Our journey started at Logan Airport the day before my 30th birthday. It was the 22nd of May when my husband and I boarded the plane. We reached Rome in the morning next day. Then we took a cab to our hotel, took a quick shower and left for The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. It was a good idea to book the tickets online prior to arriving. We were jet lagged but it did not stop us from gazing at the strikingly gorgeous Medieval art. After that we ate at a famous pizza place known as ‘Pizzarium‘ (suggested by my Lonely Planet guide book). We stopped in and took a train back to the hotel. Believe it or not but the public transportation is not so bad in Rome.
The next day we started our day relatively late. We had our (complimentary) breakfast at the hotel and left for the city. We started at St. Giovanni’s Basilica and ended at Spanish Steps. It was quite a walk but when you see Ancient Roman ruins you forget about the tiredness and keep going. In middle of the day we stopped at Campo de’ Fiori. This is the famous marketplace of Rome where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables. Initially we decided to eat at Forno di Campo de’ Fiori, but it was not open on Sunday so we ate at another pizza place next to it. After that, we saw Altar of the Fatherland, The Pantheon, The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and gelato in between. BTW, there is trick to find the best gelato place – look for the color of pistachio. If it’s bright green it’s not good–run away. Then we decided to eat at Palatium which was also closed on Sunday. We looked for another restaurant in my Lonely Planet guide and went a half a mile to find out that it was also closed! We were tired and hungry but finally found an amazing restaurant called The Truffle Lounge. The food was a bit pricey but what do you expect when you order food covered in truffle (the mushroom kind, not the chocolate). I had never eaten such a creamy and tasty truffle risotto. My husband chose the Beef Plate and we shared an antipasti. It was so delicious that it made our trip to Rome worthwhile!
The next day we took the subway to Vatican City at 6:45 in the early morning to see St. Peter’s Basilica. It was a breathtaking view. The morning lights were coming through the top of the stain glass windows like a ray of hope. We finished by 8:30 am and went back to hotel to take some rest before leaving for Pisa.
My husband booked the super fast train to Pisa, which Tren Italia changed to a local but whatever happens, happen for a good reason. It was quite a scenic route around the coast of Tyrrhenian Sea with gorgeous blue water next to a green coastline and blue sky.
Pisa
Not many people go to Pisa which may be one of the best reasons to visit. It is a hidden pearl in the heart of Tuscany! Most people think of it as the Italian city with that leaning tower but it is much more! We got a reservation in a beautiful resort where we had a view of the sunrise over the Tuscan Mountains from our room. The place was so beautiful we repented for not staying the week. It’s a perfect place if you want to calm your soul. We bought some authentic Italian spices and pasta from a local store. The pretty store owner claimed that it was made by her uncle. Then we checked out the leaning tower and clicked a couple of shots before heading out to Florence (Firenze).
Stunning pictures !!! It really feels fantastic to see these places !!!
What beautiful architecture and you have captured it so beautifully Dol loved it!!!
Beautiful pics Dolphia..Makes me plan a trip to Italy 🙂
You should!
I really wish I could carry my full-frame camera there!
The places were stunningly amazing!
Beautiful photos Dolphia!
Thank you 🙂
I love Italy for it’s beautiful architecture! Want to visit some time, and your clicks are just stunning dear. Love it!
Thanks darling!
Enjoyed reading about your travelogue… Part1. How amazing! The little tip about gelato… I look out that here too. I absolutely loved the photos. Stunning! Thanks for sharing this Dolphia.
Thanks a lot dear!
Gorgeous gorgeous images!! Sigh!! Isn’t Itlay so beautiful. Loved reading your travel journal. Looking forward to more.
You’re absolutely right. I feel like I have not done justice to the photographs! I wish I could go back again and stay there for a month 🙂
Wonderful,
. I was in Tuscany last spring and I visited Chianti, Siena, Florence and San Gimigano.
We stayed in a farmhouse in Colle Val di Elsa with pool and a beautiful garden
The farmhouse’s name was Pieve di San Martino.The apartments are clean and well and tastefully furnished.From the terrace you can enjoy a wonderful landscape in Chianti.
I am planning to visit Italy for a longer time, next time I go there.