ROMA, ITALIA (PART 1)

There's a famous quote that states, "All roads lead to Rome." While this, in reality, isn't true, maybe all roads SHOULD lead to Rome- for its beauty, its history, its cuisine, and its people.

Sean and I got to visit Rome for 6 days and what an adventure it was! It sounds very cliche, but Rome is like stepping back in time. Original walkways, cobblestone streets, cathedrals with adorning stained glass....just some of the highlights Rome has to offer to its visitors.

One of the first stops on our list to see in Rome was the Coliseum. And don't worry, it's not hard to miss! The Coliseum is located right in the heart of the city, not far from the Italian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum are all wonderful sites around the city to visit and take spectacular pictures. An easy way to get around Rome (as a tourist) is the Hop On and Off Bus that has stops at all the main attractions around the city. I always use the trusted Viator site (www.viator.com) to book all our tickets and excursions.

Of course the #1 attraction in Rome, if not one of the main attractions of the world, is the Vatican. Vatican city does lie on the outskirts of the city, so plan for your steps if you're going to walk. The Bus Tour does make a stop here if you're using transportation. Sean and I only visited the site and took pictures....we didn't get tickets for the Vatican museum or the Sistine Chapel. (With 2025 being a Jubilee year, and Pope Leo having been just appointed, we decided to stay away from the Vatican lines.)

Let's not forget one HUGE attraction of Rome that doesn't really have a name.....it's just THE FOOD! Oh my gosh could I have one more warm fresh pastry with a cappuccino at the corner cafe, please? Or maybe another slice of margherita pizza (Neapolitan style) with buffalo mozzarella and basil. Have you ever felt you could die for another bite of home-made Italian pesto? Italians know that simple, quality ingredients make the best tasting food. And they know exactly how to do it right.

Sean and I were lucky enough to spend some time outside of Rome too, which was AHMAZING! Just a 2 hour bus ride (through a Viator tour ticket too!) is the historical city of Pompeii. When touring Pompeii, I kept wondering to myself how crazy it must have been that day......in 79 AD. A bustling city of merchants and business men, going about their daily affairs. Wives and mothers were tending to the kitchens and the children. And in just an instant, Mt. Vesuvius erupts and covers the entire region in feet of ash - and kills everything in sight.

Visiting today, the unearthed Pompeii city shows its magnificent structures preserved in time. Paint and wallpaper still adhered to the inside walls. Tiled floors dictating the address to the house are very clearly seen. The unsophisticated, yet working, water system can be understood. Even casks of human remains have been made and are on display. And the excavation is not even complete yet.