August 24, 2016 - Tanya's Magical Anniversary Trip - Day 8 - Rome and Great Local Tours of Rome

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Rome Illuminated Local Tours 

Good day to you!!

I'd like to make a SHOUT OUT to my parents as today is their 53rd Wedding Anniversary!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MOM & DAD!!

Wow, that's a long time to be with someone!  
For those of you who know my parents, I'm sure you'll get a big kick out of these pictures!

My Mom & Dad - August 24, 1963

My Mom & Dad - May, 2016 - almost 53 years later

With today being W2GW (Where to Go Wednesday), I wanted to tell you about a wonderful company in Rome, Rome Illuminated, which provides for some really terrific local tours!

During my August 2014 visit, we went on three local tours, which I would recommend in a heartbeat!!

True to it's description on their website, "Each excursion is enlivened with fun facts, amazing ideas, and memorable stories. We focus on the hidden sides of the highlights we love and on an ever-changing selection of hidden gems and last-minute opportunities."

Rome Illuminated Tour - August 2014 - Rome at Dusk (at Colosseum) (c)travelincousins.com

We actually had the pleasure of being guided by two members of the Rome Illuminated staff - Evan, 
a native of Oregon - full of knowledge and passion about The Eternal City -- and wonderful with kids!!

And then there was Claudia, who was sweet as she was smart!
 
All of the tours are private, geared to families, couples, and small groups, with the option of being personalized, depending on your desires and requests.

The guides meet their clients at their hotel or at a convenient meeting point, which was perfect for us, considering we had my young daughters in tow.

1) Rome at Dusk Tour  

INSIDE ST. IGNASIUS CHURCH (c)travelincousins.com

If you are intent on understanding the large and small details of Rome, this tour is perfect for you. 

Included on our excursion were two gorgeous churches - St. Ignasius and St. Augustine.

INSIDE ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH (c)travelincousins.com

Ironically, our Airbnb apartment was located on Via Della Scroffa, where our tour began and about which Evan was kind enough to tell us a bit of wonderful history.  

Via Della Scroffa, is 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!!

​We explored on foot and by private van for 2-1/2 hours some of the hidden corners of the city and, iconic sights including the ancient Pantheon temple and the stunning square called Piazza Navona. 

And last but not least, a visit through the Colosseum, during which Evan enlightened our group with a few gross facts...

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). 

2. Food & Market Tour 

CAFE FORNO ROSCIOLI (BREADS & PIZZA) (c)travelincousins.com

A morning of pure deliciousness!

The morning Food & Market Tour is not to be missed!!

We ate way too much.  From breads and pizza to fresh fruit and dried meats and even mouth watering gelato!

Pizza at Cafe Forno Roscioli (c)travelincousins.com

Norcineria Antica Viola (dried meats) (c)travelincousins.com

The Food & Market Tour takes visitors through Rome's most charming neighborhoods.

"Italy has one of the most storied food cultures in the world and Rome's local products provide bold, unique, and natural flavors." - Rome Illuminated

Fresh Fruit at Campo di Fiori (c)travelincousins.com

3. Vatican

The Vatican (c)travelincousins.com

What trip to Rome would be complete with one of the most-visited places in all of Rome - The Vatican.

This tour was led by another Rome Illuminated tour guide, Claudia. Originally from Naples, she now resides in Rome and spent over three hours telling us all about the Vatican - its history, the artwork within and many anecdotal stories about several of the artists who created much of the artwork, including Michelangelo. 

While my kids are not the best on "historical" and "museum" tours, Claudia made it fun for the little ones.

Mom, Me and Claudia, Our Vatican Tour Guide (c)travelincousins.com

CLICK HERE for 16 Fun Facts About the Vatican.

This 3-hour tour included a memorable visit to view Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel, works from Roman and Greek antiquity as well as works by Raphael inside the old papal palaces and, of course, a visit to the astonishing Basilica of Saint Peter. 

For more information about Rome Illuminated, visit them at www.romeilluminated.com.


Well, my dear peeps, I'm off to a day of doctors' visits. First, I am taking the girls to get their annual blood work done (which I know they are soooo looking forward to - NOT!) 

Then Gianna has her monthly orthodontist visit, which usually leaves her mouth in a bit of pain, poor kid.  

See ya back here tomorrow!
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING FROM: ROME TO COPENHAGEN TO EDINBURGH

Everything Roma

Hello World.

I woke up to a score this morning. Literally shaken out of bed by the 6.3 Earthquake that had an epicenter of approximately 65 miles north of Rome.

If you know me, you know that I am not a fan of the earth shaking beneath me feet or under my bed. Yes, it freaks me out. I become a bundle of nerves and it doesn't go away for hours and hours. Sometimes not until the next day.

Well this was no ordinary short earthshake - this was around a 30 second "you've got to be freakin' kidding me!" earthquake that woke me and kept me awake since 3:30am. 

Then to realize the destruction - it was terribly tragic. I quickly got on to text the kids and my mom, email Elisa and get FaceBook to let my friends and family know that I was phyiscally okay. 

More about today and the rest of the events - going from Rome to Copenhagen and then Edinburgh all in a day! All to be revealed in tomorrows Daily Scoop.

Today I will share with you how wonderful yesterday was...until it kinda went BUST!

Starting our day with a lovely breakfast at the Royal Hotel Spendide, located directly across from the very beautiful Villa Borghese gardens (a favorite hotel here in Rome).
​
Then back out on foot and our first stop was to be at the Trevi Fountain to toss our coins in and guarantee a return visit.
And then to Dave's favorite hat store - Fratelli Segatori which is a wonderful little shop directly across from the fountains that has been in that same location, owned by the same family and selling hats for over 122 years!
I think that is pretty darn awesome.

After Dave picked up a few hats, it was time to do some souvenir shopping and then some shopping for your's truly. 

We happened to step into the Galleria Alberto Sordi and was happily surprised to find an adorable Traveling exhibit of everyone's favorite rodent - Mickey Mouse!!

After locating the perfect outfit for a day in Edinburgh, we had worked up an appetite and headed over to a favorite lunch location right on Piccolo Piazza.

After a yummy pasta luch, we had made our way back to our hotel to cool off (yup the afternoon was getting very HOT), and to get ready for the Opera!

This is where the night kinda went BUST-A-ROO...

We arrived at the theatre only to find out that their electricity wasn't working and that they could either credit us for tomorrow night's performance! 
UGH
NO WAY?!?!
​
Then deciding to just go to dinner - at one of my favorite restaurants...only to be disappointed with my meal and now not plan on going back.

To cap off the night we went for our first Gelato of the trip and stopped by the awesome Pantheon and back to the hotel we went.

We led us into today - 3:30a to be exact. Be sure not to miss tomorrows Daily Scoop to find out all about today.

Ciao,
​-T