Rome and Venice

Italy has come and gone way to fast for us. When we set out for Rome, we had a few sites in mind to be sure not to miss. We arrived in the late afternoon so we did as we do in most places which is simply walk the area to check out the town. That night we took pictures outside the Vatican, and enjoyed our first authentic Italian meal which included seafood salads, homemade pasta and fish. The next day we headed over to the Vactican museum where we saw an enormous amount of art from Egypt and Italy, before finishing at the Sistine Chapel, which is just mind blowing. Then we walked way out of the way (not knowing) to the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, again both just as impressive as the others. Our next day we set out to climb up to the top of the Vatican, and as you climb to the top you actually have to bend over as the walls bend since the top is an oval shape. The entire climb was long and the last hike was 320 steps to the top where pops just about passed out. The 'big salami' was next..... the Colosseum. (Side note:On the bus ride to the place a dude was sitting alone about 50yrs old, when he then stood up on his seat as we approached a younger couple kissing on side of the street. As we passed the couple this guy stuck his head out the window and spit on them yelling in Italian. Then the next few minutes he was still spitting towards the floor in my direction, he didn't spit on me so no harm no foul just crazy.) So the Colosseum lived up to the hype where the gladiators fought lions, tigers, bears, panthers, and more with just a shield and sword. They also put prisoners to fight for their freedom in there, if they survived it was up to the crowd (thumbs up or thumbs down) if they get that freedom. Finally for some prisoners they would be put in with the animals naked and unarmed to pay for their crimes....death! We finished up this day with an incredible meal at a place that was recommended the day before by our waiter at lunch which again included pasta/raviolis and fish meals. We also polished off 2 bottles of wine at dinner, and then another 2 glasses at a bar by our hotel. We headed out the next day for our trip to Venice.

Venice is probably one of the most beautiful places we have been too. We automatically wanted to stay longer but our plans were already set. To make things even better our hotel overlooked the seaside. It was just an amazing view at a great location. In Venice we ate the traditional venetian cuisine and enjoyed a romantic Gondola ride. There were gondola's everywhere and it was surreal to actually be in the very place where Gondolas are authentic. The streets where we toured on the ride were also quite a site to see. The rest of the day was spent getting some souvenirs and riding the water boats around the area. We only stood a full day there and it is somewhere we will definitely go back to see one day. After that we headed to Paris. (update to come soon on Paris and Amsterdam).