Roma

I never quite understood the phrase "All roads lead to Rome". But now just having spent almost a week here I think I know what they mean...or ahhha meant. Rome is the center of things or at least during the days of the Roman Empire. What I loved about Rome was it's diversity in means of things to do. On our first day we the beautiful Pantheon, Piazza Navona and its 3 fountains, discovered a beautiful Church ornated in gold (we stumbled upon many random churches while in Europe) ate pasta and gelato, then visited the Trevi Fountain. Not only are you able to get a real life history lesson but at the same time enjoy beautiful sites and great food. During our stay in Italy I personally found the Italians to be very friendly and helpful, and often engaging in their conversations. But the best highlights was getting a tour of Vatican City. The information our guide Michelle was giving us was amazing and overloading at the same time...but I loved every minute of it. Before we entered the amazing Sistine Chapel she told us the meaning of Michelangelo's great work(I know have a deeper respect for this artist....I mean Sculptor, more than I did before). But by far the best moment was climbing to the top of Castel St. Angelo( old fortress now museum) and seeing the most beautiful views of Rome or probably of my life was the perfect ending to this Amazing Trip.

The Pantheon

One of the many stolen obelisks

View from our hotel

Bella Tiber River

Sooo Delicious!

All water fountains are safe to drink from

Piazza Navona

This, definitely was the best Gelato we had in our life..from Venchi

Typical Italian breakfast

Castel St. Angelo

Many wedding photoshoots in front of Castel St. Angelo along The Tiber River

Firenze

Our first two days in Firenze (Florence) was complete madness. I advise anyone planning a future trip here to Never go during the summer. Besides the temperature being in the 100's some of the brick buildings are so close together that the streets retain heat all day long. Our hotel was steps away from the magnificent Duomo but I really couldn't breathe because their wasn't much ventilation. Although it sounds like I am complaining I am just saying this as a warning and offering nothing but the truth for those interested in going here. Besides this Florence is beautiful and the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and I would like to add that the architectural styles here are amazing as well. The world renown Uffizi gallery houses some of the best paintings (The birth of Venus by Botticelli was so fascinating to see in person). There is so much history here, you won't go anywhere in Florence without hearing the family name "Medici" being said by random tour guides, or fail to see any of their owned land or property. My personal highlight for visiting Florence was taking an evening passeggiata (evening stroll) along the Ponte Vecchio with a scoop of gelati in hand. Watching the sun set over the Arno river and discovering a classical group playing popular masterpieces in the Palazzo Vecchio was a perfect way to end our last night in Florence. 

Venezia

Ahhh Venezia, this haven type jewel on a lagoon is too beautiful. Yes it was heavily touristed,  humid, and smelled a bit but wouldn't you expect this during the summer? Besides I barely payed attention to all of this because the moment I stepped out of St. Lucia train station I was bewitched by Venice's grand canal. Something happened those two long days my mother and I stayed here. Our appetites got bigger and we ate and discovered the best gelati, we got lost so threw our itinerary out the window, this was the best idea because we ended up at the tip of the lagoon with perfect weather and the moon right over our shoulders.

(Take note of the # of pictured gelatos until Rome....it's a bit shocking we consumed that much, haha!)