Rome

 This morning we took a bus ride to Amalfi, then a ferry to Positano, and a 3-hour-train ride to Rome.  Quite the travelers! Croissants. The breakfast of champions!

 Our itsy-bitsy room in Rome at the Cosmopolita Hotel.

 The streets of Rome were filthy but so full of history you could almost see past that.

 The Pantheon.  126 AD.   One of the most magnificent things I saw.  The outside is so deceiving because the interior was breath-taking.

 Outside the Pantheon on the Piazza.  We had fun people-watching and playing, "Who's American and Who's European"?

 Trevi Fountain.  Swarming with people.  And we learned they collect 3,000 Euros from the fountain each day.

 The Spanish Steps.

Scooters, scooters everywhere.

 Pizza for dinner.

 The following morning we visited The Vatican including the museums and St. Peter's Basilica.  I was pleasantly surprised by the whole thing.  Just so much amazing history to behold.

 Now that's a BIG TOE!

 These carvings are just so amazing to me.

 As well as the mosaics.

 And how about the hallways covered in art.

 St. Peter's Basilica was definitely a hi-light on the trip for me.  The grandeur, the art, the size, and history!

 St. Peter's in the background.

 A fortress near the vatican where endangered Popes often took refuge in.

The lemons around here are soooo big!  And then here's me wondering if this is really what I ordered. Ha ha.

We were quickly becoming gelato connoisseurs. This was some of THE BEST we sampled. 

 After waiting, and waiting, and waiting for a bus on the other side of town, then witnessing a fist fight on another bus, then finding the right bus, only to have the driver disappear mid-trip, we hoofed it to The Colosseum on our weary little legs.  It did not disappoint.  Well the bathrooms did, they were so very nasty, but the actual site was really something!

 Then with a little more daylight we explored Palentine Hill and The Forum.  Marci even got to utilize one of the handy fountains that are constantly flowing.

 This area dates back as far as 500 BC.  It's just so mesmerizing for me.  In fact, I'm still having dreams about it all.

 The roads and pathways aren't too easy on the feet or the ankles but they are quite pretty.

 Our last day started out at Capitoline Museum.  Lots, and lots, and lots of statue art.  The guys' eyes glazed over quite quickly. :)  Here they are on a set of stairs Michelangelo designed to allow riders ascend and descend without dismounting from their horses.  They led up to Old Rome and looked out toward the Vatican representing the past and present of Rome.  Neat!

 One of my favorite pieces.  A blonde Mary with her baby Jesus.

 The gardens at the Borghese.

 My yummy balsamic and bacon pizza.

 Nathan and Caleb buying Italian ties.

 Another stop at the Pantheon.  The ceiling was just so incredible.  How?!

I'm sorry, but this drinking fountain is just too gross for words.  Saw plenty of people utilizing it however.

 We really wanted to check out the sights all lit up in the evening so we forced ourselves to be awake way passed our bedtimes.  It did not disappoint.

 Another pizza dinner.  The place was cute, the dinner was just meh.

 Floating street performer.

This trip really exceeded all my expectations.  Not only did I get to experience a fascinating part of the world, but I got to pal around with my best bud for over a week.  Nothing sweeter.  It was also just so much fun to travel with Caleb and Marci.