Italy: Rome day 1

This week I will finally be posting from our Italy trip.  We had an amazing time and are wishing we were still there!  I got a Sony NEX-5 from Chris last year for Christmas which proved to take incredible pictures.  Enjoy!

On our first night we settled into Hotel Bouganville and began to wander the streets of Rome.  Above is the view from our hotel room.  There must have been a church nearby because the next morning I woke up to the sound of a beautiful choir.  Amazing

Our first day we headed to Vatican City, along with all the other tourists in town.  Seeing the Sistine Chapel was a truly amazing experience.  And after a 2 hour wait in 80 degree sun, being inside the Basilica was an experience unlike any other.  Totally worth the wait!  We even got to see the changing of the Swiss Guard!

Michelangelo's Pietà, marble, represents the Virgin Mary holding her crucified son, Jesus Christ.  The Pietà is widely regarded as the greatest work in Christian art ever created and is the only work Michelangelo left his name on.

Next we headed over to the Spanish steps (which were actually designed and funded by the French).  The 18th century steps were crowded with tourists but still a must see!

That night we headed to the Pantheon and stopped for dinner where I had amazing spaghetti and lobster.  Next off to see the famous Trevi Fountain!  I couldn't believe at midnight it was still so crowded!

Up Next: Florence and Pisa!