Day 33 - Rome; Spanish Steps Via Condotti & Del Corso

We slept in again and didn't get out the door until late morning.  We headed out to Barbarini Square to find the Cappucin Monks church because there is another Catacomb there. (I know, it's a bit of an obsession with my lot) But of course, by the time we got there, they had closed for their afternoon siesta. (What a life) so we just wandered around for a bit.

Ben and I remembered seeing this little church last time. It's just up from the Trevi Fountain, so we popped in again and it took our breath away all over again, and the kids too. Surprisingly, it's often them that say, 'Can we have a look inside?" when we see a church.

This is us going up to San Pietro in Vincoli Church
(St Peter in Chains) 

So many skeletons are used in churches.

These are the ACTUAL chains that were used to secure Saint Peter as they transported him from Jerusalem to Rome to have him crucified. He pleaded to be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to be killed in the same manner as Christ. 

This grand sculpture was done by Michaelangelo

Always spectacular

After a repose back at the apartment, we headed out to do a spot of shopping down Del Corso and Via Condotti and to take in the Spanish Steps. Beautiful at night, ruined a bit by all the street vendors, but that's the way it is these days.

9pm and we're the first in to dinner at Gusto. A restaurant that came recommended to us by Cristina. It was pretty good to, Mi gusto.

Day 32 - Rome; Travestere, Piazza Novone, Pantheon & Piazza Vnenzia

As you know, we've been keeping up quite a pace, but it's really catching up with us now and we're struggling to get out the door before midday. So after really forcing ourselves, we headed out in the opposite direction to the Vatican City as today is the day that Pope John Paul II's Beautification Ceremony is being held and judging by the hoards of people that have been streaming into Rome, we're guessing it's going to be crowded on the streets. So we decided to go to Travestere. I've read that this place is meant to be really lovely and has made many a 'Top10 things to do in Rome" List. The only problem was is that I left all the information back at the apartment so we got there but missed the mark by a block or two. What we saw was nice, but its a shame we didn't get to see what everyone raves about. 

From Travestere we went to Piazza Novona and this is where we started getting swallowed up n the huge groups of pilgrims, all carrying flags and many singing songs. It was pretty full on.

This is us coming out of the Pantheon. Just look over our shoulders at the amount of people in this piazza. Over 1 million people attended the Beautification so now they were all back on the streets.

Here's us at the Bocca Della Verita. What a hoot.

Ben and I got our 10 cents worth telling the kids the story behind this 'Mouth of Truth' and what happens to people that lie.... 

We were pretty convincing

First time around, Ben put his hand up his sleeve and screamed. You should have heard the kids. Classic.

Olivia was acting it up but Nic was seriously packing his dacks. Look at his face!

This is Palazzo Veneto. We were here as they were performing the Changing of the Guards Ceremony.

They do nothing by halves. This monument is huge.

There's a glass elevator that takes you all the way up to the observation floor. Boy the panorama was beautiful.

St Peter's Basilica in the background.

When we came down, they were setting up for a concert as part of the Beautification Celebrations being held over the coming days. They orchestra were doing their sound checks and rehearsing, so we sat down for a couple of hours just enjoying ourselves. The kids loved it and couldn't help but get up and dance (and cartwheel)

Mary / Rosa, you did well! $50 in Robe certainly beats 129Euro in Rome!!!

Day 31 - Rome; the Colosseum, the Forum and Trevi fountain

We booked another 3 hour walking tour guided by one very well informed lady. On our way there we stopped to take some photos with Gladiators, you know, for the kids, because Ben and I would never enjoy something like this....

Look at Nic's tongue hanging out his mouth.   LOL.

 We got to wear headsets this time which is a great set up because you can always hear what she is talking about even if you can't get up close. She told some great stories, like this statue is of Emperor Nero. He was only a young man and came into power at the age of 16 after his mother killed her husband in order to have Nero take the throne and then be able to manipulate her young son and indirectly become the ruler herself. After a few years, Nero grew tired of being manipulated and arranged to have his mother drowned. It was an unsuccessful attempt so then he just had her killed in her bed at night while she slept on night.

Nic took this photo because it has his name on it....

The kids lapped up all the information that we heard about the Colosseum, especially when she told us about the battles. The gorier the better for my two.

That bit of flooring was put in to how you how the arena would have been back when it was being used and all the underground tunnels that existed.

King Constantine's Arc

Ben and the kids in total 'Time Team' mode. They were itching to launch their own archaeological dig.

There's something missing from this Grecian carving  . Thats right a goat !!

Always busy at Trevi, the kids where so overwhelmed to see it.

Zia & Daniel, that's your coin

Nic's barely made it into the water

You can actually see the little bronze coin in the air... good shot Ben!

And Bens.... if you can see him behind the baldy. That's why he's the official photographer.

The last time I was here, I had Olivia in my belly and now we're all here. Surreal.

We'll be serving up Pizza alla Romana very soon at Elder Parade