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June 11, 2013

Italy Highlight: Rome!

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If you missed any of the previous Italy vacation adventure recaps, check them out first!

  • Italy Highlight: The Food! (the comments section has a great discussion on healthy eating while on vacation!)
  • That Time When a 4 Mile Run Turned Into a 4 Hour Run
  • Elle & Rob’s Italian Wedding Weekend

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The first pit stop on our Italy adventures was Rome! I’ve been to Rome before but Matt hadn’t, so we decided to spend a few days checking out the sights. Here are some of the highlights in photos!

The Spanish Steps + a beautiful blue sky. The steps were insanely crowded but still pretty.

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The Trevi Fountain – my favorite spot in Rome – again, very crowded but so pretty.

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The Pantheon:

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Walking over to the Colosseum:

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The Colosseum:

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On our last day in Rome, a Sunday, we decided to go check out the Vatican. We had lunch and then arrived at the Vatican in the early afternoon. When we arrived, we were greeted with this sight:

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Um… what the what?! “Jeez,” I said. “I remember the Vatican being crowded last time I was here, but it was nothing like this!”

There were so many people we couldn’t even get anywhere near St. Peter’s or any of the other touristy areas, for that matter. We were so confused. What on earth was going on?!

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We wandered around looking confused for about 20 minutes until we found someone who spoke English. “The Pope is coming!” they said.

Tourist fail. I guess we should have looked online at schedules first. So much for sightseeing at the Vatican! 🙂

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It was wild – apparently it was some big special appearance (not a weekly thing), so there were thousands of people around. It was seriously like being in downtown D.C. on Inauguration Day or the 4th of July or something. Matt and I hung out for awhile waiting but eventually figured out that he wouldn’t be appearing for a few more hours, so we decided to walk over to Castel Sant’Angelo instead.

We had some lovely views along the way!

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There it is!

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Views from the top of the castle:

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Stay tuned – more Italy recaps to come! Next up: Pisa & Lucca, the two towns we stopped in on our drive north to Cinque Terre.

