Day 26

Day 26. . .Today we woke up and it was raining outside, but because it was our last day we went out to explore places in Rome we had not seen. The bus took us south of our apartment to the river, and we stopped by Saint Maria’s Church. The church was beautiful and peaceful. We then waited till the rain let up to stroll around town before lunch. We saw Jesse Eisenberg from the movie The Social Network, and they were right across the street form our café while eating lunch. However because the rain started back up the filming was put on hold. Once the rain stopped we ran into a cupcake shop after finishing another delicious pasta meal. The cupcakes were delicious, Devon had vanilla, Brooke had carrot cake, and Isabel had red velvet. Once we were done it started to pour outside, and unfortunately we turned down an umbrella seller, because he wouldn’t stop nagging us to buy them. We ran to the bus stop, which was about a five minute walk. The bus took us right to our apartment and we relaxed a bit before going out to dinner. After all the pasta we have eaten in Italy we decided to eat some good ol’ American food at the T-Bone Steakhouse right down the street from where we are staying. Brooke enjoyed a juicy burger, Devon ate a plate of ribs, and Isabel Had spicy chicken wings. Over all the meal was a good change from our usual eating habits. For dessert we had ice cream, paid the check, and were about to leave when we realized there was torrential rain. We had to book it to our apartment while slipping and sliding all the way home. Our clothes were soaked when we finally got home, and we were excited to shower for the first time with warm water. After getting into dry clothes we went to bed for the last time in Rome ready for a long day of traveling ahead of us.

Day 25

Day 25. . .Today we woke up with nothing planned. We took the bus to what was supposed to be the Pantheon but we got off at the wrong stop and ended up back at the Vatican. We found our way back to where we were dropped off and went the right direction. The Pantheon is an ancient Pagan temple in Rome, and when the Catholics took over they made it a church. It has a massive dome with huge hole at the center. This is the support for the dome and gives the building a beautiful natural lighting. When we left the Pantheon we wanted to take our time getting to lunch that was suggested by Brookes friend. We shopped along the way and then ate an amazing meal. When we finished lunch we went to the synagogue and took a tour around the Jewish Museum. It was the most incredible temple we have ever seen. It was influenced from the other cultures around at the time such as the Greeks and Romans. There was only one synagogue in Rome and the Jews split it into 5 schools for the Jewish people in the Ghetto. It was all destroyed and there is a piece from all 5 schools within the synagogue to this day. When our tour was done, we walked around the Jewish quarter for a little and then went back to the apartment. It was our first day alone and we only got lost once, we were very proud. We then went to the bus stop and eventually found our way home.

Day 24

Day 24. . . Today we got up early, excited for our first full day in Rome. We headed out to the Vatican, which was the highlight of our stay here. Our guide met us at a café across from the entrance and we then headed inside. It was extremely crowded, but we made our way through the people. Once up the escalator we walked down long hallways filled with sculptures, paintings, and tapestries. The designs were indescribable and the architecture of the rooms were gorgeous. We then made our way to the Sistine Chapel, the most holy church in the world. There were stories on every wall and it was incredible how every tiny detail had a meaning. The artwork was done by many painters, such as, Michelangelo, Botta Celli, Raphael, and many more. Our tour guide spent a lot of time explaining what every painting meant and the reason behind them. Once done, we went to Saint Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. We were told that the Pope’s chair could fit into the smallest part of the dome. When we were done at the Vatican we went out to lunch and ate a very good meal, then to a bus over to the Forum. This was a part of ancient Roma, where the 4 sections; economy, politics, every ruler wanted his own forum, as well as there own chapel. The Forum today are pieces of ancient Rome that were left standing. After a long day of walking around, seeing amazing historical destinations, and a fabulous dinner, we went back to the apartment for a good nights sleep.

Day 23

Day 23. . .We woke up today with intentions of arriving in Rome around noon, however due to a fire in the Rome train station we didn’t get in until 4:30. Our train was delayed, and re-routed to a different station. Along the way we saw beautiful scenery considering we went all the way through the country and coast. It was an eventful day on the train and once we finally arrived, the tour guide met us outside. We started our tour in the car, and we drove past many tourist attractions and piazzas throughout Rome. We went to the Trevi Fountain and threw our 2 coins in for good luck, the Piazza di Spagna, and the Arco di Constantino. We then decided to walk around and take a tour through the colosseo, which was absolutely spectacular. After the colosseo we got back into the car and visited 4 of the 7 hills of Roma. We then continued driving along just to grip our bearings and see more of Rome. The tour guide then gave us a suggestion for dinner and dropped us off there. When we arrived at the apartment after dinner, hoping to take a shower after a long day of traveling, we realized there was no hot water when Isabel shrieked from the bathroom. We immediately called the company and they said they said they are going to send someone over tomorrow. It has been an interesting first day in the city, and there was a lot to take in. Hopefully tomorrow we will have more luck.

