Italy: Rome

August 1 - August 24

When we mapped out the trip we decided to include four extended stays in one city to give ourselves a break from the constant traveling and Rome was our first break. Over the three and a half weeks we spent in Rome we definitely accomplished our goal of resting. Most of our free time over the past two years has been spent planning our wedding, honeymoon or this trip, so it was quite delightful for us to literally have nothing to do.

We've visited Rome three times before so we didn't feel pressured to check any sights off of our list and mostly spent our days visiting internet cafes, trying out new flavors of gelato and people watching on the streets. It was even more restful because August is also the month when most Italians go on vacation, so aside from the tourists, the city is in some ways sleepier than when we've visited in the past. Many stores and restaurants close for at least the two weeks and the ones that are open are not very crowded. The tourist attractions are of course packed, but we were staying outside of the central area and were glad to have some peace and quiet.

Our hood

From Rome, Italy

Melissa and gelato from Giolitti's

From Rome, Italy

We did do one special thing--celebrate our one year anniversary.  It was August 21st of last year that Brian and I exchanged vows on a chilly San Francisco afternoon in front of our closest family and friends.  In some ways it's fitting that we spent our first anniversary in Rome.  Rome was the first big trip we took together 10 years ago.  It's also one of the places Brian took me on his clandestine engagement trip.

We spent our anniversary getting brunch (which is incredibly hard to find in Rome), eating Grom gelato (twice!), having a terrific Italian dinner at a romantic outdoor taverna, and strolling from the Pantheon, to the Trevi Fountain, and over to the Spanish Steps after dark.

Old Bear, our anniversary restaurant

From Rome, Italy

Old Bear, our anniversary restaurant

From Rome, Italy

A woman eagerly awaiting her Grom gelato

From Rome, Italy

I don't really have much else to write about other than to say that we thoroughly enjoyed our first break, so I'll let Brian's pictures do most of the talking.  Next stop Istanbul, Turkey!

Brian and Melissa in front of the Colosseum

From Rome, Italy

The top of the Colosseum

From Rome, Italy

The Spanish Steps

From Rome, Italy

Smoked Buffalo Mozzarella

From Rome, Italy

The top of the Pantheon at night

From Rome, Italy

St. Peter's and the Tiber at night

From Rome, Italy

Piazza del Popolo

From Rome, Italy

Courtyard in the Vatican Museum

From Rome, Italy

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

From Rome, Italy

God creating Man in the Sistine Chapel

From Rome, Italy

Roman Forum

From Rome, Italy

More pictures from Rome.