roma

During our stay with Marco's family in Gaeta, Marco and I took the train to Rome for the day along with his brother Roberto, our sister-in-law Mary, and nephew Luke.  Luke and I were the only Rome newbies, but the other three were so sweet as to indulge us in all things touristy Rome. 

The train ride was only an hour, but Luke was kind enough to bring along his collection of temporary tattoos and coloring books to pass the time.

We visited the significant tourist stops: Capitoline Hill and Roman Forums,  Fontana di Trevi, The Spanish Steps, Pantheon, The Colosseum, and The Vatican. (Photos below of all the sites, with me doing my best to cut out the masses of our tourist friends.)

We indulged in espresso and caffè freddo at the fancy and famous Antico Caffè Greco per recommendation from Francesca, a family friend who lives in Rome.  Marco, Roberto, and Mary laughed that their 6 euro espresso served by tuxedoed waiters wasn't worth it.  I still think about that caffè freddo  (similar to cold brew coffee) and I bet if you asked one and half year old Luke about that $$$ hamburger, he would tell about the 5 star review he wrote on trip advisor ;)

We visited some choice gelato locals throughout the day and took a good amount of time searching for the highly recommended Giolitti while passing many so-so gelato shops and feeling a wee bit sorry for those being fooled by the lesser.

We walked through a park with vista views of the city while taking refuge from the hot sun and Luke rode a carrousel, choosing to sit in the fire engine. 

Day 2 of Rome was just Marco and I.  We visited The Colosseum and The Vatican and then walked the city for hours getting lost in quiet neighborhoods.  We stumbled upon a great market where we stocked up on 4 kilos of Parmigiano-Reggiano to take home with us. 

We had a late lunch at Roscioli.  Marco tried an Italian microbrew and carbonara.  I had champagne and the cacio e pepe (of my dreams). 

Rome is a sensory overload / gastronomic / bustling city.  And man do they know how to construct a piazza.  I've never experienced so many grand piazzas in one city. 

I wasn't expecting to visit Rome on our long weekend trip to Gaeta - I knew Marco and I would get there at some point - but I'm so glad we got to experience it with Roberto, Mary, and Luke.

While we were visiting the states last week my brother Adrian put on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, Rome episode.  Bourdain's introduction of the city sums it up so perfectly, "It's beautiful, as beautiful as everybody says it is.  To me it's not in the big things they tell you about: the sculptures, the imposing squares and buildings, the monuments - though they are amazing - it's the little things. The tiny details, the improbable awesomeness of every.little.damn.thing."