Chris and I went to Italy over the Thanksgiving break with our friends Nick and Erika Potter. Erika's dad is a pilot for Delta Airlines, so we got a great deal on some buddy passes and we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to go. Not only did we score first class seats on the way there and on the way back, we got to see Cinque Terre, Pisa, Tuscany, Siena, Rome, and Vatican City. Chris was in heaven. We both have wanted to go to Rome for so long. I think Rome was both our favorite place out of the whole trip.
Our first stop was Cinque Terre. We stayed in a bed and breakfast in a city called Levanto just outside of the 5 towns. We got settled in first and then we went out for dinner. Even though it was dark at 5:00 and we were ready to eat, nothing was open until 8:00 because Italians don't eat dinner until late at night. The next day we explored ALL 5 towns. Our feet and legs were killing us from so much walking. Unfortunately, we couldn't walk the trails to each town because they had a massive flood the previous year and it destroyed all the trails. But, the metro was a good break for us. We walked one of the vineyards, ate gelato, hiked up to the city of Corniglia, and met interesting people all along the way. I highly recommend traveling this time of year because there was hardly anyone there. It was great!
After Cinque Terre, we drove to Pisa for about an hour and saw the leaning tower and cathedral where Galileo saw the swinging lantern and got his idea for physics. We then drove through Tuscany and saw the tiny village/fortress of San Gigimnano. This village was a fortress during an invasion, and because the people lived in such tight quarters, most of them got the plaque and the population went from 13,000 to 4,000. It was really cool to see.
After Tuscany, we went to Siena. Erika did a study abroad in Siena and we stayed with her host family for the night. They made us a huge authentic Italian meal that was amazing! We toured the main square where they have chariot races, and we saw the huge duomo (cathedral) they have there. It was all very fascinating to see and we had such a good time.
The day after seeing Siena, we drove all the way to Rome. Driving around Rome is crazy! People are insane drivers and we almost got hit by the train. It was a scary moment. But, we made it to our hotel in one piece. Later that night, we saw the Borghese museum where there are thousands of art sculptures and artwork by famous artists such as Bernini. We then walked down to the Spanish steps and then to the Trevi Fountain. I have to say the Trevi Fountain was one of my favorite sights to see. You are walking through the streets of Rome and you can hear the water coming from somewhere. Then, you turn the corner, and BAM, there it is out of nowhere! It was really amazing to see. We made sure to throw a coin over our shoulder into the fountain.
The next day we saw the Colosseum. I think this was my absolute favorite thing to see. We paid extra to go down below where the gladiators and animals were held. They showed us where the elevators used to be and only one is still marked with a number. Apparently the Colosseum used to be covered in marble, but the Romans later took the marble off the Colosseum to use for the Vatican. After seeing the Colosseum, we went to the Forum and saw where the Romans mingled and also where Julius Caesar's body was burned after he was murdered. People still put flowers on the spot where he was burned. It was pretty fascinating to see just random large columns standing alone and knowing there used to be a huge temple there.
After the Forum, we quickly walked by the Capitol building of Rome, and we made our way down to the Pantheon. We then walked to the Four Rivers Fountain that was made by Bernini and featured in Dan Brown's Angel's and Demons. After that, Chris and I walked to the Castle of St. Angelo (the Castle of the Angel) that was also featured in Angels and Demons. The bridge that leads to the castle has angels all lined up on the sides and each one is holding an element of the passion of Christ. Bernini also designed these angels.
The next day, we saw Vatican City. We first saw St. Peter's Basilica and we paid the extra money to climb the dome. One of my favorite things to see inside was the Pieta statue designed by Michaelangelo at age 24. The statue was a lot smaller than I thought it would be. The detail and structure of the place is overwhelming and breathtaking. After the Basilica, we went up to the Vatican Museum where we saw the work of Rapheal and the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel was pretty amazing to see as well. After the museum, Chris and I decided we would try to take a bus back to our hotel. We got lost and I was a mess! I was so nervous and scared, and Chris was loving it because it reminded him of Finland. We did eventually find our way back to the hotel, thank goodness. That night, Chris and I went to a restaurant close to our hotel and had some of the best carbonara, pizza, and marinara pasta that we have ever had. It was money well spent. We also made friends with some women from Georgia and a couple from Rome that loved to talk to Americans. We had a great time.
Even though the trip was exhausting, we wouldn't have it any other way. We saw so much and got to experience some great things. We were so lucky to have the opportunity to go. Traveling with Chris was so much fun, and I can't wait to travel more with him. Hopefully, Finland will be our next big trip.
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| So excited to be in First Class |
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| Levanto, Cinque Terre |
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| Going from town to town |
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| Siena Square where they hold the chariot races |
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| Siena Square |
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| Gelato! |
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| Duomo in Siena |
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| Duomo |
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| I saw this on the way to our hotel in Rome. I had to stop and take a picture. |
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| Borghese Museum |
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| The Spanish Steps |
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| Trevi Fountain |
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| Colosseum |
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| Down below in the Colosseum |
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| The only elevator pulley still marked |
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| Arch of Constantine outside the Colosseum |
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| The Forum |
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| Where Julius Caesar's body was burned |
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| The Roman Capitol |
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| Four Rivers Fountain |
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| Castle of St. Angelo |
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| Vatican City |
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| Pieta |
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| St. Peter's Basilica |
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| Chris and Nick |
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| At the top of the dome |
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| Levanto, Cinque Terre |
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| Monterosso, Cinque Terre |
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| This is the beginning of the trail, but it is closed because of the flood. They call it the path of love and couples put locks on the gate with their initials. |
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| Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre |
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| Corniglia, Cinque Terre |
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| Vernazza (my favorite town) |
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| Manarola, Cinque Terre. This statue used to hold a dance floor and he used to hold a large trident. |
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| The Spanish Steps |
