Celebrating Our Three Year Anniversary in Italy
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In May 2019, Zack and I celebrated our three year anniversary in Italy and England. I have never shared anything from our trip before, but it was time to dive into all the photos!
I never took my DSLR on the trip with us and only relied on my new iPhone during the trip. These are the first photos on my camera roll to this day.
Arrive in Rome
We departed DFW on May 23, 2019 and arrived in Rome, Italy at 7 a.m. May 24. The thing about international travel is that it’s always so exhausting to “begin” your first day after a long flight.
We got on the Leonardo Express train from the Fiumicino airpot to the Rome Termini. Our hotel was walkable with our luggage. Our room wasn’t ready to checkin, but we could leave our luggage until 1 p.m.
Italy Photo Dump
It was maybe 9 a.m. at this point, so we had a few hours to walk around. One of our bucket list visits is to see the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini in the Cornaro Chapel of the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria.
We also walked by the Fontana del Tritone by Bernini.
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
We stopped for Pizza on our walk back to the hotel at Pizzeria Del Secolo.
Canada Hotel
It was so warm inside the room in May that we had to ask for a fan.
1 p.m. Check-in Canada Hotel
https://www.hotelcanadaroma.com/en/
Hotel Canada S.r.l.
Via Vicenza 58 – 00185 – Roma (RM) – Italia
VAT: 03945131005
Buy 48 Hour Metro/Bus Ticket & Validate
Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel
We pre-purchased tickets for all of our tours. I like to plan my days out so I can maximize what I want to see versus just strolling the rest of the day. This was the best day/time for us to see the Vatican. I positioned it at 2:30 p.m. so we had time to checkin to the hotel, eat, and head over to our tour.
Pomodoro’s Sphere within a Sphere:
The Fontana della Pigna or simply Pigna. Yes, there is a 4 meter pine cone within the Vatican city.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica, located in Vatican City, Italy, is an architectural marvel and a symbol of religious significance that has captured the hearts and minds of millions of people worldwide. The construction of this magnificent basilica began in 1506 under the guidance of renowned architects like Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, each leaving their indelible mark on the structure.
The basilica’s location holds profound religious importance as it is believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, the first Pope and one of Jesus Christ’s apostles. As a result, the church was intended to be a fitting tribute to the glory of God and the majesty of the Roman Catholic Church.
Castle Sant’Angelo
Castle Sant’Angelo, also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, is a historic fortress and monument located in Rome, Italy. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, with a rich history that spans nearly two millennia. The castle has served various purposes throughout the centuries, including as a mausoleum, a fortress, a papal residence, and a museum, making it a symbol of Rome’s enduring legacy.
The construction of Castle Sant’Angelo was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 135 as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The circular structure, standing 89 meters tall, was an architectural marvel of its time and served as the final resting place of several Roman emperors.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of the most charming and picturesque squares in Rome, Italy. Steeped in history and adorned with magnificent Baroque architecture, the square is a vibrant hub of activity and a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Originally built as the Stadium of Domitian in the 1st century AD, Piazza Navona retains the shape of the ancient stadium, making it one of the rare examples of a Roman circus still visible today. Over the centuries, the square underwent various transformations, and during the Baroque period, it became the epitome of Roman grandeur and artistic expression.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the most extraordinary architectural wonders in Rome, Italy, and stands as a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of ancient Roman civilization. Originally built as a temple, it is now a Christian church and a symbol of the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, a Roman statesman and military general, during the reign of Augustus in 27 BC, the Pantheon was initially constructed as a temple dedicated to the pagan gods of ancient Rome. However, the current structure standing today is not the original temple. It was rebuilt and completed by Emperor Hadrian in around 126 AD after the original building suffered damage due to fire.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is a dazzling Baroque masterpiece and one of the most famous and enchanting landmarks in Rome, Italy. Located in the Trevi district, the fountain is a symbol of grandeur, romance, and wishes, captivating visitors with its majestic design and rich history.
Construction of the Trevi Fountain began in 1732, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi, and completed in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini. The fountain was built at the terminus of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which has been supplying water to Rome since ancient times. The theme of the fountain revolves around the sea, represented by Neptune’s chariot, led by Tritons and sea creatures, surrounded by allegorical figures.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps, known as “Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti” in Italian, is a famous and iconic landmark located in Rome, Italy. It is one of the most popular gathering spots in the city, attracting tourists and locals alike with its grand design and lively atmosphere.
The Spanish Steps were designed by the Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis and were constructed between 1723 and 1725. The steps connect the Piazza di Spagna at the base to the Trinità dei Monti church at the top, creating a stunning stairway adorned with elegant curves and decorative elements.
