Day Seven Travel to Rome:
The Tour Group boarded the bus again to traverse from Florence to the Eternal City (Rome).
As we motored through the Umbria Region of Italy, we stopped at a Vineyard for a Wine tasting. (in the moment of honesty, i am not much of wine drinker, but the wines were really delicious actually).
Shortly after arriving in Rome, the group departed for an afternoon walk through Rome before the Welcome to Rome dinner. We walked through the Parthenon (!!!!!!) and the Trevi Fountain (!!!!!).
The History Nerd in me was completely beside myself (mentally) to finally see these historical monuments for the first time in person. To finally be in Rome was some place I have wanted to be in since I was in High School.
The Tour Group boarded the bus again to traverse from Florence to the Eternal City (Rome).
As we motored through the Umbria Region of Italy, we stopped at a Vineyard for a Wine tasting. (in the moment of honesty, i am not much of wine drinker, but the wines were really delicious actually).
Shortly after arriving in Rome, the group departed for an afternoon walk through Rome before the Welcome to Rome dinner. We walked through the Parthenon (!!!!!!) and the Trevi Fountain (!!!!!).
The History Nerd in me was completely beside myself (mentally) to finally see these historical monuments for the first time in person. To finally be in Rome was some place I have wanted to be in since I was in High School.
Day Eight in Rome:
The Tour Group convened for an early morning meet up to take a Rome City Bus to the VATICAN MUSEUM!! At the Museum, we met up with a local guide who led us through the museum while pointing out and explaining multiple notable works of art. It might have been an "early" morning meet up by vacation standards, but it was nice to walk right into the Vatican Museum without having to deal with crazy long lines or as many crowds.
Towards the end of the tour, we were lead into the meticulously painted SISTINE CHAPEL (!!!!!). It was amazing to see in person (finally!).
Then the Tour Guide led us down through the side staircase to exit of the museums that lead to St. Peter's Basillica. The Group was given the choice to do as they wished for the rest of the afternoon. Many people in the group choose to walk around the interior of the Basilica. The opulent decorations of the Basilica were a once in a lifetime waltz through history.
After leaving Vatican City, my family walked to to check out the Spanish Steps, the Castiel D'Angelo and Augustus Mausoleum (which unfortunately seemed closed when we arrived, Darn!)
***Pro Tip***:
Technically there are rules against loud noises in the Chapel, so tour guides are generally prohibited from talking in the Chapel, So it would be advised to download the Sistine Chapel Podcast in the Rick Steves App. Then you can listen to Rick Steves talk about the Sistine Chapel through Airpods/Earbuds!
The Tour Group convened for an early morning meet up to take a Rome City Bus to the VATICAN MUSEUM!! At the Museum, we met up with a local guide who led us through the museum while pointing out and explaining multiple notable works of art. It might have been an "early" morning meet up by vacation standards, but it was nice to walk right into the Vatican Museum without having to deal with crazy long lines or as many crowds.
Towards the end of the tour, we were lead into the meticulously painted SISTINE CHAPEL (!!!!!). It was amazing to see in person (finally!).
Then the Tour Guide led us down through the side staircase to exit of the museums that lead to St. Peter's Basillica. The Group was given the choice to do as they wished for the rest of the afternoon. Many people in the group choose to walk around the interior of the Basilica. The opulent decorations of the Basilica were a once in a lifetime waltz through history.
After leaving Vatican City, my family walked to to check out the Spanish Steps, the Castiel D'Angelo and Augustus Mausoleum (which unfortunately seemed closed when we arrived, Darn!)
***Pro Tip***:
Technically there are rules against loud noises in the Chapel, so tour guides are generally prohibited from talking in the Chapel, So it would be advised to download the Sistine Chapel Podcast in the Rick Steves App. Then you can listen to Rick Steves talk about the Sistine Chapel through Airpods/Earbuds!
Day Nine in Rome:
On the last full day together with the Tour Group, we walked over to the St. Peters in Chains Church to meet up with a local guide who lead us through the church and over to the Roman Forum (!!!). After waltzing through the relatively quiet Forum, we migrated over to the Colosseum (!!!).
The Local Guide walked us through the Colosseum while educating us on the historical entertainment venue (can you imagine being at the gladiator games a couple thousand years ago??).
At the end of the tour, the tour group was given the afternoon to ourselves for free time. Our Buddies and us banded together to walk past the location of the Circus Maximus over to Capitaline Hill to check out the Capitaline Museum. The Capitaline Hill Museums featured some pretty awesome Sculptures.
That evening, the Tour Group met up for the Farewell Dinner near the Parthenon.
On the last full day together with the Tour Group, we walked over to the St. Peters in Chains Church to meet up with a local guide who lead us through the church and over to the Roman Forum (!!!). After waltzing through the relatively quiet Forum, we migrated over to the Colosseum (!!!).
The Local Guide walked us through the Colosseum while educating us on the historical entertainment venue (can you imagine being at the gladiator games a couple thousand years ago??).
At the end of the tour, the tour group was given the afternoon to ourselves for free time. Our Buddies and us banded together to walk past the location of the Circus Maximus over to Capitaline Hill to check out the Capitaline Museum. The Capitaline Hill Museums featured some pretty awesome Sculptures.
That evening, the Tour Group met up for the Farewell Dinner near the Parthenon.