Roman Holiday!

So this past weekend was our last big adventure, so early Friday morning we headed to Roma! Picture Audrey Hepburn standing on the Spanish Steps and Lizzie McGuire throwing her coin into the Trevi fountain and then picture me doing all of this while it was raining sideways. So the weather all weekend was less that ideal, but that didn't stop us from touring the historical center of city the second we stepped off the bus! Our first stop, the Spanish steps of course!

These are the widest steps in all of Europe and were built in the 1700s and lead to the Trinta dei Monti church! After seeing the Spanish steps we quickly headed to the Trevi Fountain! All the money thrown into the fountain goes to poor citizens in Rome, so here's one wish you can feel good about!

So about that wish? While I can't tell you what I wished because it won't come true, I can tell you hope to properly make a wish at the Trevi Fountain! To properly make a wish at the fountain you hold you coin in your right hand and throw it into the fountain over your left shoulder. Here's a little demo with a few of the roommies!

After making wish we headed to the Pantheon, not to be confused with the Parthenon (which is in Greece!). The Pantheon was build around 100 AD and is an architectural miracle and the inspiration for many domes across the world! This building also houses the tomb of Raphael!

After this we checked out our Hotel, took a quick nap and enjoyed some of Rome's night life including arancini (rice balls) of course! Our second day in Rome began in Vatican City at St. Peter's Basilica. Not only is this one of the largest churches in the world, but it houses major works of art, architecture, and popes!

We also got to see Michelangelo's Pieta, which was intended for his tomb!

After seeing St. Peter's Basilica we toured Castel Sant' Angelo, which was once a prison as well as a mausoleum and home to popes during dangerous times! Climbing to the top of the castle was amazing and offered great views of Roma and Vatican City!

After seeing the castle we went back to the Vatican Museum to see the Sisteen Chapel! We saw a ton of exhibits in the Museum, but one of my favorite was the Gallery of Maps. It was filled with maps from all different times and the ceiling in the Gallery was incredible!

After seeing the Gallery, we headed to the Sisteen Chapel which is covered in frescoes done by Michelangelo including the famous The Creation of Adam! Our first two days of Rome were packed full of art, history, and tons of rain, but we loved every minute!