It was a bit bitter sweet waking up this morning. This was our last full day in Rome and our last full day in Italy all together. In 24 hours, we would be back on the long plane ride making our way home to the states. And boy, I wasn't ready for that. But that was still 24 hours away, we still had the whole day ahead of us of more exploring and falling in love with Italy. So I had to put those sad thoughts to the side!
Hubby and I rolled out of bed fairly early, as we had scheduled tickets to tour the Colosseum. And because we decided taxis weren't our thing, we planned to walk there. And let me just tell you, it wasn't a close walk! So we quickly got ourselves dressed and headed out the door. After a few selfies of course.
As we walked from our villa to the Colosseum, we took in the early morning hustle and bustle. And before we knew it, we were standing there, with the Colosseum, right in front of us. At this point of the trip, I don't know how my jaw wasn't just permanently on the ground. Because, standing there, looking at the Colosseum, my jaw dropped, as it did with everything else we saw! We checked in with our tour group and then went and snapped some pictures while we waited to be let inside. When we purchased our ticket to tour, we decided to go big and upgrade to VIP to have access to the Gladiator entrance; the same entrance that gladiators once used for their battles.
As we joined together to listen to the tour guide tell us do's + don'ts, I was anxious to get inside. We finally started to walk in and my mind started creating scenarios of what the gladiators would have looked like as they were getting ready to enter. Before I knew it, we were standing on the platform where those exact gladiators I was trying to picture, once fought. Parts of me started searching for blood, and wondered if there were any signs that years ago, many lost their lives right here. The platform was under construction, so of course it did look a bit different, but it was still so cool to see up close and in person.
Hubby and I just stood there, taking it all in. Looking up to where the stands were, where spectators would sit to watch. I shuddered to think of the noises that were once made and heard there. Of the scenes that once played out here. Of all the things that happened right in this very Colosseum, right where we were standing. We stood there taking in the main platform for a bit longer and then started to make our way towards the rest of the Colosseum. Reading the facts, looking at each level, just being there, is probably one of the coolest things we got to experience.
Honestly, I would go back and see it again. The pictures just don't do it justice! After spending a good chunk of our morning just gawking at everything in the Colosseum, we made our way out and got to explore the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Roman Ruins. We spent a good rest of our afternoon there. The Roman Forum is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings. Knowing they were found in the 8th Century BC-AD made me more intrigued to want to know, well, more!! Palatine Hill is one of the most ancient parts of the city. In the renaissance, the Farnese family used part of the Palatine for their private botanical gardens. After the Renaissance, the Palatine remained largely untouched and is now just another beautiful place you can explore when you visit.
It was so warm that day, and we had done SO much walking. Between walking to the Colosseum, to walking through the Forum and to the top of Palatine Hill. We were SO thirsty by this point. But at the top of the Palatine Hill, there was the cutest water fountain with water just constantly flowing out. We didn't have water bottles so both hubby and I just stuck our heads under the spout and lapped it up with our hands! I remember it being so cool, so fresh, so clean tasting.
After hydrating ourselves, we continued our exploring to the Roman Ruins. All I can remember is that it was some more, jaw dropping scenery. We took it all in, snapped some photos and made our way back out onto the streets. And then stumbled upon yet another beautiful building.
The Vittoriano. We didn't get a chance to actually go inside, but just admiring it from the outside was impressive enough. It was all white marble with beautiful statues and was built at the turn of the 20th century to honor Italy's first king, Vittorio Emanuele II.
All though by this point we were exhausted, we didn't want to make our way back to our villa just yet. We felt there was still so much more to see. So we decided to walk some more ( a lot more), to go check out the Jewish Ghetto. The Roman Ghetto was a Jewish ghetto established in 1555. The walk there was beautiful ( I mean duh, would you expect anything other?) and the Jewish Ghetto itself, was cool to experience. We decided since we were already on this side of the city, we would keep exploring and stop somewhere for lunch. We found a little pizza place along the way and we went inside just in time before it started to rain.
It was quiet and so cute. Just what we were looking for after all the excitement and exploring all morning/afternoon. We even got to enjoy the free WiFi so we could check in with our families. The best part? The pizza obviously! After we finished eating and the rain stopped, we decided it was time to make that long walk, back to our villa. I couldn't have been more excited when we finally made it. I just remember taking my shoes off, sitting on the little couch, turning on cartoons and dozing off for a much needed nap.
After we gained our energy back, we freshened up and went out to enjoy our very last night in Rome. There was lots of entertainment we got to enjoy while walking around. One was a show being projected on a building. I could have sat there and watched it all night. I will try to share a video below if it lets me! After the show we we went and found a romantic spot to eat our last Italian dinner. I remember we decided to sit outside because it was such a beautiful evening. It was a small little table right outside the door and was the perfect little spot. Both romantic and perfect for people watching!
We enjoyed some delicious meatballs, wine and pasta, then walked the streets for a bit longer before we stopped into one of the bakeries for a Cannoli. The night was coming to an end and we slowly walked back to our villa. I didn't want it to end. But we were so exhausted and had a car coming to pick us up super early to bring us to the airport. So I knew, it was time. Hubby opened the door to our villa one last time (which I forgot to mention, we struggled with opening EVERY single time. We never knew if we would be able to get in!), we walked in, I inhaled my Cannoli, took in the last few moments of Rome, Italy, before we drifted off to sleep.
Rome had really grown on me. Italy had won my heart. I was in love. I knew I was being selfish but I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to go home. I wanted to stay there, in that Villa, with hubby, forever. But as we made our way down the steps to our driver's car, I knew that wasn't possible. It was time to go home. And let Italy be a beautiful memory and experience we got to do together.
But here's the thing, I left a piece of my heart there. And I know, without any doubt in my mind, hubby and I will be back. And I can't wait for that day. But until then, we get to read these blog posts I created for each day, in each city and relive our beautiful trip together.
Italy, ci vediamo presto amore mio. <3