two week in italy: Rome

A few of my family members and I are heading off on a European vacation tomorrow, and Rome is one of the cities we'll be visiting.  In preparation for our trip, I've been looking back on my past trips to Rome and compiling a list of my favorite tourist destinations.  

During my first trip to Rome, I threw pennies in Trevi Fountain and was awestruck walking through the Vatican, but I didn't participate in those activities this time around.  Instead, we toured old favorites like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and the Roman Forum, but also immersed ourselves in old cathedrals and took in the skyline views from the top of Aventine Hill.  

Palatine Hill and The Roman Forum

The Colosseum

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Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps)

San Giovanni in Laterano 

The official cathedral of Rome and believed to be the first Catholic Church of Rome.  

Aventine Hill

In and around the Pantheon and Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyrs

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One of the best parts of this trip to Rome, was that we stayed in an air bnb right in the city center.  Our apartment had a massive rooftop patio, spacious living area, and was located right next to a little grocery overflowing with fresh produce and local ingredients.  One of the days during our stay, the boys went off to the Vatican and I decided to head to the market, whip up a delicious lunch, and hang on the balcony with a book and a glass of wine all afternoon.  As much as I love the history of the city, it felt really good to live like a local for just one afternoon.  

Besides the sites, we spent many afternoons sitting in piazzas sipping aperol spritz, eating at hole in the wall restaurants with the best pasta I've ever had in my life, and cooling off with gelato, sometimes twice a day.  

While I'm extremely excited to FINALLY be heading back to Italy, I cannot believe that I've completed my recap of the two weeks I spent in Italy in the summer of 2014.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel all around the country, with a couple of friends, and I will forever cherish this trip as one of the best!  

Two Weeks in Italy:  Milan, Bologna, Florence, Pisa, Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast, and finally Rome.