Our last stop was Rome. At the beginning, it was very overwhelming, crowded and big. After coming from quiet Spoleto, and even Florence, it was a bit of a shock. After the first day and getting our bearings a bit, the city was very manageable and, once again, completely fascinating and beautiful. As much as I thought it would be my least favorite, I ended up loving it and being truly intrigued at the history and the art. (Seriously - who am I?!?)
michaelangelo's moses • the sisteen chapel (I can't even!) • raphael's painting rooms at the vatican (did you know that michaelangelo was painting the sisteen chapel at the same time raphael was painting other rooms in the vatican?) • paola, our tour guide • the vatican and all the art the catholic church owns • st. peter's basilica and square • the holy doors open for the year of jubilee • the fun place we had dinner twice • the wvu/steelers bar • the pantheon • the colosseum • the ruins • a 10 hour walking tour • michelangelo's risen Christ • our day on our own • 15 miles walked that day (with a few minor detours!) • the trevi fountain • walking the circus maximus • the presidential palace • walking the river • sant'eustachio coffee • the metro • the capital building (and seeing it one too many times) • i had a terrible sense of direction there and it made me mad because that's how i roll • our cute hotel and steps (but not as many steps as florence) • the old guys playing chess against the young guys
The size of everything. It's amazing. Those letters near the top of that altar - 6 feet tall. No lie.
The holy doors that are only open during a year of jubilee. Which happens to be this year. It's the year of mercy in the catholic church.
You always take selfies at the Vatican.
We stopped by during the day and it was a little nutty.
The view from our hotel room
Ben and Rusty's favorite coffee place in Rome is named after this church. I find the deer entertaining.
michaelangelo's moses • the sisteen chapel (I can't even!) • raphael's painting rooms at the vatican (did you know that michaelangelo was painting the sisteen chapel at the same time raphael was painting other rooms in the vatican?) • paola, our tour guide • the vatican and all the art the catholic church owns • st. peter's basilica and square • the holy doors open for the year of jubilee • the fun place we had dinner twice • the wvu/steelers bar • the pantheon • the colosseum • the ruins • a 10 hour walking tour • michelangelo's risen Christ • our day on our own • 15 miles walked that day (with a few minor detours!) • the trevi fountain • walking the circus maximus • the presidential palace • walking the river • sant'eustachio coffee • the metro • the capital building (and seeing it one too many times) • i had a terrible sense of direction there and it made me mad because that's how i roll • our cute hotel and steps (but not as many steps as florence) • the old guys playing chess against the young guys
So the Vatican was straight up awesome. Loved it. We didn't get to see Pope Francis, but you can't have it all.
The size of everything. It's amazing. Those letters near the top of that altar - 6 feet tall. No lie.
The holy doors that are only open during a year of jubilee. Which happens to be this year. It's the year of mercy in the catholic church.
You always take selfies at the Vatican.
The art! All the art the church owns.
Another one of Michaelangelo's Pietas. Beautiful!
Paola was the best! I think my favorite thing was the art history she shared with us. Especially in the Sisteen Chapel and the Raphael rooms at the Vatican.
The Colloseum! People, you can't even imagine what it's like until you set foot in it. And then learn the history and how it worked and what the people did while they were there and everything. I loved it! It's so beautiful!
We finished our tour with a walk through a really huge area full of old ruins. This is 1st century stuff that was found. Super fascinating.
The Trevi Fountain
It's all just so impressive!
We stopped by during the day and it was a little nutty.
After about a gazillion miles, we walked up the highest of the seven hills of Rome to the presidential palace. It was a bit of a bust and Ben was less than thrilled.
The Circus Maximus (think chariot races)
We walked it. It's 600 yards long. Doesn't look that big. But definitely feels that big when you walk it.
Michaelangelo's Risen Christ
Every church we were in was absolutely beautiful. This one was getting ready for a wedding.
Michaelangelo's Moses
Peter's Chains
Nick, Ba & Greg's patio
And their view
The Pantheon. It was really cool to connect this to a lot of the things we learned in Florence and to the Duomo in particular. Raphael is also buried here. We saw lots of places where people were buried. When you think about it, it's a smidge weird. But whatever.
Learning a little more.
2 years ago and this trip. Same patio. Same people. Love them.
After a long days tour. Is he sleeping or isn't he? He can sleep anywhere. It's kind of like he's an old man that snoozes anywhere.
The back streets of Rome are beautiful and fun to explore.
Although Rome was overwhelming at first, we quickly learned our way around and how to navigate the city. I appreciated so much the history of this city. It was fun to connect Florence to Rome and also see BC and 1st century things.
Every city we visited was totally different and totally engaging. I loved every second of it. This was truly the trip of a lifetime and an incredible experience. I learned that you have to experience and engage in things to really value what you are seeing and learning. And that can go a long way in many areas of life.
