PIT: Rome

On our way to Sicily, we decided to make a short stop in Rome. We'd already been several times, but we managed to fit in some old and some new into our short 1.5 days there. We stayed at a quaint hotel on the river, across from the castle, with an Italian charmer named Salvo for an owner. But we didn't spend much time there-we had Rome to enjoy!

The first evening we spent exploring Trastevere, a vibrant neighborhood of Rome filled with cobble-stoned streets and bustling restaurants that manages to maintain its local charm. If I were to move to Rome, I think I'd like to live in this neighborhood.

Fitting right in with PDA in Trastevere

Outside the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, famous for its mosaics, and thought to be one of the oldest churches in Rome (which sure is saying something)

Part of a tomb inscription at Santa Maria in Trastevere

The incredible mosaic-ed alter of the church

Dinner!

Quintessential Vespa shot

We entered St. Peter's Basilica not one, not two, but three times

"Throw open the doors to Christ"
Pope John Paul II had just been beatified.

Chatting at the Arch of Constantine

Gladiator pose at the Colosseum

Dad trying to fathom the history of the ancient world

One of our Caravaggio stops, San Luigi dei Francesi, where we saw his cycle on the life of St. Matthew. On the left, the Calling of St. Matthew, and on the right the Inspiration of St. Matthew. Now shown in this photo is the Martyrdom of St. Matthew. It's an incredible thing to see such momentous paintings in their original location rather than in a museum.

Mom admiring the flowers at Campo dei Fiori

While dining near Piazza Navona on our last night, we ended up next to a rambunctious group of Italians that insisted on sharing their food and conversing with us. The guy in the white shirt was particularly raucous, and would drunkenly stand up and loudly orate incomprehensible nonsense for long lengths of time. His friends confessed that he's not a very good husband, and mom said, "I can tell!" It was great, if not bizarre, fun.

[I must add that Letizia just informed me that the guy on the right, dodging out of the photo, is apparently a famous Italian actor and writer, named Fabio Volo-who knew! I sat by him all night!]

One felt like apologizing to dad for all the commotion, so on his way out, he did a drive-by dance number in his Mercedes to "deep house" music, just for dad:

After dinner we strolled by all the top nighttime spots, including the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain.

Pantheon, above, and Trevi fountain, below

Next stop...Sicily!