Above: Micah often grabs the camera to capture what's interesting to him. This is one of his shots of the Pantheon, taken on our first evening in Rome.
Tour Day 7 | Wine Tasting, Rome at Night
|
"In Rome, yellow is just a shade of green!" |
A Colosseum Joke
by Meg & Neil Roman Citizen: "Hey, Caesar, how do you know who's going to win the gladiator contest?" Caesar: "That's easy! I call 'em as I see 'um!" |
TRAINER TRAVEL TIPS | packing
Bring a coin purse. Euro coins can really add up! A piece of great advice we received from our Rick Steves travel consultant, Lisa Friend, was to bring a small coin purse to corral all that loose change. Bonus, ours had a tether that tied to the inside of our day bag, making it a bit harder for a pick-pocket to nab. Pre-trip, set aside a bag or box and begin tossing in items you'll want to take as you think of them. (E.g. earplugs, coin purse, laundry lines, etc.) This makes assembling the final suitcases easier. Pack twice, leave once. If you're not a frequent traveller, by all means, have a practice packing session! Make sure everything fits, and that everything makes sense. Question each item critically and edit, edit, edit. You won't be sorry, we promise. |
Tour Day 8 | St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum
- More transportation lessons! Today we learn to ride the Street Car and then experience a thrilling, albeit bone-crushing, morning commute on the Roman Metro en route to Vatican City.
- Meet local guide Ludovica and tour the Vatican Museum, capping our visit by viewing Michelangelo's legendary masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Then, Ludovica and Rainer scoot us into St. Peter's Basilica through the "secret" back way, just before it closes for an afternoon mass.
- Afternoon & Evening on our own in Rome. The Trainers pant our way to Castel Sant'Angelo where we have an over-priced lunch (and a Kristi has a melt-down).
- Feel somewhat restored after mind-blowing Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro (another spot-on Rainer rec).
- A Roman rain shower makes for a romantic vibe on the Spanish Steps.
- Per Rick Steves Rome Guidebook suggestion, we purchase our picnic dinner on the Via del Croce at Focacci, and let the gentleman behind the counter be our guide. We fill in the rest at the Despar minisupermarket a few doors down.
- Stroll our way home passing: Augustus' Mausoleum, Victor Emmaneul Monument, Trajan's Column and take pictures of the Colosseum at twilight before crashing for the night at Hotel Lancelot.
"Rome is everything I imagined and more. The heat is unbelievable, and the city is intense. We are determined to conquer it one step at a time! Gelato helps. Lots."
-Facebook post, Kristi |
Tour Day 9 | Monuments of Ancient Rome
|
"The Big 3 cities of Italy have been fantastic.
Now we're ready to change up the pace and the scenery.
Off to explore St. Benedict in Norcia, and St. Francis in Assisi." - Facebook Post, Kristi
Now we're ready to change up the pace and the scenery.
Off to explore St. Benedict in Norcia, and St. Francis in Assisi." - Facebook Post, Kristi