August 8th

Day 3- Roma
Food & Market Tour AND The Vatican on Foodie Friday

Greetings from Rome!  It's now our third day here!
Can I just say how much I LOVE Rome!! I find it not only charming and historic, but to me, it feels like one big "'neighborhood".  The local stores, the quaintness of the streets - it feels like home!

Today is a big day for us, as we have two tours planned!! First we are going on a Food & Market Tour this morning which I cannot wait to tell you about tomorrow! Imagine - we will be eating like locals, strolling through an outdoor market, enjoying street food, gourmet shops, a family-run restaurant, an outstanding getateria and many more tasty shops-- all before lunch!!

LUNCH AT CIAMPINI 2 YESTERDAY - WE POLISHED OFF 3 PIZZA'S!!

Then later this afternoon, we head to the Vatican for a private afternoon tour.  I hope the kids enjoy this because I know it can be daunting and overwhelming.  We'll hope for the best.  

Ok - time for a little rant - Wednesday night poor Kelsey had so much trouble falling asleep.  First of all, the jet lag is hard enough for an adult but for a kid, they  don't quite understand the impact on their bodies. So, as a result, she was also extra scared and anxious "not being in her own house" as she put it and afraid that she would still be awake while everyone was asleep, so Mommy, decides in order to give her security, to stay awake until she falls asleep - guesss what? - that was nearly 4 am!!! And to boot, I was so over tired, I couldn't fall asleep till 5!  Yesterday was a tough day to say the least! Ok - finito!

IN FRONT OF THE SPANISH STEPS BEING REFURBISHED

Yesterday... another beautiful day,  I woke up rather late (not my original intention, but that's what happens when you are mommy) and we decided to venture out before our late afternoon "Rome at Dusk" tour.  We walked all along Via dei Condotti past all the designer shops until we hit the Spanish Steps.  Unfortunately, this famous site was in the midst of being refurbished, so there was scaffolding and fences all over.  We managed to get a few shots - not great, but what can ya do. Tedd, Kelsey and I climbed them, while Gianna & Mom waited at the bottom.

HALF WAY UP THE SPANISH STEPS (Via dei Condotti in background - straight up)

TEDD & KELSEY CLIMBING THE SPANISH STEPS

We made a pit stop in Gucci, where my mom bought a little something for herself and my sister and Tedd bought me a bag!! Love getting prizes!

At 4:30, we met back at our apartment to begin our Rome at Dusk Tour.  Our tour guide, Evan, from Rome Illuminated Tours was wonderful!  An American from Oregon, he was truly a delight - full of knowledge and he had a great way with kids.

ME WITH MY NEW GUCCI BAG!

We visited the Colloseum and The Pantheon, learning much and having a few laughs along the way. Unfortunately, we could not go to the Crypt of the Cappucini because of a huge group of German pilgrims who had overtaken the place, and had we gone, we would have encountered hours long wait times to get in :( which would not have been good traveling with the kids.  

This was very disappointing, but it didn't diminish the tour one bit! In fact, the kids were amazing on this tour - patient, cooperative - I was very proud of my little travelers!

AT THE COLLOSEUM

A few gross facts about the Colloseum - over the 450 years that it was open, over 1 million people and countless animals were killed.  To "celebrate" the opening ceremonies - over 5000 animals were slaughtered.  And two species in particular - a bear and an elephant went extinct because of the Roman's "entertainment" passion.  (got me kind of sick).

KELSEY ON THE RUINS

Evan also took us into two gorgeous churches - St. Ignasius and St. Augustine. One of the interesting things we found out from Evan is that staying on Via Della Scroffa, we were on the exact street by which pilgrims traveled along into Rome for hundreds of years to make their way to the Vatican.  In fact right at our apartment's corner at Via Agostino, they would turn right and head straight up to the Vatican. Very historic street to be on!!

INSIDE ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH

INSIDE ST. IGNASIUS CHURCH

CEILING AT ST. IGNASIUS

UP ON "THE HILL" OVERLOOKING ROME

Just a wonderful day! More gelato today - we ate dinner at a lovely restaurant right near Piazza Navona after our tour where the kids each had some gelato to end their day.  Mommy was too busy talking about Italian history with Mom and Tedd that I forgot to take their picture!! 

MOM GRABBING A SMOKE WITH OUR WAITRESS FRANCESCA

And did you think a little travel would get in the way of us presenting our normal Foodie Friday Feature? Never!!  This week, read all about our visit to Ralph's Original Italian Ices on the eve of our trip to Italy!

Have a wonderful day and see ya back here tomorrow!
-E


PS: To Tanya - Loved your top yesterday - glad it fits you so great!!

Day 3- London
Lord Save the Queen

I wish that I could insert an English accent here as I wish you a warm greeting from London (but I'm not sure how I would do that! lol

While visiting other European countries that I've noticed that I usually start to pick up on the local accents while I am there (thanks to my mommy), let's just say that it's not happening here...but at least we are sort of speaking the same language!

Yesterday was quite a long day for us, and I ran poor Dave B ragged, to the point that he would start to fall asleep while standing in various places - the tube, in queues, at the dinner table during conversation, etc...
We were checking things out all over town:

The streets of Kensington

The streets of Kensington

Standing outside the Tower of London

Entering the site

Ooooh la la - but no pictures allowed inside :(

Top of the Shard

Time to check out the Tower Bridge!

Crossing the bridge

PS - Elisa...Look at what I'm wearing! ;)

At Tralfalgar Square, waiting for Dave

The London Eye

Palace of Westminister

Got to hear the Bells of Big Ben!

As for today, being that I missed my alarm (so annoyed). We will skip breakfast - because the Queen will not wait! Heading to tour Buckinham Palace, then we'll try some local fare of "Fish" and Chips at London's only Vegan/Vegetarian Pub - Coach and Horses! 
The rest of the day will be spent seeing Westminster Abbey, going to "Tea", and wandering the streets of London! 

I'll catch up with you guys soon! Gotta RUN!!!

-T