Rome

When Tom & Karin offered to stay with the kids while they were here visiting, J and I jumped on the chance to go to Rome to visit the new temple and take my first trip to Italy.

We started at a castle overlooking Bracciano Lake:

The next day we went to Tivoli Gardens:

And the ruins of Hadrian's Villa:

Then the temple:

Our third day was an early morning start at the Vatican Museum, then a visit to the Borghese Gallery (where we couldn't take pictures, but the Bernini sculptures are amazing!)

This is Raphael's "School of Athens":

 Outside St. Peter's on Wednesday when the Pope comes out to speak:

 St. Peter's Basilica blew me away. It is huge!

The canopy over the altar, also done by Bernini:

A view from the top of the dome:

On the roof:

The Vatican's Swiss Guards:

Our last day we visited Ostia Antica, the old Roman port. I couldn't believe how well preserved this tavern was:

A view of the Ostia Antica ruins:

We loved the food and were so happy we stayed at an AirB&B where the hostess gave us recommendations for her favorite places that got us off the tourist track. This was our last meal on the cutest back street:

Our last gelato run (of which there were many during our 4-day visit):