- anne
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40 comments
  • Jane @ Not Plain So Jane
    June 11, 2013 · 12:09PM:
    Something is so special about Rome! I love your leather jacket! I regret not getting one in Italy, expensive but would have lasted forever. I was at the Vatican on Easter, that was insane too!
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 12:32PM:
      Oh man, I bet!
      Reply
  • Suzanne C. June 11, 2013 · 12:10PM:
    Were you there on a Wednesday? When I was in Rome a few years ago, the Pope would do a weekly Wednesday audience. It was like a pep rally for the Pope, people from all parts of the world screaming for the Pope, holding signs! So funny!
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 12:32PM:
      No, a Sunday! Apparently it was a big special appearance so everyone was out for it!
      Reply
  • Elizabeth
    June 11, 2013 · 12:13PM:
    Ah! Your photos brought back so many memories. I was an exchange student in Rome in high school and passed by many of these places going to and from school. I think a return trip soon is a must! xo
    Reply
  • Lindsay June 11, 2013 · 12:14PM:
    The Pope gives a weekly address on Sundays from the balcony in St. Peter's. That looks a little more crowded than I rememer, but I wasn't there in the height of tourist season like you, with a very new pope! That being said, it's never a good idea to arrive in St. Peter's square in the middle of a Sunday! Definitely arrive earlier rather than later, if possible, especially considering that St. Peter's is still a functioning church and holds extra mass times within the basilica on Sundays.
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 12:31PM:
      Yes, live and learn! Apparently it was a special appearance - not a standard weekly thing. That's why it was so crazy crowded!
      Reply
  • Jackie
    June 11, 2013 · 12:18PM:
    Amazing pictures!!
    Reply
  • Emily @ Life on Food
    June 11, 2013 · 12:50PM:
    That blue sky is amazing. I was so amazed about the ruins in Rome. So, so old. Hard to wrap my mind around.
    Reply
  • Pat Elsberry June 11, 2013 · 1:11PM:
    The pictures are amazing, as always!! You really take the best photos!! :) We are heading back to Italy in October and struggling with one thing - driving while there. What was your experience?
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 1:36PM:
      It was an adventure - if you want to check out smaller towns and the countryside and have more flexibility, a car was nice. But if you're sticking to main cities, you won't want it. It was a big pain in Rome and Florence.
      Reply
  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
    June 11, 2013 · 1:44PM:
    Rome is one of my favorite places I've ever visited. There's beauty everywhere you turn! Great photos. Looks like you got lots of sunny skies.
    Reply
  • Angela
    June 11, 2013 · 1:47PM:
    I just love Italy!! So many great memories from my own trip there looking at your photos!
    Reply
  • Shel@PeachyPalate
    June 11, 2013 · 1:53PM:
    Amazing pics! Looks like you got some gorgeous weather!
    Reply
  • Renie June 11, 2013 · 2:08PM:
    Beautiful, Anne. My dream is to visit the Vatican. Thanks for sharing
    Reply
  • Liz @ The Girl on Fire Now
    June 11, 2013 · 2:42PM:
    Wow! Everything looked so awesome! How was the weather?
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 4:28PM:
      Nice, in the 70s and low 80s!
      Reply
  • LM June 11, 2013 · 2:49PM:
    These photos are amazing! What camera did you use? They're super crisp & vibrant.
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 4:28PM:
      I used my Canon DSLR with the standard kit lens - there's a link to the specific one on my FAQ page! http://www.fannetasticfood.com/faq/
      Reply
  • Suzanne
    June 11, 2013 · 3:03PM:
    Ah Roma!! It is such a beautiful city with so much history. Are there still tons of stray kitties hanging around the colessium?
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 4:27PM:
      I didn't see many, no!
      Reply
  • Bamscat June 11, 2013 · 3:03PM:
    Superb photos, as always. Thanks for sharing. Brought back great memories. The Pantheon is my favorite building in Europe.
    Reply
  • Victoria @ Reluctantly Skinny
    June 11, 2013 · 4:13PM:
    Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! We almost booked Italy for our honeymoon...definitely want to get over there soon!
    Reply
  • Lauren @ The Highlands Life
    June 11, 2013 · 4:13PM:
    Isn't Rome beautiful? Not related to Rome but when I visited the UK, they cleared the streets and we were able to see the Queen drive by. It was the coolest. Hate y'all didn't get to see the pope in person.
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 4:27PM:
      Well, when we came back after Castel Sant'Angelo we could see him on the steps of St. Peters, but he was like an ant. :) He was up on the big screens, though!
      Reply
  • Rebecca June 11, 2013 · 4:24PM:
    Just joined the 21st century and got my first smartphone....I wanted to download some good healthy eating / recipes / food apps. Any suggestions?
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 11, 2013 · 4:26PM:
      I actually don't really know many! Maybe others will have some ideas? Anyone?
      Reply
  • Olivia @ Liv Lives Life
    June 11, 2013 · 7:14PM:
    You take such gorgeous photos! Wow. The Vatican looks crazy. I wonder what it would have been like to be there on the day the new pope was announced! And I love your shirt! Where did you get it??
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 12, 2013 · 9:51AM:
      Thanks! It's from Nordstrom but at least a couple years ago!
      Reply
  • Nicole
    June 11, 2013 · 8:33PM:
    Great pics! Roma is such a wonderful place to visit and explore.
    Reply
  • Mom June 11, 2013 · 10:20PM:
    Che bellezza!
    Reply
  • Anel Perez June 11, 2013 · 10:46PM:
    Great pictures! So much to see!! That's a whole lot of people there!
    Reply
  • Paula C. Wilkes
    June 12, 2013 · 4:15AM:
    Oh the wonderful Italy! I like all your photos in this blog. Is there a restaurant which you can recommend if I visit Rome?Thanks
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 12, 2013 · 9:54AM:
      For restaurant recs, check out the comments on this post - lots of great ideas! http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2013/05/16/free-outdoor-dupont-circle-yoga-sushi-italy-bound/
      Reply
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
    June 12, 2013 · 4:25AM:
    When I did Rome they were fixing the colleseum up on the inside so you could only see the outside. I went years ago but seeing your Italy recaps makes me want to go back and do so much more :)
    Reply
  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action
    June 12, 2013 · 9:02AM:
    Wow- your pictures are beautiful!! Rome is definitely on my list of places to go and visit! Especially after seeing your pictures!
    Reply
  • Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life
    June 12, 2013 · 9:28AM:
    Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous trip! It is my dream to visit Italy and your pictures are making me more and more antsy to go! :)
    Reply
  • Ja @Ja on the RUN
    June 12, 2013 · 10:28AM:
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics. Hubby and I are off to Italy too next month. Both our first times soooo excited! :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      June 12, 2013 · 12:14PM:
      You will love it! :)
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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