Day 1: Rome
Arrival in Rome, Papal Address, Walking Tour
The shuttle from Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport dropped us off at Hotel Museum around 10am, a few hours before our tour group was scheduled to meet. After freshening up, we left our bags with the friendly staff and set out on our first of many journeys through the city.
Just a few paces from our hotel were a steep set of stairs. They lead to the expansive Vatican City wall. We traced the wall that separated Italy from the Papal Estate right into St. Peter's Square. As we stepped into the shadow of the Basilica we were magically transported back into antiquity. The grandeur and awe inspiring attention to detail provided the perfect backdrop for the entirety of our adventure.
Wednesday, 12p | Papal Address
Buddy check
Our first tour meeting had us and 22 strangers congregate on the terrace of the Hotel Museum. There we met the bubbly, vivacious, and undeniably the best tour guide ever, Patricia. We were a collection of people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and retirements. Patricia, in an effort to convert strangers to travel companions, instituted a 'buddy system', similar to the American movie classic "Heavyweights." We each chose a buddy and set out for an evening on the town.
A quick trip on the metro and we were squarely in the heart of Rome. Despite the cacophony of people and macchinas (cars), Patricia expertly shepherded us through the city. We stopped at the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and other ancient Roman wonders.
DA PANCRAZIO
nelle rovine del Teatro di Pompeo
To conclude our first night in Italy we ventured deep into the ruins of the Pompeo Theater, which is now serving as a cat sanctuary. Patricia stopped us in front of a discreet door and we entered into Da Pancrazio to "dine where Cesar died." We enjoyed wine and pasta, and were serenaded by a solo guitarist for our first group dinner.
Click and slide the arrow from right to left to see the same view hours separated.
Our first day in Rome concluded with a delightful twilight stroll along the banks of the lungotevere (Tiber Riverfront). The Castel S. Angelo, Corte Suprema di Cassazione, and Piazza San Pietro were beautifully illuminated and made for pleasant images to dream about once nestled back at the hotel. You can check out those photographs on the homepage.
Day 2: Rome
Vatican City, Sistine Chapel & the Pantheon in the Rain
Outside the Vatican Museum we met our Roman-centric local guide Elairia. She was full of zeal and passion for her mother city. Prior to entering the Vatican Museum she expounded the virtues of creating a"zen bubble," as there were countless other tours happening simultaneously. Her lesson proved invaluable as we conquered space after space in front of the many masterpieces that adorned the ceilings, walls, and floors of the museum. Her detailed and humorous renditions of their histories made for quite the tour to remember.
Hercules
Tower Climb #1
Step Count: five hundred fifty one
la Basilica di San Pietro
Mosaics that adorn the inside of St. Peters Basilica​
The Resurrection of Christ in the Tapestries Gallery of the Vatican
Play the video with sound... it's worth it!
A delightful treat: a rainy afternoon
We traveled by bus for one last waltz through the Pantheon catching the wonderful synergy between man and nature as a light rain cascaded through the open Oculus.
The call for Rich's, "Oh wow!"
St Peters Baldacchino