When in Rome....

As a grand finale to our three years in Europe, we spent our last five days in Rome. What a wonderful adventure! The Italians were incredibly nice. We had read about how they love children and that is an understatement. It was a total shock after being in Belgium. EVERY single Italian we met, cooed over and smiled at and complemented our children. Katie, especially was our golden ticket. She was adored by everyone we saw. Cooks came out of the restaurant kitchens to hold her, strangers stopped on the street to crouch down and coo at her. We are used to getting dirty looks when our children are loud or busy but not in Rome. Wow!

We flew in on Monday afternoon and went straight to a little apartment that we had rented near the Colosseum. After a quick trip out to get groceries, we made dinner and went to bed.

Day 1:

On our first full day in Rome we started by walking to the Colosseum which was about 15 minutes away. Here we are approaching the Colosseum:







Then we waited in line. And waited.



After a fiasco of trying to get tickets, etc. (Note to self: Colosseum takes cash, NOT credit cards) we started our Rome adventure off with a bang!

Here is Jeff and I and the kids looking over the area floor from the Emperor's box:





From one end of the Colosseum we got a great view of Constantine's Arch:



It was HOT! About 95 degrees F and very humid. We rigged up a stroller umbrella to our backpack to protect Katie from the heat and sun:



The kids found shade when they could:



After the Colosseum we found one of Rick Steve's recommended restaurants and had lunch. Eating in Rome was going to be a breeze! Pizza for lunch every day and Gelato twice a day!





It was back to the business of sightseeing after lunch. We ventured into the Roman Forum next. These were the streets that Peter and Paul walked.











Katie liked to play in the historic dirt. Maybe she'll grow up to be an archaeologist.



We also ventured up into Palatino Hill where the Emperor's palace was:

By this time of the day we were REALLY hot. The best part of Rome is the abundant water fountains that are everywhere. Good for drinking and for cooling off:





But the kids' favorite way to cool off? Gelato!



By 4pm we were done for the day. We walked back to our apartment and made dinner. We worked out a great system. After dinner we put Katie to bed and then I'd wash up the dishes and get the beds ready while Jeff took the kids out for one last Gelato. This was the life!

Day 2:

After a short metro ride we arrived at the Vatican Museum. We thought we'd only have the stamina for one museum on this trip so we chose the Vatican Museum so that we could see the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms - but we couldn't take pictures of that.



The kids enjoyed the outdoor courtyard:









The artwork was amazing. It was definitely worth it, even if it was a bit tedious for the children.

After the museum we found another Rick Steve's recommended restaurant and had lunch. Katie was a hit with the cooks:



After lunch we headed back to the Vatican and into St. Peter's square (which isn't a square at all by the way) to visit St. Peter's Basilica.

The line was way too long and all in the bright afternoon sunlight, so we played around for a while waiting for the line to shorten:





Later, after going through a shortened line, we saw the Swiss guards that stand watch over the Vatican:



Once inside we were met with more fantastic Roman art and architecture.









Jeff would read us about what we were looking at:



Michelangelo's Pieta:

As you can see above, Katie was asleep by the end of our Basilica tour. I went outside in the shade to let Katie sleep and Jeff and the children took an elevator and then climbed the 342 steps up to the top of the dome. What a view:

Then it was back home for dinner. We ate fresh pesto every evening - I love Italy!

Day 3:

Our last full day in Rome we planned on a long walk through the city. To get to the starting point we had to take a bus across the city. Here the kids are waiting for the bus:



Emily had bought a book about Rome that the kids were looking at.

Our bus trip turned out to be another adventure. Note to self: when you come out of the Barberini metro station, take a left, NOT a right.

By the time we got to where we wanted to be, we needed a Gelato:



The first major sight on our walk was the Pantheon:



I read from our book to the kids about the Pantheon while sitting on the steps:

Inside we found the best column in Rome - the pillar of light that shone from the hole in the ceiling:

The kids wanted to get their picture next to the tomb of Margherita, a former queen of Italy who the cheese pizza was named after:

The next stop on our walk was the Trevi Fountain. I really enjoyed seeing this. The kids dunked their heads in the water but we sure wanted to just jump in and swim in it. It was SO hot!

This was the way were allowed to cool off:

The next stop on our walk was the Spanish Steps. I think I was expecting something more then just stairs. Oh well.

All day I had been telling the kids that after our walk we were going to the Villa Borghese park to play. What an utter dissappointment!!!!! (See below)

We couldn't end on a bad note though - so it was off for more Gelato!

And that was it. The next morning we boarded a plane for America.

Rome was wonderful. I'm so glad we went. Although many people had told us that Rome was a bad city to tour with children, we had a great time thanks to two things: Pizza and Gelato!