Rome: Recap, last few days

Some last few pictures from our trip. Ken had the last day free so we finished up the touristy sights. We took a guided tour of the Vatican which was really, really interesting. We saw the Sistine Chapel (amazing. absolutely amazing) and St. Peter's Basilica.

Ken and I at St. Peter's. The entire church (artwork and all) is done in mosaic, so it would last forever. They also have engraved in the floor the length of all other basilicas/cathedrals just so they have proof that St. Peter's is the largest.

The view up at the dome - incredible.
A few shots in doors at the Vatican. They had some of the most beautiful mosaics patterned after persian rugs.
There is so much art collected by the various popes that it was literally stacked on top of each other for halls and halls and halls. I especially loved the roman statues.

We took another quick walk so I could show Ken the Roman Forum and then we wandered aroiund the Colosseum. Another simply incredible structure. It used to be covered with marble, but the marble was "recycled" and turned into much of the marble at St. Peter's.

Ken cheering on the gladiators at the Colosseum:


Ken and I at the Roman Forum
Then we finished off the day with dinner (more gnocchi for me!) at a great restaurant just around the corner from our hotel and a stop and our favorite gelato place. We literally went there every day. Note my Italian souvenier - black leather boots.

We then got back on a plane and headed home to our happy and tired children.