Ciao!

The Vatican City

This little globe is located outside the famous Romantic poet, John Keats' home by the famous Spanish Steps. He left for Rome hoping to recover from his bouts of Tuberculosis but sadly died here in Rome aged just 25.

The view from the Spanish Steps which is overran by tourists day and night.

The Arch of Constantine adjacent to the Colosseum, Palatino and Roman Forum

Trevi Fountain

Buongiorno from Roma! We've been on the road for 2 weeks now. I was diligent enough to schedule posts for most of last week but hadn't anticipated how difficult it was going to be just trying to get good internet access. Thank you for the thoughtful comments you've left. I can't wait to catch up on my blog reading. Despite the beautiful scenic views, I was seriously getting internet AND blog withdrawal by week 2.

Rome is even more beautiful and chaotic as I'd imagined. Having been here once before, literally whizzing through the entire city in a few hours, I decided to take it real easy this time. Previously, we'd hurried into St Peter's Basilica and darting past the incredible Michelangelo and Raphael paintings in the Sistine Chapel in an hour. Just so you know. You can definitely explore the entire Vatican in 60 minutes. The Colosseum and Palatino were blurry objects as our taxi driver navigated the streets as if he was racing for the Grand Prix. I remembered him yelling "il Colosseo! il Colosseo! from the front, momentarily forgotten to hold on to the steering wheel.

Here's what I've learned about Italy so far:
1. If you have a weak heart, do not attempt to get into a taxi nor drive. BUT if you think  roller coaster rides are your thing, go for it.

2. The locals will spoil your kids rotten wherever you go. Your little bambina or bambino will be smothered with hugs, kisses and candies.

3. If you want to get exceptional service, bring along a kid. Preferably one that smiles and says Ciao a lot. If you don't have one, rent a bambina/bambino or borrow from a friend.

4. The Swiss guards at the Vatican are chosen based on their hot bods and good looks. Some of them look like hunky models. Er....I'm sure they're awesome bodyguards too.

5. Be sure to stamp your train ticket before getting on the train. Don't be surprised if most of the machines are broken. This offers you the perfect opportunity to exercise by sprinting down every platform to find a working ticket machine.

6. A gelato is part of your meal. There's a gelateria in every corner so it's utterly impossible trying not eating a gelato a day? Pick the fragola (strawberry) or melone (melon) and that's your 1 of 5 a day. Okay, so I'm rationalizing but hey, when in Rome......