Trip to ancient and modern Italy

The Vatican City is a destination in itself!  I spent four hours there with a lovely tour guide in a small group of just myself and another couple.  Our guide allowed us to skip the long line and with his Master’s in Ancient History, I felt as though I could point at anything and he would explain.  Statues, tapestries, paintings – I walked around with my mouth hanging open in awe for nearly three hours.

The Colosseum is a sight in itself, but walking around the Roman forum allows you to almost picture the scenes that went down.  I didn’t take a tour, but merely walked around picturing the emperors and ministry that stood at that very spot.  It’s hard to turn a corner without falling into another ancient ruin.  Amazing to wander, grab a gelato from a nearby stand and sit for a while and daydream!

Great shopping!  Despite several warnings, most of the shops are open on Sunday except for a siesta period from 13:00 – 14:00.  Luckily, I opted for a late lunch and sat by the lovely Trevi fountain while I waited for the shops to re-open. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Coins are purportedly meant to be thrown using the right hand over the left shoulder.

Being a lady in Italy…well, it’s a different experience in itself.  “Ciao bella!” can often be heard following you as you wander through the street.  Smile graciously and enjoy the compliments!