Italy- Rome

 

The 1st wedding anniversary official celebration has happened and was a total success.  Nate planned and booked a week and a half away to introduce me to his favorite country... Italy.  While we were there I was beyond stimulated with all of the new sites, history, culture and busy itinerary we had.  Since being home, I am loving basking in all of the memories we made and the footprints Italy left on my heart.

First stop was Roma... my favorite.  Everyday as we walked around on the cobblestone roads through the old and perfectly made buildings I would tell Nate that I felt like I belonged.  Rome had me smitten, I absolutely fell in love with the city and if ever the opportunity to live there, it wouldn't take much to convince me to do it. 

Rome is a large city with city life, but lived in an ancient setting with clean streets perfectly lined with buildings made with immense character.  There are squares everywhere you turn, shopping like you couldn't believe, and restaurants heavily populating every sweet alleyway.  There was just enough life from people that you always heard the hum of their voices, but not so many people that you couldn't just get lost in the great city.  We got lost a handful of times, but somehow if you keep walking, you always find exactly what you are looking for.  And often times as you walk around you randomly come across historic sites like the Trevi fountain, Coliseum or Pantheon.  I was beyond charmed.

And so I will take you through our day long walks and hopefully recreate some of the beautiful things we were able to experience.  (since my camera is attatched to my hip and I downloaded all the pictures in the order they were taken, this pretty much sums up what our days looked like).

Day 1: 

After a 11 hour flight from LA we landed in Rome at around noon.  After checking in, and taking a cat nap to get us through the afternoon, we put on our comfy shoes and walked down the Spanish Steps and through the streets to get aquainted.  We didnt last long though with our intense exhaustion, and soon found a little pizzaria and had our first Italian dinner before heading off to bed to start off the vacation righ the next day.

Day 2:

Trevi Fountain

 making a wish...

 

The first day we walked from morning to night.  Miles.  The streets were to die for.. we loved every second of it.

 

 The Pantheon

Nate's favorite thing to see in Rome.  I have to say, it is nuzzled up in the middle of common buildings so when you turn the corner and you see this ancient amazing piece of architecture, it really does take you for surprise.

 

 Vatican City

We booked a last minute tour through Vatican City.  Museum on top of museum filled with some really amazing art.  It seemed every wall was decorated with a new amazing piece of art and looking up never failed you as the ceilings were spectacular in almost every room.  The Sistine Chapel was really awesome to see, such a treat to be surrounded by Michelangelo's work.

 

Date Night- La Pergola

In each city Nate took me on a really nice romantic dinner.  Rome= La Pergola a highly rated restaurant nestled on top a hill overlooking the city.  The service was impecable, food great and best part?  We decided to pass on dessert after an incredible cheese selection, but they still brought out a large sterling silver box with 12 little drawers, each with a different baked treat and two ice cream cones each.  BEST dessert of all time.

 

The Colosseum

Hands down my favorite ruin site I have ever seen.

 Breakfast before the tour...

 

The cages animals were stored and Gladiators waited before they were put on stage to fight till death.  (Animals popped up through trap doors)

 

 View of the ruins

 

 Palatine Hill and Roman Ruins

Julius Ceasar was buried in these ruins.

 

 

 Our Last Roman Eve

Our last eve in Rome we went back to the Pantheon to watch the sun set on the building and then back to our hotel hot tub and sauna to relax our tired toes before going to bed.  It was the perfect eve.