Our Trip to Italy

We started the day at the Capitoline Museum. Lots more 2000+ year old statues. They must be everywhere if you dig. This is one of the most famous pieces in this museum. Romulus and Remus nursing from the wolf. We also walked through the hall of inscriptions where they had ancient Roman writing translated. Greg's favorite was a tender "Here lies my beloved"... and ends with "if you are caught stealing this plaque you will be fined." My favorite was a list of vendors who were caught "sitting in seats without tickets" - a public notice to shop elsewhere, I guess. They also had a great view of the Roman Forum from the opposite direction. Then we walked to St. John Lateran - with only a little detour. It was quite beautiful.  Then we went to the Pantheon again. On the weekend they require tickets. So we went back today... so we could say we did. Now I have seen the final resting place of Raphael.  We came acro...

We just went to Mass in St. Peter's Basillica. It was incredible to celebrate in such an amazing setting with one of the most famous and beautiful alter decorations behind the priests. I counted 37 ordinary ministers. 7 were bishops, 1 was a cardinal, wow! Then we moved into St. Peter's square for the Papal Audience at 12. He came out and gave a brief homily about today's gospel. Then led some prayers of the faithful style prayers. We downloaded the Vatican App so we could hear a live translation into English.  See the open window behind us? That is the pope! We have tickets to the Borghese Gallery this afternoon. Until then we have a nice relaxing stretch to eat and relax and maybe walk a little.

It is Saturday.  We spent the morning at the Coloseum and the ancient sites around it. We walked all over the ancient forum.  We went through 2 different walking tours and we went all over the place. When we had finally looked at all the really old stuff we could stand, we walked to the most touristy part of Rome. We went to all the "must see" places including the Trevi Fountain and I threw the obligatory coin into the fountain. We walked the steps, we ate lunch, we went into several churches that I had read about in advance. It was all very nice. We had no time pressure and just enjoyed everything.  We decided to do the last Rome walking tour that we had... the Jewish Ghetto. So we walked to the starting point and did it. Then we came back to our airbnb to cool off before dinner again. Wow! Such a beautiful city.

Yesterday (Friday) we spent all morning in the various Vatican Museums. We started with a "before they open" guided tour. That took us through all the big stuff, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms where "School of Athens" is a fresco on the wall. We had breakfast inside the museum grounds and then went in search of the Raphael and di Vinci paintings they have. It took a while but we finally found the right place. As we are working our way through we can see one room blocked off, chairs set up inside and the occasional sound check coming over speakers. Can you guess what room is closed? Of course, the one with the Raphael's! But we could see the Transfiguration through the doorway. However, I realized in Vinci (the town) that there aren't that many di Vinci paintings and I had already been in museums to see most of them. I really wanted to see "St. Jerome in the Desert" - which would leave only 3 di Vinci pain...

We walked out of Lucca this morning to the train station. Here we are at the 400+ year old city wall. It is fun seeing the bike trail out the window that we were riding yesterday. We are taking a slower train route that follows along the coast of Italy. Hopefully we'll be able to see the sea out the window as we go. Rome is only a few hours away! We are in our airbnb in Rome! Here is the view out the window. We are off for a walk to Vatican City.

(Coast in Venice) We did the last day of our bike trip today. We rode from Lucca to Pisa, to the coast, to Pisa, to Lucca. It was our record for longest distance - 94k. I was tired by the end. It was the right day to wear ourselves out. Tomorrow we sit on a cushy train to take us to Rome. My legs can rest. We stopped at "the rock" where the people of Lucca watched the people of Pisa to see they were invading back in the 1200s. Greg was very naughty. Then on to Pisa for pictures and gelato. Then on to the coast with my sweet man. Then all the way back to Lucca. What an incredible trip! Venice feels like a long time ago. And we aren't done yet! 4 days in Rome coming up!