Happy, happy Thursday, friends!
Here’s the good news, after today, I only have one more vacation recap for you. #yourewelcome 😉
It was a long and very FULL vacation, so my recaps are a bit out of control, but I am pressing on and today, I’m sharing our VERY full and fabulous day in ROME!!
But first, if you missed the other vacation posts from this trip, catch them below:
PART ONE: BARCELONA
PART TWO: BOARDING THE BEYOND & PROVENCE
PART THREE: MONTE CARLO
PART FOUR: PORTOFINO
PART FIVE: CINQUE TERRE
PART SIX: CORSCIA
Okay, we covered a lot of ground on this day, and I think I have approximately 450 photos and videos, so I trimmmmmed them down to these right here, but it certainly doesn’t capture everything. If you were here, I would hand you my phone and let you scroll away, but I’m trying to hit the highlights on today’s blog post.
Two very important things to note:
1: The best money we spent was on our private car! It was super roomy, had air conditioning and our fabulous driver could drop us off right where we needed to be and then be right there when we were done to take us to the next spot. This saved us SO MUCH TIME and allowed us to see much more of Rome than our time allotted. Our driver and our guide were both so integral in our family having the best day in Rome. We saw and learned SO MUCH!!! This was the kids’ first time in Rome and though it certainly didn’t do it justice (one must stay in Rome to truly experience it!), it certainly helped. Let’s get back to that air conditioned vehicle part, this was super important because…
2: IT WAS SO FREAKING HOT. Good golly! It was H-O-T in Rome. I mean, I knew it would be hot (I’ve been there several times in July), but it was like brutally hot. You will see us sweating profusely in just about every picture. It was just hot. Hot. Hot. It was hot. That’s all. I just wanted to let you know that it was hot.
Here we go, our ship arrived that morning at the port in Civitavecchia and our driver was there early waiting for us to hop off and into his van. The ride into Rome took about 90 minutes, so we had to start our day early to maximize our town. When we arrived, the first place we went was to…
…Vatican City where we met our tour guide who had already pre-purchased every ticket we needed for the day. She was SO knowledgeable and had even grown up right there in Vatican City (the smallest country in the world…and if you missed it before, we had just come from the second smallest country in the world), so we were so happy to have her along. I learned more this time around at the Vatican than I had in all of my other trips. She brought maps with her, photographs, detailed information…she was engaging, informative and super sweet.
Let’s do this, Vatican City!
Any time I could take photos (some rooms did not allow them), I did. You’re all very welcome that I’m not posting them all 😉 .
It was approximately 4 million degrees outside but nice and cool in most places inside.
Anyone else always think of Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting when they go to the Sistine Chapel? I love that movie, and he has so many great lines, but that line about the Sistine Chapel is one I think about often.
You know you’re a mom of three girls around this age when after leaving the Sistine Chapel, they’re all arguing about which one of them gets to name their daughter Sistine.
Also please note, in certain areas of the Vatican, your shoulders have to be covered and you need a skirt/longer pants on. Our guide pointed out that they were being suuuuper relaxed about it due to the heat, but we had come prepared and both Kensington and I wore skirts and then brought sweaters/a scarf to cover our shoulders in those specified rooms. We changed back into our shorts in the van after we left.
Onward we go…
Ashby loves to learn. I love that about her. She loves to ask questions and truly, truly wants to know the answers.
Ashby’s face here was not ready for the “cheese”…either that or she was hot because you know, it was approximately 4 million degrees outside.
So sweaty. So funny. She’s posing like one of the statues.
Love these guys.
Next stop…
…the Pantheon.
It was certainly crowded! I’m super glad we had tickets in advance for everything.
But first…
…gelato.
Happy faces.
Next up…
…those Spanish Steps 🙂 .
I should rent her out for your next vacation. She’s pint-sized entertainment 24/7.
Little Miss Joy!
After the steps, we headed over to…
…Trevi Fountain!
Water not sweat…I think. Honestly, it could be sweat.
After the fountain, it was time for…
…LUNCH! Our guide knew in advance that we would love a gluten-free restaurant to stop and rest for a minute, so she had reservations for us here at Vivi Bistrot. It was DELICIOUS!!!!
I think I could eat Italian food every day for the rest of my life.
After our delicious lunch…
…followed by some time in Piazza Navona.
We had tickets to wrap up our time in Rome at…
…this little place here.
Maybe you’ve heard of it? It’s called the Colosseum. It’s kind of famous 😉 .
We learned allllll the things. Again, I’ve been multiple times, but after this trip, I understand exponentially more.
It’s like a bar joke…six sweaty Americans walk into the Colosseum…
It was a FABULOUS day! We had to head back to the ship around 3:00…
…and when we arrived, they handed us soaking wet cold towels and water. It was much appreciated.
After some looooong cold showers and lots of scrubbing…
…we reemerged clean people ready for dinner and fun on our ship.
And ended our night with a silent disco. It was such a blast.
And that my friends, was Rome in a day.
Don’t forget, if you want to go to Rome. Or on a cruise. Or to Mexico. Japan. Australia. Iceland. Walt Disney World. Pretty much anywhere outside of the Continental US (with the exception of Disney World!), we can help get you there! Reach out to MY TRAVEL AGENCY today.
