We started in Rome, made our way to Florence with a day trip in Tuscany, then to Venice, Venice to Milan, to Cinque Terre and then to the south of France. We started off in Villafranche-sur-Mer. From there we took day trips to Nice and Monaco. Then we headed off to Arles and ended in Toulouse with a day trip to Carcassonne. We had an amazing time and got to see so much! We were also able to fit in some relaxation time. :)
I think Rome was one of my favorite cities. There was so much to do and see and so many historical Christian artifacts to see. It was awesome!
The first day we went to the Colosseum, which can evacuate 50,000 people in 15 minutes, the Roman Forum, where you can see where Caesar was cremated and fresh flowers are still laid daily on his grave, Capitol Hill, Arc de Constantine, Palantine Hill and saw the Circus Maximus from a distance. We also saw the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II; the statue that is in the center is the biggest equestrian statue in the world. The man who sits atop the horse has a mustache that spans 5 feet.
After some gelato and a rest back at the hotel we headed out to Trevi Fountain where we did the traditional coin toss over the shoulder into the fountain. We also went to Piazza Novana and the Pantheon. We got stuck at the Pantheon for a bit as we waited out a freak rainstorm. For dinner we headed to Trattoria der Pallaro where we had an amazing traditional Italian dinner. There is no menu and the cook serves what she buys fresh at the market in the mornings. It was delicious!
Rome day two we headed to the Vatican. As we wandered around we saw ancient Egyptian mummies, Etruscan chariots, poetry and weaponry, Etruscan tombs, Greek statues and busts, Rafael art and modern art. In the map room, we saw lots of maps and tapestries that depicted the history of the church and then we moved on into St. Peter's Basilica, home of the Sistine Chapel. In the basilica we got to see where Peter was buried which was pretty neat. Outside of St. Peter's Basilica we hung out in St. Peter's Square for a bit and then we headed off to find lunch.
After lunch we headed back to the Pantheon and went inside. The Pantheon has a huge hole in the top of the dome. It was used as a sun dial on the floor. It was also the first dome to be built. However, after Rome was conquered, the knowledge of how to build a dome was lost. Many years later architectures from all over came to study the dome of the Pantheon.
After more gelato and a siesta at the hotel we went to the church that has the chains that Peter wore while in jail. Then we headed to the church San Giovanni Laterano which is traditionally the most important church in Rome. It is kind of like the original Vatican. Just around the corner from this church is another little church that houses the marble steps that Jesus walked up when he went to trial with Pontius Pilate. You can go up the steps but out of reverence you need to go up the steps on your knees. The stairs are covered in wood with small spaces where you can see the marble steps. Many pilgrims have come here to go up these steps, so many so that you can see the indentations where thousands of knees have been before ours.
The morning before we left for Florence we went to a little church near our hotel that has the pillar where Jesus was tied to when he was flogged. After seeing this we hopped on the train to Florence.
Being in Rome and seeing all these amazing things, things that Jesus touched, things that his apostles touched. It was quite the experience.
Day 1: July 4th
Day 3: July 6th
I love Rome! So cool! What's with the matching!? haha. So glad you made it there!
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