A New Adventure

We're back! I'm excited to start up this blog again for our family Europe trip! I'll try to keep to a weekly post (Saturdays) as before.

A Quick Summary:

We started off our trip in Rome. There we spent a few days seeing a bunch if the sites, including a stop in the Vatican City. Then, we took a train north to Florence and spent a few days exploring there.

Some Highlights

Scale

I've been really impressed and shocked at the sheer scale and intricacy of the various things we've seen. The photos and descriptions can't really capture just how big and impressive things are. St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, as well as the Duomo in Florence were both covered in intricately designed sculptures and artwork and patterns.

Also, some of the older Roman ruins, like the Colosseum were huge! It was like going to a modern day soccer stadium, except it had been build almost 2000 years ago. It was really impressive how good their technology and buildings were even way back in the day.

After seeing all of this, I'm definitely going to think about the Roman empire a lot more.

Exploring Florence

After some jam packed days of seeing the sites in Rome, I was pretty tired and ready to slow down a little. Kira and I spent a day wandering around Florence with a very minimal plan, which was really nice! We got to spend some time down by the river, get some nice views of the city, and eat some gelato!

Sleeping in

I was so tired from jet lag, getting up early to do things, and from all the walking in the sun. Finally, on Thursday I had the chance to sleep in, and I slept for almost 14 hours straight! I think this is a new lifetime personal best for me. Afterwards I felt sooo much better and more excited to go see things and explore. Being well rested definitely makes a big difference! 

Food Review

Pasta place: 5/10

In Rome, we went out for dinner one night to this pasta place. We had a deep fried pizza appetizer, and I had fresh pasta with carbonara sauce. We also got these really good sandwiches for lunch the next day with cheese and deep fried eggplants. 

Unfortunately, although the way in for the food was a 10/10 experience, the way out was a 0/10 so it averaged out to a 5/10. I think I am not used to eating greasy foods, so the meal was pretty rough on my stomach the next day (and the rest of the family as well).

Rooftop bar: 10/10

In Florence, mom and dad took us to a really fancy rooftop bar where we could see the sunset. We had these fun drinks, an amazing caprese salad, and got to see a beautiful sunset. This definitely felt more like the Italian food I was hoping to get to experience.

Reflections

On crowds

Some of the places we've been to here have been pretty jam packed with crowds and other people. It still is really cool seeing some of the big famous sights, but I've really enjoyed the times we've just been exploring and finding things that are off the beaten path a bit more. 

Famous fountain 

Crowds by the fountain

View from St. Peter's Basilica

Crowds at the top to get the photo

Duomo crowds

Other photos

Empty seat beside me on the flight to Rome!

Wes Anderson?

Fun sign

Stairs up to the dome in St. Peter's Basilica 

Rome streets in the rain

Florence waterfront