Italy Day 9 Part 1: St Peter’s Basilica

Unfortunately that is not how happy and cheerful Aly felt this morning. We were up late watching the World Cup and this morning Ally felt really sick. Too sick to eat and too sick head out when we needed to arrive for our timed ticket to St Peter’s Basilica. So Beth and Becky went on ahead, they found out we could come any time before 4pm to our “skip the line” Entry. I stayed with Ally who eventually fell asleep. I woke her after an hour and we headed out to meet up with the others.  

When Becky and Beth arrived the place was deserted. They took these amazing photographs.





Ally knew that seeing this was on my list to do in Rome so she rallied after her nap and enjoyed the Basilica.

It is the largest church in the world, built in the 1500s many popes are buried here.

She gasped when we walked in and immediately started stalking selfies.



In addition to the large central cupola there are several smaller ones, some are round and some are elliptical in shape.

That is a papal guard above in the jester looking costume. Beth told us the uniform was designed by Michelangelo. 

There was a procession of Cardinals while were were inside the cathedral.


All of the paintings on the main cupola/dome ceiling were done by Michelangelo. 

And below is the only piece of art he ever signed. The statue:

Ally took these next 3 pictures they are a little arty for me but I thought it was neat she took some.








It was getting crowded and steamy and we were ready to leave after a nice visit.

Family picture.

Italy Day 8: Exploring Rome

We slept in again this morning, which is lovely while on vacation. But for the record sleeping in is 830am for us! We took a cab to The Spanish Steps, then walked to the Pantheon. Taxi-ed back to the hotel for a break and cool down. Then pizza for lunch at a place Becky found. We walked to the Colosseum. We were so happy we had purchased “skip the line tickets” because there were hundreds of people lined up waiting to get in.  It was amazing to see in person and imagine what it was like in the time of the gladiators. I also think it was the oldest building I’ve been in. It was built in 70-80AD or 1,938 years ago!!!

In front of our hotel waiting for the taxi.

Spanish Steps!

1st handstand of the day.

We made fun of the way Becky poses, so below Beth and Ally show her how to pose.



Love the handstands.



The view from the top was pretty amazing. The white dome in the back is St Peter’s we are going to see that tomorrow morning.

Cute tween selfie

The adult ladies

Becky was complaining about how tight her calves were so we told her to stretch. Just so she didn’t feel bad, Beth did calf raises too. Beth’s were a bit silly.

Next up was the Pantheon

Another delicious lunch:

Becky ordered a “piccolo blonde” ale. 

Zucchini pizza!

Margarita Pizza

Beth was sharing with everyone so she got an empty plate which is pictured with the prosciutto and mushroom pizza.

That would espresso #8 for Beth.

Group shot outside the Colosseum.

We had a timed entrance ticket so while we waited a few minutes Ally did gymnastics poses. 

You know, in front of the oldest sports arena.



Doesn’t everyone bust out the split handstand in front of an ancient sports arena?

This is looking outside the Colosseum towards Palentine Hill.

Family picture.


Ally was starting to overheat. She wasn’t feeling well so we took a break in the shade for a while.

But after a couple breaks she was not feeling much better. She drank a whole bottle of Gatorade and half a bottle of water but she couldn’t bounce back. She gave it a great try. So eventually I said I’d go back with her to the hotel and Becky and Beth continued on to the Forum. Pictures of their adventure below.

Our selfie in the cab!

Well these are Colosseum pictures.



Another view of the Colosseum.

After they got back Beth, Ally and I went out for a quick grocery and shopping trip. Ally got a few shirts at the store next to our hotel- super cheap! And we went to the grocery store for some cereal. It’s all Ally wanted to eat for dinner. Well to be honest she said she wanted pancakes but that seemed hard to find at 6pm in Rome so cereal was the next best thing.


On our way back from the store we stopped for gelato. Turns out the gelato place has pancakes! But by then Ally was happy for cereal for dinner and gelato before dinner.

Then the adults ate at the hotel restaurant out on the roof top terrace and Ally had some alone time in the room. 

After dinner we hung out in our room playing games on phones, blogging for me and watching the World Cup game. We are hoping England wins. It just went into overtime. 

But England lost! It’s late now and we need to get to sleep.