Day 2: Rome Cont'd..

This is the longest post ever.. but probably the longest of the trip also.

We drove to the tiny town about 5km away from the farmhouse to take the train into the city. One of the perks of staying out in the country was avoiding driving into Rome. However we parked the car in the lot and started walking into the station. We realized there was broken glass everywhere, probably indicating that we'd likely find our windows punched out when we got back. There was graffiti everywhere and no signs of anywhere to buy a ticket. I just had a horrible feeling in my gut so we left. Using our gps, we found the nearest metro station (avoiding the train altogether and hopping on the subway farther into Rome). This worked out perfectly as it was still relatively easy driving (aka a minivan can park there) and we were 5 stops to the Spanish Steps! Note: Last year we took a cruise as most of you know and spent one full day in Rome, having seen the Vatican and that area. This trip was just to finish up the historical side.

As you can see, D and the girls could care less about the Spanish Steps. It's part of the Piazza di Spagna and has been here for over 300 years. It has been a place for romantics to meet. It's a bunch of stairs. Just one of those things you have to say you saw in Rome.

Val being a goonie. This sinking boat fountain is at the base of the Spanish Steps. It's still powered by an aqueduct (as are all of Rome's fountains).We enjoyed a slice of pizza here before making our way to the Trevi Fountain. As the story goes, if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain it ensures you a return trip to Rome. To say it was swarmed with people would be an understatement. You can find it by listening for the crowd. It's an amazingly beautiful fountain though and I can imagine it to be romantic at night. It was completed in 1762, a project the pope created to celebrate the reopening of the aqueduct.

Note: If you have a wide angle lens, bring it. You can't get back far enough to get the full fountain in a photo! This will be a photoshop collage project.

We took a few photos and were off to the next thing. It was about 97 degrees out and we were extremely hot, the girls melting in the stroller. Poor things! I highly recommend waiting until fall/spring to do Rome!

We were on to the Pantheon and got majorly lost on the way. We took one wrong turn somewhere and were probably a block away but could not find it!! Walking through the narrow streets with wobbly cobblestones reminded me so much of walking in the historic area of Siracusa - Sicily. On the walk we walked through the Trajan's forum area and saw this magnificent column. It's 140ft. high and tells the story of Trajan's campaign, from building the army to victory. St. Peter is now at the top.

We used the Rick Steve's guide to guide us through this area, stopping for gelato of course at the famous gelato place just before the Pantheon. The Pantheon is so incredibly huge and strong.. tiny rows of building along either side as if it isn't even there.. it just creeps up on you. It's magnificent. The marble columns were shipped from Egypt and are the largest in Italy! As with the Colosseum, there are cheesy souvenir vendors out front selling statues, magnets, assorted candies, and "David" aprons. You could also have your photo snapped with a man dressed as a gladiator for a small fee. I passed.


candy stand.. little bars/cafe's sell cute little things near their doors to lure you inWe walked through the Roman Forum next and on to the Colosseum. It absolutely amazed us to think of the history here and where the Roman Empire began. To walk along the road just as Julius Ceasar once did is almost hard to comprehend.

Palatine Hill and the Temple of Julius Ceasar-

By the time we got through this area we basically said, "Yep.. there's the colosseum." Then high tailed it to the metro next door to head back to the hotel. We were all a bit dehydrated, exhausted, and done for the day. We drove back to the farmhouse, kids crying for the full 30 minutes. We showered, regrouped, and headed back out for dinner around 8:30 when the ristorante's are all open.

There is a small town near a lake on the north side of Rome-- It is something like Bracciare? Absolutely adorable town complete with a castle on the hill. We had a lovely outdoor dinner and gelato before calling it a night. I think we went to bed after midnight!! The next morning we would drive to Tuscany--

Pics are around the Rome farmhouse before we went to dinner-

.. to be cont'd.