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For all of you interested in where I've been...Rome, Italy!<br><br>
The details:<br>
Where: Rome<br>
When: 12/23-1/1<br>
Why: Why not?<br>
With: The cutest DH ever<br><br>
Last year as DH was putting in 60+ hours a week studying for law school and I was taking classes and working full time I decided that we weren't spending enough quality time together...so I booked a trip...to Italy. I surprised him one afternoon when I picked him up from class and handed him our itinerary. Husbands, do not neglect your wives even a little-wives with credit cards book trips<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
So on the 23rd of December we drove to the airport and hitched a ride to Roma thru Frankfurt. Overnight with the times zones we arrived early morning on the 24th. There would be no sleeping on the plane, thank you to the twelve children under the age of 2 that screamed the entire flight to Germany. Thank you again to the child that kicked our seats until we arrived in Rome. Despite the lack of sleep we decided (oh how stupid) to just plow through the first day-let's go to Midnight Mass...Our first hotel was directly across from the Vatican Museum. Convenient for our church plan. As the day wore on we made a rash decision-I know, let's walk AROUND the entire Vatican city state...it's far people, those walls go all the way around. We were tired, physically worn out and hungry. Must find food. Got some pizza (of course) and went to a grocery store for fruit and water and headed back to the apartment (the hotel put us in an apartment-awesome). The mission was rest so we could go to church...we fell asleep at 8pm and woke up at 9:30am the next day.<br><br>
Well rested finally, the Catholic guilt set in-we were in Rome, there are Catholic churches on every block, we are across from the Vatican, it is Christmas...and we didn't go to church. What more can I say.<br><br>
The rest of the trip went by in a blur. 8 full days in the city, viewing the most awe-inspiring architecture. The historical significance was not lost on us and we reached a new level of appreciation thanks to our local guides. Hands down favorite for me was the Colosseum. Simply amazing, the structure, the history. Fantastic. We hit all of the major sites, St. Peter's, the Forum, Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and on and on we went. It was a sight to see. I don't think we could have packed any more into our time there (okay maybe a litte), but that just means we'll have to make a return trip someday.<br><br>
The food...yummy. I am a sucker for good food and trying new things. I love gelato, cream and pistachio sauce on pasta, prosciutto and mozzarella, lentils, Tuscan beef, all of it. I love it all. Thankfully we walked up and down hills (avgeraging 5 miles/day) so we could eat without guilt. Unfortunately we both ended up sick at one point during the trip-one day for him, one for me-so we were a little hesitant at times.<br><br>
The wine...delicious. Frankly, I'm a bit slow in the wine category. I'll need to go out to Oregon for a tutorial with Hobey and Bannon<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> That said, however, I really enjoyed all of the wines that I tasted. Mostly reds from the Lazio region of Italy. I'm partial to the Chiantis of Tuscany, but everything had such a smooth taste that I wasn't about to complain. No bitter after taste is a big selling point. lol<br><br>
By the last couple of days I was ready to come home. Sadly, Rome was not my favorite place-though truth be told I predicted this. It's a city, with nearly 4 million people. It's poluted and dirty and busy. Of course I loved the places that had some open spaces, grass, trees...I am a small town girl afterall. But I wouldn't trade the experience. I got to discover new places and spend time with the man that I adore. We celebrated our 4th anniversary while we were there and every year from here on out when we put up our Christmas tree there will be an ornament that will always remind us of our Christmas in Rome. Go there, see it, be awestruck by the history, indulge in the food and wine, see a country through someone else's eyes. You won't be disappointed.<br><br>
So, although I didn't fall in love with Rome I still love Italy. It's a magical place to visit.<br><br>
Thanks for reading<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
The details:<br>
Where: Rome<br>
When: 12/23-1/1<br>
Why: Why not?<br>
With: The cutest DH ever<br><br>
Last year as DH was putting in 60+ hours a week studying for law school and I was taking classes and working full time I decided that we weren't spending enough quality time together...so I booked a trip...to Italy. I surprised him one afternoon when I picked him up from class and handed him our itinerary. Husbands, do not neglect your wives even a little-wives with credit cards book trips<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
So on the 23rd of December we drove to the airport and hitched a ride to Roma thru Frankfurt. Overnight with the times zones we arrived early morning on the 24th. There would be no sleeping on the plane, thank you to the twelve children under the age of 2 that screamed the entire flight to Germany. Thank you again to the child that kicked our seats until we arrived in Rome. Despite the lack of sleep we decided (oh how stupid) to just plow through the first day-let's go to Midnight Mass...Our first hotel was directly across from the Vatican Museum. Convenient for our church plan. As the day wore on we made a rash decision-I know, let's walk AROUND the entire Vatican city state...it's far people, those walls go all the way around. We were tired, physically worn out and hungry. Must find food. Got some pizza (of course) and went to a grocery store for fruit and water and headed back to the apartment (the hotel put us in an apartment-awesome). The mission was rest so we could go to church...we fell asleep at 8pm and woke up at 9:30am the next day.<br><br>
Well rested finally, the Catholic guilt set in-we were in Rome, there are Catholic churches on every block, we are across from the Vatican, it is Christmas...and we didn't go to church. What more can I say.<br><br>
The rest of the trip went by in a blur. 8 full days in the city, viewing the most awe-inspiring architecture. The historical significance was not lost on us and we reached a new level of appreciation thanks to our local guides. Hands down favorite for me was the Colosseum. Simply amazing, the structure, the history. Fantastic. We hit all of the major sites, St. Peter's, the Forum, Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and on and on we went. It was a sight to see. I don't think we could have packed any more into our time there (okay maybe a litte), but that just means we'll have to make a return trip someday.<br><br>
The food...yummy. I am a sucker for good food and trying new things. I love gelato, cream and pistachio sauce on pasta, prosciutto and mozzarella, lentils, Tuscan beef, all of it. I love it all. Thankfully we walked up and down hills (avgeraging 5 miles/day) so we could eat without guilt. Unfortunately we both ended up sick at one point during the trip-one day for him, one for me-so we were a little hesitant at times.<br><br>
The wine...delicious. Frankly, I'm a bit slow in the wine category. I'll need to go out to Oregon for a tutorial with Hobey and Bannon<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> That said, however, I really enjoyed all of the wines that I tasted. Mostly reds from the Lazio region of Italy. I'm partial to the Chiantis of Tuscany, but everything had such a smooth taste that I wasn't about to complain. No bitter after taste is a big selling point. lol<br><br>
By the last couple of days I was ready to come home. Sadly, Rome was not my favorite place-though truth be told I predicted this. It's a city, with nearly 4 million people. It's poluted and dirty and busy. Of course I loved the places that had some open spaces, grass, trees...I am a small town girl afterall. But I wouldn't trade the experience. I got to discover new places and spend time with the man that I adore. We celebrated our 4th anniversary while we were there and every year from here on out when we put up our Christmas tree there will be an ornament that will always remind us of our Christmas in Rome. Go there, see it, be awestruck by the history, indulge in the food and wine, see a country through someone else's eyes. You won't be disappointed.<br><br>
So, although I didn't fall in love with Rome I still love Italy. It's a magical place to visit.<br><br>
Thanks for reading<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
