Rome Rocks!!
Trip Start
Jun 13, 2008
1
9
76
Trip End
Nov 20, 2008
Rome,
Lazio,
Italy
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Arrived in Rome-very nice hotel-very big rooms-but very hot in Rome! Went on a walking tour and saw the Spanish Steps and the Trevi fountain etc. All very cool-but very crowded! Did the usual-toss a coin in the Trevi and wish that you get to return to Rome one day.
Had my first Italian Gelato outside the Pantheon-and it was SO GOOD. Was strawberry and vanilla-YUMMY.
Today we started with an 8am tour of the Vatican. Went through the galleries of statutes, maps and tapestries first. All very nice. Then on to the Sistine Chapel-amazing frescoes by Michaenglo-just very crowded.
Was taken into the crypt and saw the tomb of Pope John Paul II and St Peter. Was amazing-didn't realise St Peter (the disciple) was buried there.
Went into St Peter's Bascilica-was so amazing inside. Really beautiful without being overdone. Amazing mosaics. The Dome was beautiful. Would have been great to climb it-but was too hot and we just didn't have enough time.
Saw the Swiss guards outside and checked out the vatican shop. Anything you buy you can get blessed by the Cardinals and they send it on to your hotel for you free of charge.
Next it was off to the Colosseum. It was very impressive and interesting to see. We had a very interesting guide.
Then tonight we went to dinner at 'Tanagra' where they have a cameo opera show while you eat. Nice meal and the staff were lovely. Back to the hotel where we had a drink at the bar to farewell the people on the 'Meditterean tour' :(
