Ciao Tutti,
Today was my last day in Roma – a very sad day, I know. I slept in to catch up on sleep as I felt like I may be coming down with something. It worked because now I feel fine!
I left my hotel at 11:15 AM and took the bus to the Vatican Museum as you cannot go to Rome without seeing the Sistine Chapel! I saw the gorgeous view of the Dome atop St. Peter’s Basilica, a few of my favorite statues, the murals of Raphael, and the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel. It is by far my favorite museum in the world!
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Il Vittoriano
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View from the Bus
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Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
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Laocoön and His Sons
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Belvedere Torso
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School of Athens by Rafael
Then, I grabbed gelato at my second favorite gelateria, Old Bridge, and walked across Ponte Sant’Angelo, the bridge that connects the Castel Sant’Angelo with the rest of Rome. After swinging by IES Rome, my school, to say bye, I walked to a restaurant called Cul de Sac which has amazing hand made pesto sauce.
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View of St. Peter’s Basilica from Ponte’Sant Angelo
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Ponte Sant’Angelo
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Castel Sant’Angelo
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Pesto Pasta
Then, I walked through Piazza Navona one last time and grabbed a cafe espresso at my favorite place, Cafe Sant’Eustaccio. Then, I headed towards the Trevi Fountain to throw my coin over my shoulder to guarantee my return to Rome. After that, I went to the Spanish Steps.
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Piazza Navona
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Art vendors in Piazza Navona
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Cafe Sant’Estaucio
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Trevi Fountain
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View from the top of the Spanish Steps
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Spanish Steps
Then, I went back to my hotel to meet the group for our farewell dinner as half of the group ended their tour in Rome. At our dinner, there was a great ambiance and the restaurant even hired an Italian musician to serenade us. Then, we headed to the Spanish Steps to the a proper group photo.
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Some of the guys that are on the tour
After the Spanish Steps, I took a group of friends to Trastevere so they could experience the true Italian nightlife. We even ran into my roommate, Silvio, and his friends including some of the people I met the night before!
We got back to the hotel pretty late and said bye to all of our friends that were ending their tour in Rome. I can’t believe the tour is almost over!
Note: This post was originally published on May 24, 2012 in a blog entitled “Romeing Around Europe…Again” which chronicled my post-graduation trip across Europe.
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