Christmas in Italy

Finally, a well deserved break from school and a much needed visit with my husband. Joe and I traveled to Italy over the holidays, after all, what better place to spend Christmas than in Rome!

Upon our arrival at Fiumicino airport we were greeted by George (one of Joe's best friends from high school - way back when he was 'lord dork') and his children Sofia and Nikos, ages ten and six. They took us to the train station, handed us pre-purchased tickets...and we were off to Florence.

We arrived to Florence after dark and dragged our luggage down the main strip all the while admiring the high fashion shops and stylish people. We approached a magnificent cathedral which was so massive compared to the surrounding buildings that it demanded respect. We later went back to the Duomo and climbed the 460 stone steps to the top of the dome where we enjoyed a spectacular vista of the city.


The next day we admired one of my favorite Renaissance paintings, Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' at the Uffizi Museum, strolled along Ponte Vecchio – Florence’s beautiful bridge full of retailers, climbed a hill up to Piazzale Michelangelo – A magnificent terrace that provides a wonderful vista of Florence and enjoyed our first of many Italian pizzas among other things.

In the evening we strolled the light strung streets, visited night markets and endulged in delicious food and wine. I could not leave Florence before seeing Michelangelo's 'David' so I woke up early the morning of our departure, walked to the museum and sat on a bench for about 20 minutes admiring the seemingly perfect sculpture.

After two days of taking in all the art, architecture, history and culture that Florence has to offer we headed back to Rome. Once again, George graciously picked us up at the train station and drove us to our apartment, home for the next 7 days, which was located in a quiet residential neighborhood mere blocks from the Coliseum.

We celebrated Christmas Eve with George and his family then spent Christmas day walking around town to places such as Trevi Fountian, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. That evening we cooked some pasta primavera coupled with a bottle of wine and called it Christmas in Rome!

The remainder of our stay we spent walking countless miles through meandering streets discovering the hidden treasures of the city. We also saw all the major tourist sites such as St Peter's, the Vatican Museum and Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio.


All in all it was an amazing trip...and we will never forget our Christmas in Europe!

What's next?? Spring Break in Berlin!!!!