See you girls tomorrow! xx
Elspeth says
I’ve been two Rome twice and loved every moment of it! I can’t believe you did it in a day!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erika Slaughter says
Ahhh!!! Rome is gorgeous-even in the hot hot sun! 😉
Angela Ellingson says
Just incredible!!
MelanieL says
Rome in a day…love it!!
Claudia says
Climate change is no joke! How terrible it was to see so much of Europe literally on fire this year. Here’s to our world hopefully seeing some much-needed changes very soon, so that summer vacations in such special places like this don’t end up becoming totally unbearable. As they say, “there is no planet B!”
hayley beck says
Seriously no joke at all! Here in Texas even we’re feeling the effects so strongly – my kiddos have heat rashes like never before and it’s HOT! Let’s hope we can bring about some change soon 🙂
Becky says
Love the vacation posts! I hope the last one is alllllll about the ship!!!!! We want to hear about it!!
Melinda says
Rome was amazing! I was so disappointed when we pulled up to the outside of the Vatican, but the inside is fabulous!!! I loved St. Peter’s Basilica also. The Coliseum was amazing! The fact that something was built so long ago is still standing is fascinating!! Thanks for sharing your pictures.
Alexandra S. says
The amount of things you all have seen, done, and eaten on this trip!!!! If this isn’t convincing everyone to use your travel agency for a trip like this, nothing will! I want to take this exact vacation! I’ve LOVED these recaps!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well isn’t that so sweet! THANK YOU!!!
Emily Scott says
How do you find your private tour guides? We’ve had great luck using ‘Tours by Locals’ in various cities, but would love to have other ideas.
Mix and Match Mama says
For years, my agency has been collecting information based on our own travels and that of our clients. We always love when we can use a personal recommendation for our guides and tours!
Keisha Dawson says
Thank you so much for sharing all about your vacation! I love that you broke it down into daily posts!
Tabitha says
Don’t apologize! I love reading your vacation recaps.
Victoria Mcbrown says
Ah I loved seeing this and thoroughly enjoyed your post!! The colosseum was where my darling husband proposed!! He likened marriage to fighting to the death….?!?
Glad you had a great trip!
Sheaffer says
WOW! Beautiful pictures. And I could literally FEEL the heat!
rachael says
This is kind of a random question, but I don’t know the custom or protocol and it would make me anxious…. lol. When you stop for gelato, or lunch, or a drink and you have a guide….do you include the guide, pay for them, offer to include them, etc? I would be anxious that I would not know what to do and I wouldn’t want to offend…
Also, I love your travel recaps. I can travel vicariously thru you and I appreciate that. I also appreciate your honesty when you are describing your trip. Thank you!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I think that’s a great question! We always offer to buy them water/gelato/lunch/coffee, and I would say half the time they accept and half the time they don’t (even one guide might like water one time but skip gelato the next time we offer). We always offer, and then we always give them extra gratuity at the end too.
Blaire says
Wow looks like a great time! Question does the vatican clothing rule apply to everyone or only a certain age and up? Also in the future do you think you will be planning trips for customers inside the US too?
Mix and Match Mama says
We had clothes in the van for everyone but our guide said really just K and I needed to worry about covering our knees and shoulders, so we left everyone else’s items in the van.
Carol says
What type of cabin accommodations did you have…adjoining rooms..a suite?
Such a fun looking trip!
Mix and Match Mama says
We had two side by side suites on the ship!
AliJ. says
Oh my Mades is a hoot! You could make a lot of $$ renting her out for vacation entertainment.
I loved the whole blog series about the cruise – thank you for sharing!
Alison says
Mades should probably patent her signature photo pose. 😂
Jennifer Vance says
Rome is on my Bucket List – curious, as a Catholic, would your travel agency be able to arrange for daily audiences with the Pope and Masses, etc.? Your trips always seem so seamless and “planned”, I would love to utilize your services!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am sure we could find a guide/tour that could accommodate you!
Shannon says
Thanks we plan on going next summer. Looking forward to all your help!
Kristine says
This whole vacation has looked amazing. Not a big boat person but might be willing to try it to see all these beautiful places. We were down south at the same time and the heat was terrible my teenagers were whining. I need to know your trick on how you kept your kiddos smiling in that heat. Are they just accustomed to the Texas heat so they rally better?
Mix and Match Mama says
All the gelato. All the cokes. All the things they don’t normally get. When they started to get tired/hot/agitated, we would stop, grab a snack/drink and sit down a bit. They always rallied. They’re great little travelers too 🙂 .
Michele says
Wow, you guys certainly handled that heat better than I could without getting cranky & wanting to stop. Can’t believe none of you wore a hat, visor, to help keep the sun from pounding down on you.
Pamela Kennedy says
I was just curious about the weather? Baa haa!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh did I forget to mention it was hot? Sorry about that! Yes. It was a tad warm. 😉
Pamela Kennedy says
I have always wanted to visit Rome. It sounds like it was absolutely worth the heat! So glad you had such a wonderful time.