We spent three very busy days in Rome. Upon arriving, we promptly went on a private walking tour to get our bearings and familiarize ourselves with the sights. The following day we toured the Vatican, and on our last day we toured the Colosseum, then did an e-bike tour of Appian Way and the Aqueducts. We saw some of the sights around town a couple times, so for simplicities sake, I’m keeping pictures from the same locations together. Rome was amazing – even cooler than I expected it to be. I loved being surrounded by so much history!

Spanish Steps

Campo Marzio

Trevi Fountain

Piazza di Monte Citorio

Colonna

Parthenon

Piazza Navona

Aqueduct in town

Borgo

Prati

I’m glad we toured the Vatican, but despite it’s opulence, I have to confess, it wowed me less than anything else. It was way too crowded and I felt like a sheep being herded through the entire time. It was clear the objective was to get as many tourists through each day as possible. The art was amazing, but the wealth was a little icky. I couldn’t help thinking how all that money could be spent in more positive ways. I also think it’s a shame that some pope insisted the naked people in Michael Angelo’s masterpiece be covered up centuries later. Also ridiculous that we still don’t have female priests or popes.

One of my favorite things was all the maps painted along this hall.

Piazza del Popolo

Terrazza del Pinico

Here we are at the Colosseum! Our tour got a little messed up by the travel and tour companies. They purchased a child ticket for Avery, who turned eighteen before our tour. Apparently the guy at security was having a bad day, because he wouldn’t let our group in until this was sorted out – and it was not as simple as paying $20. Our group got held up for a long time, then rushed through. The poor tour lady was so sweet to go over on our tour. She probably missed lunch that day to do it, but we still got an abbreviated version. It was okay with us, it was very hot out! Unfortunately, our tour did not include the underground portion. If we ever go back we’ll have to do that part. This was very interesting to see!

Roman Forum

Our last (and favorite) activity in Rome was a 6 hour, 26km e-bike tour along Appian Way. We rode through the busy streets, narrow trails, and even through some sheep! We stopped and toured some catacombs on the way, visited a number of parks, and saw much of the aqueducts. It was SO much fun and a great way to see more of the country!

At the Catacombs of San Sebastiano

These little green parrots were all over this field.

I thought the aqueducts were the most beautiful and interesting sight in Rome

Our tour guide was a sweet, outdoorsy 20-something. She knew the boys could only handle so much history talk, so she gave them permission to test the limits of the bikes at one of the parks while she talked to the grownups about the aqueducts.

Ciao, Rome!