When In Rome

Europe Trip Part II 

If you missed Europe Trip Part I, you can read that here.

After spending a week in London and Paris, Rome was our next stop. When we arrived in Rome, Brad was more anxious to find out if our hotel had AC than he was to see any of the sights. As you can probably tell from the picture below, our hotel did in fact have AC. This was a step up from London and Paris!

ROME

Roman Holidays 

Our sketchy hotel elevator. I was waiting for this thing to plummet to the ground (while we were in it) any second. 

After getting settled in, we left to explore Rome. About two minutes after venturing out, it started raining so we decided to stop for food. In reality, we were just trying to escape from the gypsies chasing us down trying to sell us umbrella's, not the rain. 

After enjoying some pizza and lasagna, we made our way over to Trevi Fountain. 

Trevi Fountain

The fountain was a pretty cool sight to see. After spending some time there, we made our way over to The Pantheon. The gaping hole in the ceiling is an interesting architectural choice that Brad and I are hoping to try out when we build our first home. Just kidding.

The Pantheon

Hanging out in The Pantheon

By that point, we were ready for some gelato! We ended up enjoying it right on the Spanish Steps. 

Spanish Steps

To end our first night, we made our way over to a park called Villa Borghese and checked out Piazza del Popolo.

Villa Borghese

Piazza del Popolo

The next morning, we thought it would be fun to rent bikes and ride them around the city and along the Tiber River. It took a little ways to get from the bike shop to the river, so after I made us walk our bikes for the first 10 minutes because I was nervous to ride on the actual streets, Brad talked me in to it and I faced my fears. Heck, if I can jump out of a plane, I can ride a bike in Rome. (But just imagine Vespas weaving in and out of nowhere and cars and buses speeding past you)

Tiber River

Once we got to the river, I was at ease.

Until we realized this was indeed the wrong side of the river, the side where bums lived in tents. 

I was a little scared for our lives. 

After carrying our bikes back up the steps and riding across a bridge to the other side of the river, we safely made it to a bike path. You can probably tell from my face that I felt a bit safer here. 

Ahh, a bike path. 

It's hard to see, but that entire wall is lined with tents and bums. This was taken once we were on the "safe" side of the river. 

At the end of our river ride. We survived!

On our ride back to the bike shop, we ran into three sister missionaries and stopped and talked with them for a while. It was nice to talk to some Americans again!

On our way back to the bike shop. There are ruins everywhere in Rome! 

Enjoying a nice cold Coke after our bike ride

Yes, the water was clean to drink. These fountains around the city were a life saver! 

Free Tour

After finding some lunch, we checked out a free walking tour and got to learn more about The Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the different statues and squares around town. 

Enjoying our free walking tour

That's actually not a real dome, it's just painted to look like one. Sort of cool, huh?

Another stop at The Pantheon on our tour. While we were inside, it started storming and the thunder practically shook The Pantheon. It was so loud! 

Vespas. Everywhere. 

The next morning was our Colosseum and Roman Forum tour. 

The Colosseum

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

I took Latin in high school so I really enjoyed walking around and seeing all of the ruins. Turns out, Brad prefers buildings that have doors and windows. 

Emanuelle Vittorio Monument

Tiniest car I have ever seen.

Tiber River

Piazza Navona

We had to go to this square because it was in the movie Angels and Demons

Dinner next to the Pantheon!

Vatican Day! 

The next day was our Vatican Tour and both Brad and I were really excited for it. 

View of St. Peter's Basilica 

Popemobiles!

View of upper court

Our tour guide pointed out that the guy on the left looks like Sylvester Stallone.

We had to agree. 

Papal Stair

We were also able to go inside of the Sistine Chapel which was pretty incredible. 

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Basilica

Swiss Guards

St. Peter's Square! 

The tour of The Vatican was pretty awesome. One of the first things Brad and I did when we returned home to Utah was watch Angels and Demons. It was a lot cooler having just been there. 

The next day, we left for Prague! We were a little skeptical because our airline was called "Wizz Air," but we ended up making it there just fine! 

PRAGUE

The first of many stops to Billa during our stay in Prague. 

Our hotel in Prague, Hotel Klarov

View from our hotel window! That's the Prague Castle in the top right.

Brad in his glory drinking Kofola and eating a Rozok sandwich

After we finished eating our rozok sandwiches for lunch, we made our way up to the Prague Castle.

Pretty view of Prague

Prague Castle

After the castle, we stumbled upon this gem. 

This is one of many crazy pieces of art displayed throughout the city by David Cerny. 

Charles Bridge

Brad enjoying Svickova for dinner

The next day was Sunday and we were able to go to church at Brad's old mission home. Luckily for me, the first two speakers were American so I didn't even need to use the translator!

Church in Prague!

After church, we enjoyed a tour of Prague. 

Brad eating. Again. I think we bought about 10 of these pastries in the short time we were in Prague.

Another of David Cerny's works of art. Yikes

Wenceslas Square

Tyn Church, Old Town Square

Prague Clock

On our last night there, we walked on Charles Bridge and around town for one last time. 

Next summer, African Safari??