Rome, Italy (Part 1)

We were VERY blessed in regards to weather during our trip - especially with it being such a likely-to-rain time of year. It really seemed like everywhere had rain except while we were there. Here we are leaving Vicenza, and about to ride a train to Rome.

By the time we got to Rome and settled into our hotel, it was about mid-afternoon. That day was a bit drizzly, so we took our chances and decided to hold off on the big stuff for the other days. The first day we walked around our neighborhood, got our Roma passes, saw the National Museum, and ate dinner. We had fun walking around the museum pretty much by ourselves... After dinner we stopped by the Trevi Fountain on the way back to the hotel.

I loved these little carvings. Do you recognize the stories?

The next morning, we headed to the Colosseum - on the top of our list of things to see! It was everything that I imagined it would be. I really wanted to watch "Gladiator" afterward to imagine a little better what it used to look like.

After the Colosseum, we strolled through Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, and meandered over to Campo de Fiori to start our "heart of Rome" walk. It went from Campo de Fiori, through Piazza Navona (my favorite place in Rome!), past the Pantheon, and ended up at the Trevi Fountain again.

When you are a couple traveling alone, you end up taking a lot of interesting pictures of yourselves individually, the same self-shot over and over again with barely anything in the background, or the awkward you-asked-a-stranger-to-take-it-and-they-can't-find-the-button pictures. We made sure to get a good variety of all three kinds so that we had some options!

This was a little ways up the street our hotel was on. We walked to the Spanish Steps right as the sun was setting. It was a pretty happenin' place.

Florence, Italy

We took a day trip by train to Florence. Florence was beautiful, and definitely a must-see. We saw the statue of David, explored the leather markets, and climbed up to the top of the tower to get a good view of the city. 

This main building was just exquisite. Look at how big those doors are!

They don't let you take pictures of the real David statue in the museum, but there is a smaller model outside so here is a picture of us with David.

This is the Ponte Veccio bridge. We didn't walk across it, just saw it.

The ceiling inside of the baptistry next to the dome.

Verona (and Marostica), Italy

Next stop, Verona! I loved Verona. It was exactly what I pictured Italy being like, and it was nice because it wasn't as touristy and crowded. They have a mini Colosseum, street performers, shopping, a farmer's market, and of course gelato! We had at least one gelato and cappuccino every day. SO good. 

In Verona you can see the house that Shakespeare supposedly based Juliett's (from Romeo and Juliet) balcony off of. People hang locks, tack gum, and write on the walls - I guess for luck or love or something!

After Verona, we headed to Marostica to visit a castle. They have a giant chessboard, and every two years they do a reenactment of a historical event where two suitors played a game to win the princess (they use real horses and everything!). It was really neat to see.