Italy!

Be prepared for picture overload from Italy!

Day 1: We hopped off the plane, ate pizza, and began walking around Rome.  We stopped at the Trevi Fountain and ate gelato.  This became a daily occurrence for us - we literally sat at the Trevi Fountain for 2 hours every day, ate gelato (from San Crispino - the best gelato ever in their signature flavor also called San Crispino), and people watched.  You'll notice from the pictures that there are tourists everywhere in Rome.  Seriously, everywhere.  So the people watching is fantastic.

We also walked to the Spanish Steps this day.  Really beautiful. I couldn't help but think of Roman Holiday every time we passed the Spanish Steps - one of my favorite movies!

Day 2:  We headed out bright and early to tour the Colosseum, which was extremely impressive!!

And then we headed to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Outside the Basilica - 

 Columns that lead to St. Peter's -

 The Pope's Residence - when the shutters are open he is in, when they are closed (like they are in the picture) he is out.

 Scottish Guards -

 Michelangelo's Pieta inside the Basilica -

 Inside the Basilica -

Day 3 - We headed to Florence for the day!  It was gorgeous and I highly recommend going if you are in Italy.  We went to the Academie to see Michelangelo's 'David' - no pictures were allowed, but it was super impressive. Pictures just don't do it justice.

Seeing the city from Michelangleo's Piazza -

 Grand Duomo from Michelangelo's Piazza -

 Grand Duomo -

 Grand Duomo -

 Florence -

Day 4 - Amy & I dubbed this day "leisure day" which basically equated to more hours sitting by the Trevi Fountain eating gelato.  But, we managed to make it to the catacombs this day (no pictures) which was really neat to see.  And we also walked through Villa Borghese which is the Rome equivalent of Central Park.  It was Sunday and the weather was gorgeous so there were a ton of families out and about.   That night we ate the best food of the trip - pasta from Le Grotte (near the Spanish Steps).

Aims and I at the Trevi Fountain - 

Day 5 - We got up early to head over to Vatican City.  The Vatican Museum opened at 9 a.m. and we heard the crowds would be bad.  We arrived about 8:40 and stood in line for an hour and a half just to get through the security line to enter the Museum. Crazy, but well worth it to see the Sistine Chapel!

Ceiling inside the museum - 

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel - by far the coolest thing I have ever seen. We sat here for a couple of hours just staring.  These pictures can't even begin to do it justice.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip!  I've always wanted to go to Italy, but actually being in Rome and seeing so many historical things right in front of your eyes is completely amazing. The food was delicious - but I've had enough pizza and pasta to last me for a while. : )