Rome was the next day. This was really the day that I thought “holy shit, we are HERE!” We had a private tour courtesy of the most awesome parents ever and our tour guide, Lorenzo, was awesome. We hit the Coloseum first and I really learned a lot about the history there. When Gianna asked where we were this time, my sisters told her that the Ancient Roman’s used to play here. So naturally, she wanted to know WHERE the Ancient Romans were….. Aunt Krissy told her they were nocturnal. It wasn’t quite satisfactory to her, but we all enjoyed the conversations that ensued!
Trevi Fountain was our next stop after a riveting drive around Rome. Road rage takes on a totally different meaning over there. And traffic laws seamed to have zero meaning. It was intense!
A fabulous lunch and Vatican City followed.
If you have a bucket list, no matter what your religion, please put the Vatican on it. It is literally breathtaking to see the paintings, the statues, the ceilings, floors – EVERYTHING.
We were able to take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel, which - AWESOME!
^^do you see the face? ^^man touching the hand of God [on the ceiling]
St.. Peter’s is even bigger than I could have imagined and really, it is all just very overwhelming.
We got Gianna a rosary before we left, which is the one thing I really wanted to get for her.
Pisa and Florence were up next. The tower? It leans REALLY REALLY far!
Florence is a great city, we didn’t have a guided tour there – but we walked around, saw some Jersey Shore landmark’s, ate some awesome food, saw one of the coolest Baptistery's ever and just had a good time.
Oh, and I bought a genuine florentine leather jacket. You guys, it is the most beautiful jacket ever – and it is so soft. And pretty. And it has my initials in it and it’s just beautiful!
France was up next, we didn’t see much of Toulon – or at least what we saw wasn’t much to look at. We did find a cool fountain, McDonald’s for Gianna and cappuccino/crepes for the big kids!
On the boat, Gianna ice skated for the first time, which was quite an adventure (for Mike and Aunt Cori anyway!)
we had another formal night and just hung out and relaxed for the next day.
OH! And Gianna celebrated Halloween by being a tiger!
It was sad to head home, and even though we were all ready to be back in our own homes, and despite more ridiculous airline issues, we were all still smiling at the end because, honestly, how could you not be? it was an experience like none other. One that surely wouldn’t have been possible with out a big dream, amazing parents and grandparents who talked so highly of the country they were from that we HAD to see it for ourselves.
Arividerchi! Can’t wait to come back again!
If you want to know ANYTHING about our trip - ask! I’d love to share more!
Part 1 of our trip
Over 1500 pictures of our trip
Wasn't St. Peters' amazing? I think that was my favorite part of Rome. (Although I have a special place in my heart for the Trevi fountain, too). And Florence was incredible, but mostly because I had studied so much of it in my history of architecture classes. Sounds like you had an awesome trip!
ReplyDeleteWasn't St. Peters' amazing? I think that was my favorite part of Rome. (Although I have a special place in my heart for the Trevi fountain, too). And Florence was incredible, but mostly because I had studied so much of it in my history of architecture classes. Sounds like you had an awesome trip!
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