ITALY

Italy

Arriving in Rome we took the bus, train and then walked to find our hostel. Out of all the places we have stayed this was by far the sketchiest!!! So we set out on our sightseeing trying to se as much as possible in the short time we were there! Since it was late in the afternoon we just decided to wander. Gelato was at the top of or list to get, of course! As we walked along we encountered the Colosseum lit up at night!!!







It is gorgeous!! We had pizza for dinner right next to the Colosseum ! Trying to find our way back to our hostel was a bit tricky but we eventually found it! The next day we joined a girl from Australia, who was also in our room at the hostel, to go to the Vatican to see the Pope give his speech as he does each Wednesday at 10:30 am. This was an amazing opportunity!





We got to see the Pope give a speech live in front of us! He even spoke in English to address the English speaking to wish us a Merry Christmas!! The Vatican is amazing!!! I cannot try to even describe it!! We also went to the Sistine Chapel which words can also not describe! Truly an amazing opportunity! Next we toured the Colosseum and the ruins next to it! The whole day was mind blowing! Our feet killed!!!! I wore boots which was dumb!








Then we were off on the train to Florence!

Florence was very welcoming compared to Rome, it has a much cleaner, safer feeling, and pretty city. The hostel in Florence was great! Free internet, very clean, free breakfast and HOT showers!!! We wandered the city and took in the beautiful landscape. Dinner was of course pizza..what else! We have eaten pizza each night plus lunch sometimes each day we have been in Italy!! Which is not normal for us but the pizza here is better than any we have had in the US!






The next day we caught a train to Venice! Once we arrived in Venice we immediately fell in love with the unique city. The water bus took us to the stop closest to our hotel and we weaved the narrow streets to find it. We spent the rest of the evening wandering around the beautifuly Christmas lit city. We even encounterd a free Christmas Carol concert in a quaint city square! It was absolutely perfect...in Venice with the love of my life, listening to lovely Christmas Carols, under the twinkling Christmas lights...top on my list of favorite memories! After the carols ended we got free hourdeurves and wine! We walked around admiring the markets and shops, we even bought some amazing cheese after tasting each type! After we worked enough of an appetite we got dinner at an adorable italian restaurant...course pizza again and it was fabulous!!!







We had one full day to see all venice had to offer. After taking advantage of the free breakfast, which we would turn into lunch as well, we headed off walking a little after 9 am. We walked around the entire island. Hitting all the major tourist spots, but also dodging into every authentic alley possible to try to get a taste of the local life. It was in those back alleys where the true character of venice hid. Leaning walls, brick covered in stucco while exposing itself were the stucco had fallen, clothes hanging across the streets to dry, old couple out for a stroll...It was the most unique experience of all our travels. We would walk without ceasing from 9 until five in evening; exploring all that venice had to offer. After a quick nap at the hotel, we were off for our evening walk and a dinner in Margarita square. As we awoke the next morning we quickly pack both our bags and our stomachs with the free breakfast. We were then off to explore one last corner of the island. After a bit of shopping,we sat along the main river to soak in a truly magnificent city. At 4 p.m., we caught an early bus to the airport(our hotel receptionist had given us a schedule. Upon arrival we learned that we were directed to the wrong airport!!! Monica panicked... I wanted to catch the bus because we had an hour to spare. However, there were no direct lines to the other airport. The bus to the metro would take an two hours alone. We were forced to pay $100 for a taxi. The only good news was that the taxi was a brand new mercedes benz. It turned out it was 5 euro cheaper than the beat up taxis. The extra expenses definitely put a damper on the amazing day....but all in all venice will hold a very special place in our memory as a highlight to an amazing journey.