The Spanish Steps

The Pantheon

Day 4 Rome

Today was crazy! We had a huge mix-up. Our wake up alarm didn't go off in the morning. When we woke up, Robert rolled over and looked at his phone for the time and found it was 12:30 PM. Wow, were we surprised! We had reservations at the Borghese Museum at 1:00. We got everyone up and through on our clothes and headed out to find the bus, all within 20 minutes. We went in circles finding our bus stop. After we realized we definitely we not going to make it, we stopped off for cappuccini. We decided we would head to the the Borghese anyway and try our luck at getting in from the no-show reservations so we found the the bus stop and waited... and waited, and waited. Many buses came and went, but not ours. After about 45 minutes, we headed down a cross street that had another bus stop sign. We waited a short time and sure enough, there came our bus. After a fairly long and bumpy bus ride we made it to the Borghese. We checked in and we were told to wait until 5:00. We hung out, walked around, had a beer at the museum bar and checked back at 5:00. Yes, they were able to admit us. Everyone agreed, it was well worth all of out effort.

We decided to head to Piazza Del Popolo. The sun was just going down and it was lovely. We took a stroll toward home. The sun was down and we just stopped off in a small piazza for dinner. We ended up at Ciro Ciro Ristorante in Piazza Della Maddelana. Molto buono! Nikko and I had Fettuccine with seafood (clams, mussels, and shrimp), Rose had Lasagna with porcini, Giorgio, had Spaghetti Bolognese, Roberto had Mediterranean salad, and Roman had Pappardelle with Porcini. While we were eating a group of magicians set up in the piazza and serenaded us. Roberto requested Arrivederci Roma which was appropo for our last evening here. As luck would have it, a man was wandering through the piazza and began to sing with the musicians. He was a local opera singer and sang O-Sole-Mio, and and encore of Mamma. He was excellent and it made it an amazing evening! We head out to find we were just down from the Pantheon. We headed back to the apartment having gelati on the way home. It was a great day. Buona Notte Roma!

Day 3 Rome

We woke up and thought we had plenty of time to get to our appointment for our Vatican tour. We headed in the general direction and the found that out was much farther than expected. We rushed the rest of the way, getting there in time for the tour. Our group was much larger than expected, but our tour guide Angelo Carotenuto, from LivItaly tours was excellent! The Sistene Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica were amazing! After our full day, we headed for a late lunch at La Soffita. It was pretty tasty! Next we headed home for a nap; We are definitely assimilating.

Later in the evening we strolled around Rome-- back to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. We headed back toward the apartment with a stop off for dinner (12:00) for pizza and afterward gelati. It was another great day!

Campo De'Fiori

Day 2 Rome

On day 2 Rome we got out and checked out some of the sights. After our morning cappuccini we headed over to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Forum. We spent most of the day taking in the sights. It was a fairly warm day and the sun was brutal. We then stopped for an unplanned visit to the church of Saint Ignatius which gave us a great place to cool off. We then made a stop for a snack of pizza and beer, the food of champions. Then off for a visit to the Pantheon. Later that evening we headed to a wine bar on Campo De'Fiori where we had appetizers and people watched. Later that evening we took a short stroll to enjoy some gelati. We had a very full and fun day!

Wiped Out!

We arrived in Rome, checked into our apartment and we are getting all settled in. Long day-- we are wiped out. Look for more tomorrow.

Los Angeles International

Having a quick drink and lunch before the flight.

Getting Ready to Leave!!

Having to check sprinklers, water plants, get suitcases ready, passports, packing and madness!!!! oh my!

The Plan!

We are planning a trip to Italy in the Fall and this is a travel blog that allows us to share our experiences with our friends and family.