Italy: Day 3

Day three in Rome started with another hearty breakfast at the hotel, then a walk through the Borghese Gardens.  LAST TIME we were in Rome, we hiked for miles and miles and miles to get to the gardens, then realized that one edge of the perimeter is close to the Spanish steps, which were just down the street from our hotel.

It was MUCH easier to get to it this time, and I did NOT end up with the huge, horrible, painful blisters I got last time (in the new shoes that I, for some stupid reason, decided to wear on my first day there!!

At the top of the Spanish Steps (which were still closed), I bought a few “original” watercolor paintings to commemorate the trip (and which we saw ALL OVER ROME).  Even if they aren’t “one of a kind”, they are still beautiful, and will be a nice remembrance of the trip.

After a short walk through part of the gardens, we walked to Vatican City to tour the museums and see the Sistine Chapel.  Rick Steves is an awesome, awesome travel book writer.  We followed his directions to buy tickets online, and saved HOURS of time avoiding the “buy tickets here” lines outside, which, seriously, wrapped around the outer wall of the city. 

The only problem was that I, somehow, purchased the “Children’s tickets”.  Not a big deal, because, even though we had to get in about three additional lines to pay the difference, we still got to the museum with just a short wait.

The Vatican Museums are unbelievable…so many treasures, and so many people!!!  Although we THINK it was less crowded than our last visit, there were people EVERYWHERE, it really just felt like we were cattle being herded through the halls!

We tried to listen to part of Rick Steves Podcast tour, but ended up moving through the museums more quickly than the narration…usually to get ahead of a large tour group that was on our heels.

After wandering through gallery after gallery after gallery, we ended up in the Sistine Chapel, which truly is, GORGEOUS!  After admiring the ceiling for awhile, we tacked on to the end of a tour group to take the “tour group only” exit, cutting about 45 minutes off the route to get from the chapel, back through the museum, to St. Peter’s Basilica (also a tip from Rick!).

St. Peter’s is BEAUTIFUL, and we enjoyed the exquisite art, and the immenseness of the basilica. We weren’t able to get close to the altar this time because the area was blocked off, which was too bad.  From a distance it’s beautiful, but “up close” it’s breathtaking!

After the basilica, we walked around the piazza in front, bought a soda, and sat for a few minutes before walking back to the hotel (which, luckily, wasn’t far). 

We had a brief siesta, then went out looking for a restaurant for dinner.  After several frustrating attempts to find something that was open, ended up at a cafe near Trevi Fountain (can't remember the name!).  I had a delightful pizza, and some nice pinot grigio!  

It felt really good to sit…especially since we tried about six different restaurants before walking WAY FARTHER than anticipated to finally settle on this one.  I was one CRABBY tourist by then! 

After dinner we walked to our favorite gelato place for one last magnificent treat, then headed back to the hotel to pack and brace for the return journey to Minnesota. 

 BEFORE final gelato in Rome!

AFTER final gelato in Rome!

Although it was really hot, and really crowded, it was great to be back in Rome, and although we LOVED the tour we were on three years ago, it was nice to see things at our own pace, and explore things we might have missed!

Here’s hoping YOU were able to revisit a beloved place recently too!!!