10/11/19-10/16/19 Rome Italy

“All roads lead to Rome”, that’s the most famous saying in Italy because it’s true. Rome ruled the known world for over 600 years. Read that again, Rome ruled the world for over 600 years, some people would say more like 1000 years. Think of the wealth that poured into Rome as it’s army’s conquered the world! The city reflects that past glory and more.

After a lovey visit in Tuscany, we left the car in Chuisi, and boarded the train for Rome. It’s an easy two hour trip and we disembarked at Termini Station. Termini is the main train station in Rome and it’s huge. We are staying in an Airbnb close by the Vatican on subway line A, but decided to taxi to our new home as we haven’t mastered the subway yet and are unsure where to go. The taxis GPS says 7.3 km to destination, but 35 minutes later, we are still in the taxi. Riding in a taxi in Rome is quite the experience. Just don’t look is our motto.

We arrived safe and checked into our lovely Penthouse suite, quite the splurge for us.

Checkout that balcony 😎👍

Ok, quick walk around the new hood, check out the subway, visit the local pizza guy, all good👍😎

Rome has a very limited subway system and limited trams/street cars, so cars, scooters, buses and taxis rule the world, crazy place. We take the A line into the city. Very easy and the subway is much cleaner then in 2013, our last visit. Ok, sightseeing we go!

Spanish Steps, crazy with people. They don’t let you sit on them anymore, yeah.

Plazas and viewpoints, Rick Steves says he’s been to Rome over 30 times and sees something new every time, amazing place.

Trevi Fountain.

Ok, Kate, one of our daughters, is flying in from a short stay in London tonight so we met her at the airport. And get started early the next day.

Cindy and Kate wanted to attend Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, so off they go, bright and early. We agree to meet at 13:00 for lunch. Later they email me saying something is happening at St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica is off the table so they are going sightseeing. Ok!

I get to St. Peters Square a couple hours early. It’s a zoo! Everything is closed, security everywhere, turns out they are canonizing five people as saints! Clergy and people from around the world are there, amazing people watching!

I’m standing watching mass on the big screens in the square, Prince Charles speaks, the Pope gives the Homily, cool! Then, people start going nuts, I look up, who goes by…The Pope🧐

Unbelievable! After some time the square quiets down and we take some pics, unbelievable space.

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums over several days.

Ok, the ladies go a sightseeing, and I go home to nap!

The Pantheon and assorted sights.

Ok, third and last day of sightseeing, you know what that means… the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum 😎👍✔️

You have to use your imagination at the forum to visualize the grandeur that once filled the area. Unbelievable history. Buildings from 700 BC to 300 AD.

Rome is an unbelievably beautiful city, it’s very clean and even if the crowds are huge, and they are, it’s large enough to hold them.

It’s a great city.

We are taking the train to Chiusi this AM and picking up the car for three more days in Northern Tuscany. Could be some more wine coming our way👍😎🍷

Ciao! Ciao!😜