Arriving in Rome and after checking into our hotel, we went to see the Sistine Chapel. Tomorrow is a national holiday - Labor day and the Vatican was closed for the next 2 days. It was gorgeous, but we were exhausted. I especially liked the painting of the man over the door with a snake biting him in a delicate area. He had the face of a Cardinal whom Michelangelo was a bit peeved at; the Cardinal made him paint clothing on the naked figures and he was insulted by that so this was Michelangelo's revenge!
May 1 - Labor day in Italy and a Saturday. The town was bustling. We had an early start and a full day of touring the town. We saw St. Peter's Basilica and the Pieta.
Picture of the Vatican
We really didn't have to wait long in line which is the advantage of being in a tour with a guide. I remembered the New York's World Fair when Grandma Ruth took us grand kids and we saw it. We were much closer to it at the Basilica. Then we walked to the Pantheon - wonderful Roman domed building later converted into a Christian cathedral. There is a large opening at the top of the dome where the sun pours through - really incredible.
The Pantheon
Next we saw the Trevi Fountain, which we couldn't get close to because of the crowds.
Tired of battling the crowds on the streets, we ducked into a side street and sat outside for lunch at a little place on a side street and shared a nice Margarita pizza and a beer. Ahhh..... The Spanish Steps were right up that side street, so dodging people sitting everywhere on the steps both Dad and I walked up the many steps to the top. It We had more than enough walking and steps and we went back to our hotel.
Spanish Steps
That night we went out to dinner with our tour group to the Trastevere neighbor hood to a restaurant called La Cisterna (the well). It was so great - this restaurant was built on top of an ancient Roman square, so the basement was actually this square. Walt Disney visited this restaurant and the movie Fantasia, where Mickey Mouse did his magic with the brooms, was based on this location. I could see immediately that this looked very much like the movie. Rita Hayworth hosted a party after the opening of one of her films there and the gossip says she did a strip tease there after having too much to drink. At any rate, a very unique place.
The dinner was very good - pasta carbonara, penne pasta with marinara, lamb - delicious - tiramasu and lots of red wine. They had entertainment too. A singer and a mandolin and guitar player. Cheesy, Italian-American songs commenced, but every one had a blast. It was one of the woman's birthday - CJ, and everyone gave her the roses off of their tables. Her husband had tears in his eyes because it was so special. We all had a great time!
The dinner was very good - pasta carbonara, penne pasta with marinara, lamb - delicious - tiramasu and lots of red wine. They had entertainment too. A singer and a mandolin and guitar player. Cheesy, Italian-American songs commenced, but every one had a blast. It was one of the woman's birthday - CJ, and everyone gave her the roses off of their tables. Her husband had tears in his eyes because it was so special. We all had a great time!
May 2 - a tour of the city of Rome on bus that included the Bernini fountain - "The Tritone" and the church of St. Peter in Chains. Michael Angelo created the most magnificent sculpture of Moses that is still in this small church. Absolutely breath taking!
St. Peter in Chains church; Sculpture of Moses by Michelangelo
Then we drove to Ancient Rome and the Coliseum. Dad and I walked up very steep steps at the Coliseum.
Inside the Coliseum
Laura and Dad at the Coliseum
We were joined by a fellow traveler, Jessie, whose mom has some difficulty with steps. Then the 3 of us went to Palatine Hill and the ancient Roman Forum. Lots of walking!
Arch of Constantine
Roman Forum
Poppies on Palantine Hill
I read in Rick Steves' Italy book about the memorial to the first King of Italy and the fantastic view from the elevator. On we walked and Dad climbed 276 steps to the top of the memorial building. (Great idea, Laura....) There was an elevator there that took us to the very top where we could walk around and see all of Rome. Rick Steves said that the view from here was better even than from the top of the Basilica! Dad was pretty proud of the fact that he made it and he should have been!! It was work for anyone to climb those steps, not to mention going back down.
Laura and Dad and the top of the Victor Emmanuel Memorial
Jessie at the top of the memorial
View from the top
View of the Basilica of St. Peter from top of the Memorial
View of the Ancient Roman Forum from top of the Memorial
It really is a small world, as I met a co-worker at the memorial, right by the elevator! We knew we were both going to Italy and joked 'See you in Italy'. So funny that we did see each other! Walking down the steps was another challenge, and when we finally got down we thought we were going the right way, but were not. Realizing we were lost, we took a cab back up the hill to our hotel - it was a long way and taking a cab was a great idea. We ate lunch at a little restaurant near our hotel, but the food was just okay and expensive. Dad struck up a conversation with a couple at the next table who were from France and very nice, and they offered Dad a glass of the wine they were drinking - Santa Cristina. It was a really nice but inexpensive red or 'Rosso' wine. We've looked for it since, but haven't found it yet.
Dinner was at the hotel. We signed up to eat at different times and were seated with Walt and Becky from West Virginia. Very nice people. Also sat with Patricia from California, a woman traveling alone. Dinner was marginal and the service worse. This at a 5 star hotel. That was okay after our late lunch. I did like the grilled veggies and the seafood pasta was okay. The grouper was not so good. Dad had the beef which was flavorful but even too rare for his taste (it was basically lightly seared and rare). The King of Kuwait was at the hotel and there was a lot of security. Traveling dignitaries and stars are common at this hotel.
The weather has remained beautiful and sunny. The rooms in the hotels are all very luxurious. Our group is all nice and very fun and everyone is having a great time together. Dad is enjoying the company of a couple of guys, one of whom was in the Navy as well. For all the older people, I must say, Dad is leaving them in the dust with his ability to walk and keep up the pace. I think they are a bit jealous.
Chaio
Dinner was at the hotel. We signed up to eat at different times and were seated with Walt and Becky from West Virginia. Very nice people. Also sat with Patricia from California, a woman traveling alone. Dinner was marginal and the service worse. This at a 5 star hotel. That was okay after our late lunch. I did like the grilled veggies and the seafood pasta was okay. The grouper was not so good. Dad had the beef which was flavorful but even too rare for his taste (it was basically lightly seared and rare). The King of Kuwait was at the hotel and there was a lot of security. Traveling dignitaries and stars are common at this hotel.
The weather has remained beautiful and sunny. The rooms in the hotels are all very luxurious. Our group is all nice and very fun and everyone is having a great time together. Dad is enjoying the company of a couple of guys, one of whom was in the Navy as well. For all the older people, I must say, Dad is leaving them in the dust with his ability to walk and keep up the pace. I think they are a bit jealous.
Chaio
