Fifty-seventh Post From Türkiye: Giving Thanks in Rome

While we have been sojourning in Turkey our good friends the Drydens have been living their lives up in Germany. And we have been trying to plan a trip that we could go on together. Everything came together perfectly for us to spend
  Thanksgiving in Rome!

Hooray! We had so much fun!
We arrived the afternoon before the Drydens were able to get into town so we headed out to do some sightseeing on our own. We started with a walk down the Appian Way. Which is an ancient Roman road that still leads into the city.

Since this trip was my idea, Jack left the planning of the itinerary up to me and Erica. I think we did a fabulous job. Except when I missed the part in the guide book that stated the days that the walking portion of the Appian Way would be closed. Guess what. It was closed the day we were there. So we risked our lives by walking down the driving portion of the road. I look happy but I was fearing for my life! The road was narrow and bordered on both sides by high brick walls, so there was no where to escape from the speedy Roman drivers.

Luckily we survived and didn't end up as permanent guests at the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. The catacombs were really cool, but no pictures were allowed. Weirdly our tour guide was some American dude from the midwest.

I look frightened but I was really enjoying that Bruschetta.

Jack loves to document graffitti.

We stayed in this great apartment that had a fun courtyard. However the five floor walk up at the end of the day was less fun.

The next morning we headed out to visit the Borghese Gallery and Gardens.
The gallery was amazing! Fabulous works by Bernini and Caravaggio as well as lots of others. I LOVED it and I think the boys liked it as well. No pictures are allowed so you'll have to look it up.

The gardens are great as well! You can't go wrong with artists, accordion players, fountains and promenades in an Italian garden. Such a nice way to spend a morning!

Over looking  Piazza del Popolo toward St. Peter's Basilica from Pincian Hill.

Trying to get a different vantage point and this is what I got.

On the way down the hill to the Piazza the "Roman Soldiers" offered me many compliments in way of trying to persuade me to pay for a picture with them.

The entrance of the Tridente from Piazza del Popolo.

After the piazza we headed back to the apartment to meet up with the Drydens. Then Erica lead us on a walking tour of the city.

I can never get enough of European flower stalls!

Piazza Navona

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) designed in 1651 by Bernini.

It's pretty much a sin to go a whole day without at least one gelato while in Italy. We reached that quota and then some, while we were there. Jack even threw in a cannoli just to be safe.

The Pantheon, the present building was completed by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated about 126 AD. Fun Fact: The oculus (that hole in the middle of the dome) is the main source of natural light and is fully open to the elements. Cool, right?

We were fascinated by these spray paint wielding street artists.

Ever since I watched the movie "Three Coins in the Fountain" at my grandma's house I have dreamed about seeing the Trevi Fountain. And it finally happened! And I loved it! However, I was unsuccessful after many attempts to throw a coin over my shoulder into the fountain. The kids found my many misses to be hilarious. So that's nice. Plus I sang the the theme song from the movie a whole lot and that made me pretty happy. 

Hear Frank sing it here.

We ended our tour at the Spanish Steps. What a great spot to finish and what a great group to share it with!

First thing the next morning we headed out to line up for entrance into St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City.

Steve entertains us with facts from the guide book while we wait.

The line actually moves pretty quickly and before you know it you are in the basilica.

It is truly enormous and truly impressive.

More facts from the guide book, this time provided by Jack.

The Pietà by Michelangelo 

The altar with Bernini's baldacchino.

There are so many amazing things to see inside the basilica that it is too much to put in this post. 

After we toured the main floor we headed up to the dome.

This part was easy with the aid of an elevator.

Reaching this part was a little more strenuous with 320 steps.

These girls weren't tired at all!

After we came down from the dome we took a look around St. Peter's Square. Jack wanted a picture of us with the Swiss Guards but he wasn't satisfied with our pose so he took one without us in it. Much better.

Should have sent someone a postcard from the Vatican City Post Office.

Next we headed around to tour the Vatican Museums. 

They are in a word, extensive.

Really amazing but, wow, so much to see.

Trum peruses the map room.

These kids are troopers! Erica is as well.

Just thinking some thoughts with this statue.

You finish the tour of the museums with a visit to the Sistine chapel. But again no pictures so just watch the movie "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (one of Jack's favorites) and you will know what it's like to experience those museums and the chapel for yourself. Or not.

We came, we toured, we experienced, but it wasn't quite enough so after dinner we came back to see it lit up at night.

Aww, love.

Fun traveling via public transport with kids in Rome.

Next Post will include more from our fabulous travels in Roma!