Rome the Eternal City
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We arrived at our last destination on our tour. We spent 2 days in Rome with our tour group. After settling into our hotel, a group of us decided to go to the Victor Emmanuel Monument rooftop for spectacular view of Rome. The view was breathtaking! RS Advice: "Ride the Rome from the Sky elevator to the roof for the grandest, 360 degree view of the center of Rome - even better than from the top of St. Peter's Dome." It was an excellent way to start our day in Rome!
Later we found an outdoor cafe, enjoyed some wine, and soaked in the city. In the evening we took a passeggiata (a stroll), RS Advice: Dolce Vita Stroll. "This is the city's chic stroll, from Piazza del Popolo down a wonderfully traffic free section of the Via del Corso to the Spanish Steps." We ended at the Trevi Fountain and threw our coins in to insure that our wish would come true and that we would be returning to Rome. I'm humming the song by Dean Martin. On an Evening in Roma… "But in Rome do as the Romans do Will you on an evening in Roma" |
We booked a tour with Walks of Italy called, "Pristine Sistine: The Chapel at its Best". This was a RS recommended tour. Fresh Advice: Take Pristine Sistine tour! We had VIP entrance to the Vatican an hour before the public, explored the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica at their most peaceful time of day. That meant getting there by 7:30AM. We were able to share a cab with another couple from our tour group. The tour was beyond breathtaking. We immediately went to the Sistine Chapel. With only around 20 of us in the chapel we were able to sit along the sides and stare up at Michelangelo's masterpiece. St. Peter's Basilica is beyond description! RS calls it, "The richest and grandest church on earth". After our tour we went to the museum store run by the nuns. We purchased beautiful necklaces blessed by the Pope for our daughters. After leaving the store we ran into our friends from home! They were on the RS Europe in 14 days tour. Small world!
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"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers.
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Oh, Canada!
Our last night with our new group of friends was bittersweet. We had a lively time and many laughs at dinner. The Canadian girls challenged the rest of us, "can we sing their national anthem?" Can they sing ours? Guess who won? Well, we started singing and got as far as, "Oh, Canada". They sang the entire Star-Spangled Banner! Pour them another glass of wine! We shared many special moments together. We said our goodbyes the next morning after breakfast. We are thankful for meeting new friends and have many memories to carry with us for a lifetime!
Thank you Rick Steves Europe!
Thank you Rick Steves Europe!
"We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason."
-Unknown
Best RS Advice
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Best Fresh Advice:
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WOW Moment:
Give Roma a second chance. Our first few days were busy and demanding. We tried to see as many sights as we could. Then we left for 5 days to the Amalfi Coast and returned to Roma for 3 more days. The second time we visited we slowed down! We took our time seeing the sights. The evenings were our favorites. The weather was cool, the sights were peaceful, and we fell in love with Roma! You will too! |