Rome... We are totally in love!

We woke up and headed off with no great plan in mind... We used the Vatican as a starting point. Walking into St Peter's Square gave me goosebumps, I'm not particularly religious but there is just something about that place, it makes you want to sit and stay to just let it all sink in. We were in awe of it's size and beauty, we just stood and stared at it for ages. We walked down the Main Street to Castle Saint Angelo and then across the river into West of Rome. We spent about 3 hours exploring the city, we saw Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona and then wandered over to Trastevere for some delicious lunch and huge beers. We walked back along the river towards the Vatican, which is a pretty amazing beacon home, and ended up going into St. Peter's Basilica. The line was massive in the morning, by 5pm barely any one was there (Probably because the Sistine Chapel closes at 3pm) luckily I'd thrown a scarf in our back pack so I was able to get into church. That was another take your breathe away moment, it's so beautiful inside that church. Everything is perfectly placed and so amazing to look at, we spent about an hour looking around the church, including going down into the crypts. We wandered home to have a light dinner and an early night so we could get up early the next day. 

On day two of our Rome adventure, we bought a ticket on the 'hop on hop off bus' which takes you to all the main attractions in Rome. It wasn't as good as the London one, mainly because it was a recorded tour instead of an actual tour guide but we got a better view of how far we were from everything and the best direction to walk in. 

We jumped off at the Trevi Fountain stop, after driving past the Piazza Del Popolo and the main shopping district. I was totally devastated to see it was closed, I have been looking forward to seeing that fountain for as long as I can remember, it was such a disappointment to see it all covered in scaffolding, but we will be back, and at least it's being maintained so my children will be able to experience it's grandeur in many (many many) years to come. We hopped back on the bus and got to see the Spainsh Steps, the Barberini District, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggorie and other main sites, finally jumping off again at the Colosseum stop. Entering through the Arco di Constantino and gazing up at the Colosseum was pretty incredible. It made you feel pretty insignificant and small (especially in the crowds), I want to use the word breathe taking again, because I don't really have another word for it. We had pre bought out tickets on the bus (it's a must do, the line was so long and we walked straight in plus it only cost €2 extra). Alex was considered a child because he was under 25, so just a little mortifying when I had to ask for an adult and child ticket... We walked around the colosseum for ages, using an guide app that friend had told us about. If you've seen Gladiator, it's pretty easy to imagine just what went on during that era but getting an insight to it now was incredible. The history of that place blows my mind. 

We wanted to explore Palastine Hill and around the Roman Forun but we were just so over the crowds. So we jumped on the bus and got a great view from the outside, we got to see the Capitalone Museum, Aracoeli Stairs and the Il Vittoriani, which is an enormous building that stands at the end of Via Del Corso, a straight road full of shops. We made it back to the Vatican and wandered through it's back streets for somewhere to eat, we found a cute street with a pretty average lunch but delicious gelato place next door :) 

We had a little rest and then jumped on the bus back into the city, we got off at Piazza Venezia, and took in the site of Il Vittoriani more then headed down Via Del Corso to get lost (a normal occurance) and find some dinner. We stopped at a lovely place in a little lane and paid €35 for two courses and a carafe (oh those carafes... I shared this one) of wine. It was delicious, or was it just Rome that makes everything more delcious? Sitting people watching, with wine, pizza and the one I love, why wouldn't everything be better. We could have sat there for hours, but there is too much to see, so we walked towards the Pathenon (which was closed) and took it all it's beauty. We then walked home... Again... This time the Vatican was really our beacon, all lit up and beautiful. 

I think we walked about 30kms during our 3 days in Rome, it so easy to just to just keep going, there is so much to see and experience. 

I've decided that when I get back to London, I want to learn Italian, just like my Grandmother did all those years ago. There is something about the language that I love and I've had a lot of fun trying to understand it. 

Day three started off a bit slower, we called the Stephens families which is always hilarious, whether it's the kids going crazy or Lorraine trying to give advise which gets interrupted by Sophie, Alex and Jonno pulling ugly faces (don't worry Lorraine, I'm listening :). 

With not much of a plan for the day. we head along the river (and had the BEST granita of my lifetime) and walked up to Piazza del Popolo, then down Via Del Babuino to gaze at all the expensive shops and cars. We made it to the Spanish steps and then down into the shopping district. Where I spoilt myself to a bikini top, a t shirt and shorts, costing a whole of €25... Alex didn't find anything he liked so we stopped for lunch in another lane way and were treated to amazing pasta, this time with no beers. We walked back towards the Piazza Venezia, and hopped on the bus to home. 

Buses are an experience, no one pays, you just squash into people you don't know and hope you don't get pick pocketed (which we didn't thank god). We packed our bags and went to a local place to grab some dinner (Alex has steak he was over pizza and pasta). We headed home, gelato in hand for our final night in Rome! 

My favourite parts of Rome: 

1. The water fountains, with ice cold water coming out of lions mouths or something cool. 

2. There is always something to look at. 

3. St. Peter's Square 

4. Pizza

5. Gelato

Things I didn't like about Rome:

Nothing...