Dinner at Ristaurante Alessio
Saturday, May 25
The second morning in Rome we had tickets for a tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Circus Massimo.
Food options: Grazia & Graziella, Ristorante Aroma, Ristorante Arlù
Landmarks: Pincio Promenade/Ponte Umberto I (bridge)
Sunday, May 26
7 – 10:30 a.m. Breakfast
11 a.m. check-out Canada Hotel
1:53 p.m. Train – ES – Rome to Naples (Arrive 3:05 p.m.)
Rome Termini > Naples Centrale
TI DIRECT – DOMESTIC LONG DISTANCE #9591
12 p.m. Check-in B&B Napoli Suite
NAPOLI SUITE
CORSO UMBERTO 284, 80138 NAPOLI, ITALY
TEL.: +39 081 5543271
https://www.napolisuite.com/
Sight-seeing: Galleria Umberto I
Pizza: L’Antica Pizzeria “da Michele” open 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
From hotel:
Naples City Centre
Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi – ruins
San Lorenzo Maggiore – art-filled cathedral
6 p.m. Tickets – Naples Underground Tour
9 p.m. Dinner
Monday, May 27
8 a.m. Tickets – Amalfi Coast & Pompeii tour – 8 hours
PIckup: Hotel Una in Piazza Garibaldi 9/10 at 08.05am
Tuesday, May 28
11 a.m. check-out B&B Napoli Suite
9:45 a.m. Train – TRN – Naples to Venice (arrive at 9:15 a.m.)
Napoli Centrale > Venezia San Lucia
NTV DIRECT connection (Italo Train) #8962
3 p.m. Vaporetto on Line 1 to the Ca’ d’Oro stop
2 p.m. Check-in Ca’ Sagredo Hotel
Campo Santa Sofia
4198/99, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
+39 041 241 3111
4 p.m. Gondola ride (if time)
6 p.m. Tickets – Venice Walking Tour by Night: Aperitif and Legends
9/10 p.m. Dinner (any restaurant)
Wednesday, May 29
10:30 a.m. Check-in for flights
11 a.m. Tickets – Murano and Burano Islands Half Day Tour (4.5 hours)
3:30 p.m.
Drinks – Harry’s Bar (bellini)
Book store: Libreria Acqua Alta
Doges’ Palace
Campanile di San Marco – 8 Euro http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/informazioni-per-i-turisti/orari-di-apertura/?lang=en
7 p.m. Dinner at hotel – need to schedule reservations when we get there
Thursday, May 30
12 p.m. Check-out Ca’ Sagredo Hotel
60 minutes Alilaguna Linea Blu – Go to Fondamente Nove (F. TE Nove stop for ticket desk) stop (6:32, 7:02, 7:32) $15 EU
10:30 a.m. Flight to London (2h15m) (arrive at airport 8:30 a.m.)
British Airways Flight 2583
2 p.m. Check-in Novotel London Tower Bridge
10 Pepys St, London EC3N 2NR, UK
+44 20 7660 0675
https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-3107-novotel-london-tower-bridge/index.shtml
1 p.m. Gatwick Express Train to Victoria Station (tickets printed or in app)
Take tube from Victoria Station to Tower Hill about 17 min (Oyster Card)
4 p.m. Camden Market https://www.camdenmarket.com/visit-us
Dinner Holly Bush Pub https://www.hollybushhampstead.co.uk
Oblix at the Shard https://www.oblixrestaurant.com/
Friday, May 31
10 a.m. Tickets – Harry Potter Walking tour w/boat ride (2.5 hours)
1:15 p.m. Afternoon Tea – Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe
Things to See
https://goo.gl/maps/Enj48Asa6scghsF79
Piccadilly Circus
Westminster Abbey
Harrods (shopping and food)
British Museum
Hyde Park
Abbey Road
Buckingham Palace
Tower Bridge
Tower of London
Food – Maltby Street Market
Leadenhall Market
Saturday, June 1
12 p.m. Check-out Novotel London Tower Bridge (anytime checkout)
4:15 a.m. Tube (every 10 minutes) from Bank Station to Lancaster Gate (33 minutes)
4:50 a.m. Padding Station (Heathrow Express every 15 minutes) to LHR – London Heathrow Airport (33 minutes)
8:40 a.m. Depart London (arrive 5:40 a.m.)
American Flight 51
12:50 p.m. Arrive in DFW
XOXO,
Katie
You can explore more beautiful Europe photos here and more Rome features here, and all the places in Italy here.
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