Pantheon and Trevi

 After the Vatican we walked back to our hotel and explored the rest of the way back. It made for a long day but we saw a huge chunk of Rome that way! I loved the Pantheon! So old and so well kept. And we got to say hi to Raphael.

 And we found Marcus' scroll! One of my must find items.

 And we stumbled on a guy giving carriage rides around the Colosseum. It felt so right to travel by carriage! We went past where Caesar was killed, near the Forum, and around the Colosseum. Nice way to see it.

 Jon making his best Gladiator faces

 He's ready for his turn in the spotlight don't you think?

 Saying goodbye to our cute horse.

 And onto the Trevi. I was surprised I loved the Trevi so much! It was so grand.

 Tossing our coins in!

 We came back when the lights were on after our dinner and I'm so glad we did!

Vatican

 We took a morning tour of the Vatican our first morning in Rome. Such  huge museum! I would have loved to spend more time exploring that place--but it was too vast to actually get through.

 And good grief there were statues everywhere you turned! Almost became overkill.

 But then we found a Bronze Hercules....and you can't be disappointed with that!

 And the Sistine Chapel and saying Hi to Peter. Crazy ornate church and sculptures.

 Just a couple Mormons visiting the Vatican. It honestly felt a little like we were undercover trying to find the Catholic secrets :)

 Loved the bridge of angels and medieval castle. We wanted to go in there too--but there are only so many museums you can see in one day before your brain shuts down!

 And more fountains in Piazza Navona

To ROME

 Somewhat melancholy, we packed up and headed to the Venice train station. We got situated on our train like professionals, and headed to Rome. Once in Rome we walked to our hotel and checked in (we learned later that we should have taken the subway--so cheap and easy!). The traffic is crazy over there! Venice was def easier to explore at your own pace--in Rome you would get hit by a motorcycle if you take too long to look at something! We then headed to the Spanish Steps to get our feet wet in Rome.

 We walked down and then up those steps--just to make sure we owned that tourist must see, not because we got lost.

 And I started collecting fountains. Probably one of my favorite things about Rome were all the fountains you stumble on.

 We then decided last minute to head out to Aqueduct park. I'm SO glad we did! It was perfect. Just locals there walking their dogs or out for an evening jog. So pretty, and cool to see all the old aqueducts just crossing the park. Makes you remember how small and insignificant you are when you walk quietly amidst such history!

 Can you see it? We spelled ROME