Last Day in Rome

Considering how close everything is and how easy is is for us to get around Rome, it's not surprising that we've seen everything we planned by now. (Also, considering Bryan is a power-walker and is having trouble just sitting and relaxing, without always feeling like something needs to get done!). We changed our plans to not come back here in two weeks, and instead extend our stay in Sorrento.

It's so hot, it's exhausting! The morning started out cooler than normal, which was nice, but it's been almost too much this afternoon. I love the heat but not this much when there isn't an ocean, lake or pool nearby to cool off in! Tomorrow we go to Venice and I think the temperature will be a bit more bearable, though rainy.

Bryan has been craving a "real" breakfast, not the cereal, yogurt and pastry offered at our hostel or the many other eateries. Even McDonald's here only offers cappuccinos and pastries! Yesterday we walked by a small vendor displaying their "American Breakfast" of toast, eggs, cheese and bacon, so Bryan thought that's where we should eat. I'm game so we went. I regret not taking a picture now, and after €16 each we aren't going back, but it was quite laughable. The eggs were good - scrambled just the way we both like them (but they didn't ask how we wanted them). However, the rest was definitely not an "American Breakfast". We were given dry, white toast with no butter or jams, a slice of cheese, and a salad of lettuce, tomatoes and mozzarella. The bacon turned out to be deli meat - ham, salami and prosciutto. Overall, we weren't impressed (and since I don't eat that meat I sure didn't get my money's worth), but kudos to them, for trying!

We braved the bus, with only one mishap, to see the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus. Again, we weren't allowed pictures, but what an amazing little tour! Over half a million graves were discovered in this one (out of Rome's existing 60), and it is 4 stories deep and many, many miles long. This was another great history lesson for us. We both were very satisfied and happy to have experienced this.

Our next stop on the bus was to the oldest church in Rome (and the first residency of the Pope), dating back to the 4th century, A.D., Saint John in Laturno. It's absolutely stunning inside!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To view some more professional photos, click here.

This concluded all the planned sites to visit while in Rome, so we went back to Piazza Navona. I absolutely love this spot! Today it wasn't as busy as yesterday so it seemed more peaceful and calm. We went for lunch at one of the piazza restaurants, Tre Scalini, because I read it was highly recommended.

Our meals were so yummy!

Insulata Mista

Tortellini with truffle sauce

(I've been wanting to try this delicacy - very earthy but so tasty!)

Their famous Tartufo dessert!
















I've become quite interested in the sculptures of Bernini as they are intricate and intimately tied to the Vatican and Rome. You can find his work all over the city and I managed to come across a few sculptures of his.

Fontane dei Quattro Fiumi (Piazza Navona)

Fontana del Moro (Piazza Navona)

The Elephant and the Obelisk (Piazza della Minerva)

Bernini sculpted the elephant.













At Bryan's request, we also attended a museum exhibit that featured working models of many of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions. Bryan especially liked the spiral 'helicopter' model.

While this has probably been our most laid back day, the excitement must still have been too much for him as he had another 3 hour nap today!

We walked by a crowded restaurant on Sunday so we figured it must have a tasty menu. Last night we tried it out, and the food was very good. I was able to have salad (yay!) and the chicken in tomato, pepper and onion sauce was scrumptious. However, we are finding the service to be varied and this isn't corresponding to the price or style of restaurant. Just a curious observation we've made. Overall, people in Rome seem friendly and willing to assist though.