ROME! We left Naples early in the morning and arrived at the Marriott Rome Park just before noon. Upon check-in Paul learned about the chartered shuttle bus service that runs between the hotel and Piazza Cavour every other hour. So we quickly caught the 12:00PM shuttle bus and started our "Vatican Day" immediately. We had a quick bite for lunch right outside Saint Peter's Square and then started the journey.
Castle Saint Angelo
Castle Saint Angelo
Fiume Tevere
Angel on the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II BridgeVatican Museum
We spent the day touring the artifacts, admiring the breathtaking paintings and sculptures of the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel. Unfortunately, we were unable to view Saint Peter's Basilica due to the unscheduled visit of a Cardinal who held an invitation only mass. We were disappointed at first but seeing the Sistine Chapel totally made up for the unexpected kink in our plans! It's funny, the chapel was smaller than I imagined but the art was more amazing than I anticipated. Seeing so many things that I studied in Humanities classes in a single day was a little overwhelming. We are so fortunate to have been able to make this trip.
Mosaic Floor at the Vatican Museum
Gardens at the Vatican Museum
Madona and Jesus Stained Glass at the Vatican
The Vatican
Ceilings at the Vatican Museum
Ceilings at the Vatican Museum
The Vatican
A kiss in Saint Peter's Square
Tanner at the fountain in Saint Peter's Square
Tanner, Gavin and Paul outside the Vatican in Saint Peter's Square
Jann and Gavin outside the Vatican
Saint Peter's Square Obelisk
Saint Peter's Square
Saint Peter's Square
Saint Peter's SquareThat night we "accidentally" found my favorite neighborhood in Rome. Like everything else in Italy we were on the hunt for our next meal. The map showed a piazza that looked like it was a pretty decent size so we wound our way through the labyrinth of old and beautiful buildings and "happened upon" Piazza Navona. Piazza Navona is the quintessential Italian piazza with a great central courtyard that hosts street artists and musicians, break dancers and painters selling their masterpieces. Lovely. Dining, alfresco of course and the food - delicious! The evening had a cool breeze and the atmosphere held a certain energy that made me LOVE this place. We actually returned each day we were in Rome, I liked it that much!
Welcome to Piazza Navona
Dinner
Dinner
The lovebirds ;)
Old Rome Underground 
Tanner on the Ponte Principe Bridge 
Jann on the Ponte Principe Bridge
Looking over the Fiume Tevere (River)
Saint Giovanni del FiorentiniWhat a wonderful day and a super way to kick-start our tour of Rome! Go ahead and round up your inner gladiator because tomorrow it's off to Ancient Rome and the Colosseum! ;)
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