan of returning and will go next time).  Sunday came way too fast, but on account of the beautiful weather (and the only sun Nicole and Josh have seen since summer) we managed to have a wonderful day walking through the Borghese Gardens and eventually eating a great lunch near the Spanish Steps followed by some of that super Gelato that you can only get in Italy.  This was an amazing city to visit and remember you didn't hear it from me that you only need two nights to see it all.  Rome is now at the top of my "re-visit" list.  Next stop Brussels.....a little more drinking and a little less walking!
 
 
 
 










 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 









 







 










 














 










 







 












 
 
 







 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 



 

 

 

 


 
 

1 comment:

  1. Only two comments...Glad to see Josh as a gladiator. Nikon 1.

    ReplyDelete