Rome!

This half-term break meant a much anticipated trip for our family...a Mediterranean cruise! The cruise departed from Civitavecchia Port so we decided to meet up with my parents in Rome for a few days of pre-cruise exploring! We stayed in a small apartment in Trastevere, a great neighborhood with  lots of nightlife and amazing restaurants. 

The road outside our apartment gave Grammy a heart attack...super narrow with traffic and no sidewalks!

We were able to walk everywhere from our apartment by crossing these cute bridges.

 We arrived in Rome on Thursday night and explored Trastevere and had a yummy dinner of gnocchi, lasagna, fettuchini and antipasta. I think Wayne is still dreaming about the fresh mozarella! Then we were up early on Friday and headed to the market at Campo_de'_Fiori for some fresh fruit, shopping and souvenirs!

The girls showing off their spending money

Some of the pretty things they sold at the market

After the market, the girls got some gelato

Is that the kids' size?!?

Eating while walking home

 On the walk home, we heard someone yelling our name....Grammy & Pop Pop were early! We gave them no time to recover from jet lag and dragged them right out to visit Saint Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museum. We had pre-booked tickets to the museum for night entry, which meant no waiting in line and fewer crowds! Definitely a good choice, but apparently the museum is only open on Friday nights during certain months of the year. Lucky us! We even got to sit and relax in the Sistine Chapel!

Happy to see Grammy & Pop Pop!

Posing outside St Peter's Basilica!

Outside St Peter's Basilica

Riley took lots of pictures on my iphone in the Basilica

Lyla coming up with a plan for the Vatican Museum

My favorite room in the Vatican Museum....amazing!

Riley has been learning about mosaics in school and was excited to see so many!

It was pouring when we left the Vatican Museum!

A soggy but smiling Lyla!

 The next day it was off on a long walk to see the Forum and Colosseum.

Taking in the sights on the way to the Forum

Lucky girls

Wayne goofing off

Playing among the ruins. The world is literally their playground! What a life!

Beautiful weather for the Colosseum

Family Portrait

 After a very long day of walking, we found a teeny tiny street with a cafe and stopped for a much deserved lunch of pizzas and pasta. Apparently all of the walking was making Pop Pop a little crazy.

After lunch it was time to head back to the apartment and rest up for dinner and a night out in Trastevere. The area was hopping and the girls enjoyed eating more gelato and checking out the street performers.

This fire dancer worried Riley

This lasagna gets the thumbs up!

 The next day is was time to head to the port and board the ship for the next phase of our adventure! While we were busy the entire three days in Rome, we only got to see a fraction of the things on our list! Guess that means another visit in necessary! Want to come?

Rome through Lyla's eyes: She spotted a potty seat, a changing table, a giant bathtub, animals and a train. ( :