Today is ROMA! The biggest and most populated (at least with tourist) city in Italy. It also has the most history which means a lot to see and not a lot of time to see it. We start off the day at the Vatican. Victor our driver warns us on our journey over that the smallest country in the world probably has the most daily visitors. The problem being that it could take all day of waiting in line to get in which was a problem for us since we only had one day here in this great city. We decide to go anyways just to check it out and Victor was right, the line to get in was huge and probably would have taken hours to get through. Lucky for us, we had Victor who swore to us that he actually knew the previous Pope and had contacts on the inside that could get us on, without having to wait in line. Not believing this charming old Italian men, we thought he was full of it but as soon as we had parked he told us to wait by the exit while he talked to his contact. Sure enough, two minutes later the exit door had opened and we were in! We promised never to doubt Victors abilities every again. Our trip into Vatican City was pretty incredible but that did not compare to the brilliance that waited us inside. It was amazing. Room after room of breathtaking paintings and sculptures. Each room dedicated to centuries of popes, it is no wonder the line is so long to get in. But obviously the main attraction in the Vatican is the Sistine Chapel which is at the end of a long walk filled with so much culture and history. After much anticipation, we finally made it to the Sistine Chapel and it was amazing and beautiful. You are not allowed to take pictures inside the chapel but Emily snagged one (see below).
It was amazing but the day had only just begun, after the Vatican we headed to lunch at a delicious outdoor patio restaurant run by three old Italian brothers. After lunch it off to the Coliseum, where the gang got to fell like real gladiators taking in this structure. Jamie and Amy did not like the heat too much and decided to splurge on an orange sunbrella for Jamie and a black "silk" fan for Amy. The Coliseum was spectacular but then we were off again, this time to the Trevi Fountain. This fountain is famous because of its magical powers, when someone throws in a coin it means that they will come back to Rome in the future. Jamie, Amy and Emily have already been planning on their next visit due to the fact that they each through coins into the fountain. After the Trevi Fountain, the group went to the beautiful Saint Peters Basilica. The famous square where the Pope greets his people is huge and gorgeous. To enter the actual Basilica, you have to go through security which was not a very long line but in the hot sun it feels like it. After we got through security, the Lytle gang starts to walk up the stairs to get into the Basilica when Jamie and Emily were stopped by a security guard who would not let them through because their shorts were too short. So Jamie and Emily had to wait outside while the rest of the group got to enjoy the Basilica, they took plenty of pictures of the beautiful building in all its glory. The Basilica was the last stop on our Roma journey and then it was back to the ship. We ended the night with dinner at Northern Lights and a magic show in the Showtime Theater.
Just another day in Italy, tomorrow Naples!
The gang outside of the Coliseum.
Jamie, Amy, and Emily outside of the Vatican.
Inside the Vatican.
Jamie and her orange sunbrella.
Sailing Away,
Jamie, Amy, Emily, Aunt Sue and Uncle Chris
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