Day 21 (part 2): Rome
Our next stop was the Eternal City of Rome. We arrived at the airport and a driver was waiting for us to take us to the apartment of our most recent exchange student’s sister. She lives in Rome to attend a university there. She lives in a beautiful apartment in a beautiful and quiet neighborhood north of the old part of Rome. There are several embassies along the road and it is quite safe.
I took this just because I liked the building
This is the Italian treasury building. It’s under construction (as is most of Rome at the moment), but it’s right in the neighborhood.
More beautiful apartments.
Other than walking around the neighborhood, we just went to dinner in a small local restaurant (osteria), and then went to bed early, knowing the next day would be very busy.
Dinner
Then dessert
Day 22: Rome
We walked down the street to a small cafe and enjoyed a cornetto and cappuccino for breakfast.
After breakfast, a driver picked us to for our private tour of Rome. It was an absolute perfect day and an amazing tour. Much of Rome is currently under construction because they are preparing for a Jubilee in 2025, a significant event for the Catholic Church. The population next year is expected to quadruple for the event.
Our first stop was the Trevi Fountain. At 8:30 a.m., there were not many people there and we got some great photos.
Francesca hadn’t been to Rome since she was little, so she was enjoying the sights as much as we were.
The second stop was the Spanish Steps
The streets directly across from the Spanish Steps are high end designers.
After the Spanish Steps we went to the Pantheon. It used to be a Roman temple, but is now a beautiful Catholic Church.
The ceiling of the pantheon. There is a hole in the center that offers beautiful lighting.
There are paintings all around like this.
A view of the altar and pews in the church
Near the Pantheon is another church called Santa Maria Maddalena with some beautiful art work
This is the ceiling
City Hall in historic downtown Rome
The famous Romulus and Remus statue
The Roman Forum, the oldest parts dating back to 500 BC.
The Colosseum. It was quite a sight to see. It was absolutely packed with tourists and street vendors, but looking at it from a distance was almost better than up close. It was build between the years 72-80. It would hold 50,000-80,000 people
I learned that the sections of the Colosseum that were "broken off" were actually taken off to be used to build other structures.
Circus Maximus, home of chariot racing
We stopped in Vatican City. This is St. Peter's Basilica. Unfortunately, because of the crowds, we didn't get to visit inside, but the outside was beautiful.
The Colonnades around St. Peter's square. On the top are statues of various saints and martyrs.
A look in the opposite direction, looking at more Colonnades and the obelisk.
Rome was built around 7 hills. Here's a view of the city from one of them.
The fountain near the viewpoint on the hill. It was so hot, the water looks so refreshing. People were dunking their water bottles in it and dumping the water on themselves.
Castel Sant'Angelo - Castle of the Angels. Contains an escape route from the Vatican.
Day 23: Rome to Vigevano
The girls and I got up and took a nice morning walk around Fulvia's neighborhood. The architecture is so beautiful and unique.
The detail in the mosaic was amazing.
We stopped for breakfast, which of course included pastries and cappuccino.
We got back and packed for our next stop, Milan.
A typical Roman sandwich/wrap called piadina
On the train to Milan, which was about 3 hours
Some of the Italian countryside from the train.
Francesca's mom picked us up from the train station and took us on a quick tour of Milan.
Duomo Cathedral
We then headed to Francesca's home town of Vigevano.
Vigevano square
My dinner
Day 24: Vigevano
We were supposed to head to Lake Como today, however they were expecting storms, so the plans changed and we toured the town of Vigevano. Francesca's dad grew up in and used to be a guide in the town, so he was full of knowledge of the historical aspects.
The Ducal Palace built in the 1300s
The old stables. It's estimated that they had over 500 horses, a symbol of wealth. It was most recently taken over from the military who changed many aspects, but the building is still beautiful nonetheless.
The columns and ceiling in the stables
The roofed roads in the palace. The rings are where horses were tied.
One of the oldest churches in Vigevano, St George Church
A painting on the wall of the church. I'm guessing it was also painted in the 1300s.
The outside of the church.
Francesca's high school
Inside the high school is a courtyard.
Day 25: Lake Como
The weather cleared up and we headed to Lake Como this morning. It was about a 2 hour drive from Vigevano and near the Switzerland border. We did accidentally take the wrong exit and drove into Switzerland briefly. Here we got on a hired boat and toured the lake.
A view from the pier
Francesca (Left), Fulvia, and their Uncle Fabio on the boat
Versace Villa
Gorgeous towns and villas line the lake
A beautiful waterfall
Me and Francesca's mom, Valeria
Villa del Balbianello. Some movies were filmed here. You can rent the venue for a mere $4000 and hour.
The entire lake made for great Instagramming.
That evening we went out for an Apertivo. Food/dining in Italy is much cheaper than the US. You can get a cocktail for less than $10 and it includes this food.
Since it was our last night in Vigevano, the Cappai family treated us to a very special dinner. It was at an old Italian farm. It was a private dinner made from products produced by the farm. It was an unforgettable night.
The farm as you walk in.
One of the rooms, used to house the cows. Now it's used for events.
The farm courtyard
Our dining table
First course, meats, cheeses, and vegetables along with homemade bread and wine.
Then we had a delicious dish of risotto with cheese and basil.
Then a pesto pasta dish
Pork roast with potatoes was next
A lemon sorbet cleansed the palate
Followed by a coffee mousse.
The farm after dinner.
Francesca, her dad Fabrizio, me, and Stan before dinner
We were sooo full after dinner, but it was truly an amazing experience.
Day 26: Fire Stations and Milan
This was our last day in Europe. The family arranged for Stan to visit a local fire station. Stan really enjoyed learning about it.
Of course the espresso bar was a must in the station
The common room
After the Vigevano station tour, we headed to Milan for a tour of the largest station in the area.
Inside the courtyard of the complex. There were so many bays with fire trucks. This is just one side.
The training tower with some trucks. They had just about every type of vehicle here.
The guys had a call while we were there. It was kind of funny to me. They don't have a response time on their calls (Gilbert calls need to respond in 4 minutes or less). The truck pulled up to the exit where some of the firefighters were smoking their cigarettes. They put the cigarettes out and casually got on the truck before it went on it's way.
After the Milan station tour, we were dropped off at our hotel near the airport, where we were leaving from the next morning.
We made it. Heading home after an epic vacation.
In London, when they scanned Stan's passport, it beeped, so he had to follow the security guy who searched him, his shoes, and frisked him. It think it was a random search. I snuck the photo because I wasn't sure if I could take a photo.
They didn't have a gate for us in London, so we had to get on a shuttle, that took us to the plane and we got on the old fashioned way. While we were waiting on the shuttle, Stan looks up and says, "I know that guy" and one of the Gilbert firefighters was also on our plane and actually had the seat directly in front of Stan. Small world!
We made it home after a smooth flight. The kids and animals were glad to see us. It's good to be home, but I'm already planning my next trip in my head. It was a month full of many memories that I will cherish forever.