Day 22

Day 22. . .Today we went to Pitti Palace, and spent all morning wandering throughout the rooms, and gardens. Every room was filled with some of the best art collections in the world. This palace was originally owned by the Pitti family, however when they ran out of money the Medici family bought over the house in the 16 century, and expanded the house and the gardens. It has been a museum since the 1900s, and has remarkable architecture, and vistas. We then headed to a little café, that was nothing special compared to the incredible food we have previously had on this trip. After eating our mediocre meal we shopped and roamed the streets of Florence. It is a beautiful city that has great energy, and in our opinion, it would be a fun place to live. For dinner we went to the place that Devon and Isabel were most looking forward to. It is called Pizzeria O’Vesuvio, which is where the Jersey Shore cast worked during the filming in Firenze. We were able to meet the owner of the restaurant and he shared stories and pictures of the cast. Afterwards we bought T-shirts and Hats to take home as a little souvenir. When we ate our pizzas and finished talking to the owner we went back to the hotel to get a good nights sleep for our travels to Rome.

Day 21

Day 21. . .Sadly today Eric had to leave us and go back to Boston. We all woke up at 8:45 and had a delicious breakfast before his car arrived. After he left for the airport, Devon, Brooke, and Isabel went to the Museum Uffizi. The artwork was magnificent, the rooms were filled with marble sculptures, and every wall had remarkable paintings with incredible detail. After finishing our tour through the galleries, we passed a leather shop down the street that appealed to all of our tastes.  After buying leather jackets we continued shopping, and dropped our belongings off at the hotel. We then ate at a restaurant across the street that was recommended to us. It was delectable, and when lunch was complete we shopped and wandered around town for the rest of the day. While we were walking we came across the Medici’s, Tombs, made by Michelangelo for the Medici family. After showering and getting ready, we went to La Giostra where we ate another delicious pasta dinner. Once finishing a rich desert we wandered back to the apartment and saw street performers. When we got back we washed up and went to bed, looking forward to our last day in Firenze.

(Sorry, wasn't allowed to take picture in the museum).

Day 20

Day 20. . .Today was another day for travel, as well as Eric’s last day with us. We left San Felice in the morning, after eating from the hotels delicious buffet for the last time. Heading away from the gorgeous vineyards and countryside we headed to Florence. Having only about an hour long car ride, we arrived at our hotel with just enough time to eat lunch, and do a little shopping before we had to meet our tour guide at 2:30. She was extremely knowledgeable and gave us great advice towards where we should visit while we are here in Firenze. Not only did she show us Galleria dell'Accademia, which is where the original David by Michelangelo is kept, but she showed and explained about all of the history within the city. When our tour with the guide was done, we continued to explore the town. After making a few purchases we got ready for Eric’s birthday dinner at a very small restaurant named Caffe Coquinarius, recommended to us by Brooke and Eric’s friends. The meal was outstanding and we walked back to the hotel for a good nights sleep, after a long day of walking. 

Day 19

Day 19. . .Today we visited two historic towns, Montepulciano and Monticchiello. The first town was filled with gorgeous leather and pottery, which was like nothing we have seen before. We then went into the town church, the stain glass was so detailed and the architecture was remarkable. After we stopped by a pottery shop that was recommended to us by a friend. The store was huge and every wall and shelf was filled with bowls, plates, flower pots and so much more. Devon and Isabel climbed to the top of a bell tower of the town hall. There were 167 steps to the top and the view was breathtaking. We then walked bad to the car and drove to Monticchiello. This town was smaller and surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. We stopped for lunch at a cute cafe and we each had a delicious pasta dish was a refreshing cold drink. Once we were so full that we couldn't eat any more, we walked up the road the the towns church, it was smaller than the other town but also had beautiful stain glass windows. We walked around some more and took in all the pretty sites before heading back to the hotel. Once we were back we went on a tour of the wine and how it was made. We saw the barrels of wine and the huge containers that they made the wine in. After relaxing by the pool we got showered and dressed and had a delectable dinner at the hotel and then went to bed for a good nights sleep.

Day 18

Day 18. . . Today we got up early to so we could spend a full day in Siena. When we first arrived we went into an old bell tower and climbed 386 steps to the top. The view was incredible and unlike anything we had seen before. Afterwards we stopped at a pizza parlor for a slice and a cold drink. After we were finished eating, we toured The Duomo. The church was built in the 12th and 13th centuries, and is one of the prettiest in Gothic style in Italy. After viewing the church and its beautiful architecture and artifacts, we wondered over the Siena Civic Museum. The museum houses several masterpieces by Siena and Italian artists. From there we went to the Baptistry of St John (Battistero di San Giovanni), we sat down on a bench and took our time to look around at more outstanding architecture and sculptures. After eating some delicious gelato and looking around the city we headed back to the hotel for the rest of the day. We relaxed by the pool, and then got ready for a tasty dinner. The restaurant was called Osteria Del Castello, and it was placed in the woods. The food was delectable and we were the only people in the entire restaurant. After finishing our meal we headed home for a good nights sleep.