Italy: Day 4

Our final morning in Rome was spent at the Vatican & St. Peter's Basilica. And really, nothing you've read about or photos you've seen before can really prepare you for it.




This altar, called the Altar of the Confessio used 6,200 k. of metal. Seriously?!?






The Pieta, carved by Michelangelo at 21. Want to know what I was doing at 21? Oh, nevermind....



We decided to walk back to our hotel and hit the other major sites along the way. We stopped for some wine and pizzas at a place called "Friends Cafe" (which, after some Goggling right now, I learned was named for the actual American Sitcom...) They had this amazing gorgonzola, arugula, and grilled raddicho pizza that was to DIE for.

Recharged, we ventured on to the Pantheon, which is the oldest standing domed structure in Rome.



Seems very appropriate that from where I was sitting I was starring directly into a McDonald's, no? There were also like a gazillion teenagers sitting around that fountain, which limited out time there. So we headed inside.




This oculus, or opening at the top, admits the only light into the structure. Lucky for us it wasn't raining that day.

We continued on to the Trevi Fountain, and threw our coins in to ensure our return to Rome (yes please!)


(Had to steal this one from Google since I apparently didn't upload any of ours)

We did some shopping for the family and headed back to the hotel for a siesta, then showered and headed out for the night. First stop? Hard Rock Rome! It was nice to see something somewhat familiar, but we stayed true to our location and ordered Campari's and Peroni's.

We then walked down Via Vittorio Veneto and found a cute little outdoor place outside the Hotel Imperiale and settled in. We had some more Prosecco, and some cured meats to start. I had Pasta Arrabiata and I can't remember what Matt had, but it's a safe bet it was Veal. We finished with Tiramisu (for the 4th night in a row!) and leisured over our bottle of wine until almost 11pm. We fell asleep that night full and happy and a little sad to be leaving Rome!



***edited to add***
While in Rome, Matt and I were mistaken for locals NO LESS than four times. Two people even asked us for directions in Italian (my 1/4 heritage must have been screaming through ;) )