Our adventure continues from the floating city of Venice to the beach town of Rimini! Located on the Adriatic Sea, it boasts nine miles of sandy beach and makes for loads of sun and games. The trip members had a great time playing football and volleyball, as we kept the music playing throughout the day and enjoying savory gelato treats. The next stop on our unbelievable adventure was Italy’s capital, Rome! Rome has architecture, art, and history dating back nearly 3000 years. It is truly an incredible mix of history and modernity, as the current metropolis is built around and into, the history that resides there.

Our first stop in Rome was the Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous fountains in the world. The entirely stone fountain dates back to 1762 and is over 160 feet wide. One of the traditions while there is to throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain. If you throw one coin, you will return to Rome. If you throw two coins, then you will find new romance, and if you throw three it will ensure marriage.

We spent the next day checking out different markets and more popular sights. Our group started at Campo de’ Fiori, which translates to “field of flowers.” The area used to be a meadow, but now is filled with flower, fruit, and vegetable markets.

Next, we visited Piazza del Popolo, a large urban square which used to be the main entrance into Rome and the first thing people would see entering the Italian capital. The streets leading away from the square are filled with many trendy shops and restaurants, and the trip members enjoyed their time exploring and taking part in everyday local Roman life. Nearby are the renown Spanish Steps, which connect the piazza at the bottom to the Trinità del Monti church at the top. They were indirectly funded by the Spanish embassy and were completed in 1735. This area was a heated topic in history on how to best connect the two areas, as there was an extremely steep slope there. In 1717, a competition was held for the best design to connect the areas and is how the famous 135 steps were created.

In the evening, the group had dinner in Trastevere, a neighborhood in the west bank of the Tiber River, which separates the city into two. The area is known for its narrow cobbled streets and ancient homes. However, its character and flavor really comes out at night with its many restaurants and shops!

Our last day in Rome brought us to another country, as we made our way to Vatican City. It is the smallest state in the world by both area (110 acres) and population (1000 people). The group took a guided tour about the Roman Catholic faith and residing Pope’s home. The most well known work there is the Sistine Chapel, which Michelangelo himself painted. The sight of the famous ceiling is truly breathtaking and all the details, even the smallest, are truly a marvel.

The group’s history-filled day continued at the Colosseum, where gladiators fought for their lives as up to 80,000 spectators would look on and cheer! As we toured the amphitheatre, scenes from Russell Crowe’s “Gladiator” kept popping up amongst us. The sheer size and feel of the building was incredible. The fact that the Colosseum is nearing on being 2000 years old is absolutely remarkable as well.

Our Roman adventure through history was amazing and we ate our final meal there in style-with a toga party!

To the Amalfi Coast we go!

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