When in Rome...

Stuart was king of the selfies in the colosseum

I've always wanted to go to Rome.  Anywhere in Italy really - the food, the culture, the sun - what is there not to like?!  After a wonderful friend's wedding on Saturday in Strathaven, we hopped on an early Ryanair flight from Edinburgh to Rome Ciampino and 4 hours later we were soaking up the Italian sun at the rooftop pool of our hotel.  

Rooftop pool

 It's been a busy few months and we got little sleep the night before and had all intentions of lazing by the pool but after a while we got itchy feet and decided to explore.  Of course, this was always my plan really, I had purposely booked our hotel (Radisson Blu next to Termini station) so that it was in easy reach of the main sights) and had booked tickets online to visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for the afternoon - amazing. Rome really is an open-air museum, with ruins around every modern corner.  In 30+ degree heat we didn't feel too guilty not to be running, even when we were cooling ourselves down with delicious gelato.

Posing outside with my gladiator sandals

In Prague we took a running tour, however, Rome only offered a 3-4 mile running tour that was 50 Euros each.  Like true Scottish folk we opted for the free walking tour instead!  It took us about 30 minutes to walk to our walking tour so we felt we deserved our cappuccinos and chocolate croissants for breakfast.  It was our 7th Anniversary after all, we had to celebrate with some good food!  Disappointingly the Trevi Fountain, is in the process of being renovated so we never seen it in it's true glory.  Legend says that if you throw a penny into the fountain, it will ascertain another trip to Rome.  I didn't want to injure any of the workers with a coin but I'd like to think I'd return to see once again.  The walking tour, starting at the Spanish Steps, took us through the city centre via the various architectural marvels, piazzas, Pantheon and finished at the other side of the Tiber river in the Vatican City at St Peter's Basilica.  We had been walking for hours and was looking forward to a quick visit to the museums and Sistine Chapel.  

Piazza Navone

We were shocked to discover the queues were miles long, with a representative informing us that it would take around 3 1/2 hours to get entry.  Thank goodness I had bought us tickets online or we would've just went for pizza!  The tickets allowed us fast track tickets into the Vatican Museums where we marvelled at all the wonderful works of art all around and at Michelangelo's work of art on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It was simply amazing, however, the crowds were unbelievable and it was hard not to get impatient with scores of people pushing and pulling - worse than the start of MOKRUN ;-).

At the bridge separating Rome and the Vatican

Just some Arty stuff ;-)

Did someone say gelato?

Lemoncelli - down it geachy!

Happy anniversary gleachy's

Food was a big part of our trip and it did not disappoint - coffee, pasta, pizza, paninis, prosecco, tiramasu and gelato - my favourite things.  You will not go hungry in Rome.  Anyone would think we were carbing up for an ultra-marathon!  Instead, I opted for a few 4-5 mile runs nearby the Hotel, through parks and monuments.  Some people think I'm crazy for running whilst I'm on holiday but it's part of my relaxation.  It's not a chore, I love it.  It makes me feel great and always changes my mood if I am ever feeling a little low or tired.  It gives me some alone time to think.  This time, it also gave me some time to purchase an anniversary gift for my husband whilst he snoozed!  Running allows me to get out into the fresh air and see the sights in a different light.  After a while it just seemed natural to dodge nuns and italian suits on the pavements, with the Colosseum and ruins as a backdrop.  Not quite Campbeltown Shipyard!  That being said, I think I'm a bit of a homebird these days - I was looking forward to getting back to my own bed already.  Although that was maybe because my husband had spilled tea all over our Hotel one!

Bring on the italian food!