Rome

Rome was excellent. We only had 3 days to experience centuries of history, but we did our best. 

If you have flexibility, choose Not-July for outdoor sightseeing in Rome.  As hot as a Houston summer can be, we had multiple days were Rome was hotter than Texas. We soldiered on, there are so many things that you CAN'T MISS when in Rome.

The Colosseum. Gladiator properly prepared us for the horrors that this place has hosted. We took a guided English tour and learned so much about the history, the hierarchy of participants and the importance of where you got to sit, or where you were forced to stay. We were lucky that the guide was so engaging, he kept the kids interested and told us all about the exceptionally clean, free water that flows through the public fountains all around Rome. This information saved us more than once when we were hot and tired and needed a pickmeup before our daily gelato. 

The food in Rome kept us powering through. We needed gelato to fuel our tours of the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and the city of Rome. Thanks to Gran and Poppa and cousins Luke and Jenn, the best advice was to tour the city of Rome by golf cart. We saw as much as we could see in the shortest time possible, it was the best recommendation!

And the food. Pasta. Pizza. Gelato. Seafood. What's not to love?? We ate it all. 

The unanimous winner for best meal in Rome was this tiny little spot, Tocco Ferro, a place so small it doesn't even have a website. The owner was our server and our chef, and was the happiest bright spot I have ever seen at their place of work. The phyllo dough wrapped shrimp, pesto gnocchi and mushroom pasta special were especially excellent. And their entrance made for a cool photo. 

Rome was incredible. We will be back.