Ruins

It wasn't much warmer today, but it was certainly sunnier with no chance of rain, so we knew we needed to spend our last day in Rome in the famous ruins. Claire's experience told us that we should go to the Forum first since our tickets there would get us into not only the Forum, but Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. She said the lines at the Colosseum to buy tickets are much longer.

The Forum could take quite a few hours to complete, including a walk up to Palatine Hill. So much to see, so much to wonder about. Before we got too famished, we took a long walk to the Travestere District (Rome's Bohemia) to find a little recommended restaurant. The food was only okay, the service not pleasant. I guess the wandering through that part of town was the highlight of that break.

On the way to the Colosseum, we ran into the museum which is running a special exhibit of Giotto works. Giotto is one of Claire's favorite artists, so handed her museum fare and headed to the Colosseum since she'd already been there in January. We planned to meet up in front of the Parthenon at the given time.

The Colosseum was all that I imagined, and I happily took lots of pictures. We met up with Claire at 5:00, but the Pantheon was closed again, this time for services. So we never got to go in.

Our final night included a bread and cheese picnic in the hotel with our final gelato cones for dessert.

Vatican City

Today the weather turned significantly colder, so we headed for an indoor venue, the Vatican. Claire had not seen the Sistine Chapel during her last visit, so we headed there first. We were not the only people with that in mind, as you can see from this line of people. At this point we had made it up the line and were snaking back. I think we were in line for well over an hour, almost two, in the windy, cloudy, cold weather.

Once inside the museum (your ticket gets you into all the museums), you are completely blown away by all the art there. Hordes of people keep pushing you through as you see rooms and rooms of sculptures, tapestries, art, etc. Signs keep pointing the way to the Sistine Chapel, and we were swept away with the tide of people toward the destination. I'm not sure how long it took, but we finally made it into the chapel, which was not at all what I imagined. It felt more like a vault with an amazingly high ceiling.

Of course, you could see the famous picture of Adam and God reaching towards each other, right in the middle of the ceiling, but every inch of the chapel is covered with art. We were supposed to be quiet and not take pictures, and the guards kept telling us that in about four languages, but people were paying no mind to the orders. I didn't take photos, and besides, they wouldn't have turned out very well, anyway. We must have staying in the crowded room for about 15 minutes before we felt we could move on.

We worked our way back to the hotel for a little nap before we struck out for the most delicious spaghetti dinner I have ever had, and I think it was my favorite meal during the trip.

Roma!

Saying good-bye to Tuscany and our great little B & B in Arezzo, we took off for Rome. We dropped off our little blue Fiat at the Rome Airport and took the Leonard Express into the main train station and walked the few blocks to our little hotel. By 3:00 we were ready for a stroll, so we did all the free things within easy walking distance of The Galatea Hotel. The Spanish Steps (and the church at the top of the steps), Trevi Fountain (with the obligatory throwing of the coins), and the Pantheon (which was having a concert, so we could only peek in the door a little).

We enjoyed a delicious pizza dinner at the recommended restaurant that was on the same block as our hotel.