Our Italy trip was an absolute dream come true!! Whenever anyone asked where my dream vacation was, I would say Italy! It all started when I was in college at BYU, probably about 8 or 9 years ago. We had a Relief Society activity where a few of the ladies talked about where they had served their missions. One of them had served in Italy. I don't even remember where, specifically, but I fell in love instantly! I decided right there that one day I would go to Italy! When Joe and Annette asked us if we wanted to join them on the trip I knew we would do whatever it took to make it happen!
We made it in to the Rome airport and got our luggage and quickly caught a taxi to take us in to town to our hotel. I was so excited to finally be in Europe!! I felt like I was in a completely different world! We got to our hotel which was in the center of Rome. The hotel was absolutely beautiful. It was a smaller hotel with only 5 rooms, so we had the whole place to ourselves. We got unpacked and then waited for our friends to join us. We were travelling with some family friends of the Jarvises, the Fuhr's. We were so lucky to be travelling with them. They are from Germany and had been to Italy many times. Karl-Michael basically planned the entire thing which was wonderful!
Once they got to the hotel we hit the ground running and didn't stop for the rest of the day! Our hotel was right around the corner from the Spanish steps. This was probably the least crowded that we ever saw the steps. Apparently they used to allow you to picnic on the steps, but now you aren't allowed to do that.
They had this fountain in front of them. Everyone was filling up their water bottles and drinking out of it. That seemed really weird to me. We asked Karl-Michael if that was safe to drink and he said that he wouldn't do it! But I noticed throughout the city that people were always drinking out of the fountains. Yuck.
We then walked over to the Italian Parliament building. Outside of the building was the beautiful Trajan's Column. The details were amazing. It is a Roman triumphal column.
We then had our very first taste of Italian Gelato!! 
It was amazing!! They had so many flavors to choose from and they were all delicious. So creamy and thick! YUM!
We then went to the Pantheon. It is a temple that was built for all of the Roman Gods. It was so amazing to me to see these ancient buildings. Never having traveled to Europe before, I have never seen anything so old!! It's just remarkable to me to think that this building has been around for almost 2,000 years! 
This "sky light" in the dome is the only light source in the entire building.
This was the backside of the Pantheon. I love that the street sign next to it is "Hot Pizza." What a great street to live on!
We then went to a church. I don't remember the name of this one, but it was beautiful inside. The ceiling and stained glass were my favorite.
I thought this was a little different to have a scull in the church!
I loved this statue outside of the church. Unfortunately the scaffolding was covering up the awesome elephant underneath!
It was fun to just turn the corner and have these ancient columns still standing.
We then went to the Trevi Fountain. This is probably the most famous fountain in Rome. It is huge and absolutely beautiful. Legend has it that anyone that throws a coin in the fountain over their back will ensure their return to Rome. Apparently the fountain is owned by a Tuscan Prince and over 6 million Euro is thrown in to the fountain each year.
I will definitely be returning to Rome! 
Around the corner from our hotel is the oldest cafe in Rome. We never ate there, but I'm sure the food is great!
I was excited for our first dinner in Rome! Here is the whole group that we were with.
Caprese salad quickly became everyone's favorite. I don't eat tomatoes, so I never got it, but the fresh mozzarella was delicious!
This was one of my favorite things we had. It was pear slices with parmesan cheese and a little bit of balsamic. Delicious! 
My first pasta in Italy! Amazing!
This chocolate molten cake was to die for!
What an amazing first day! So far I was loving Italy and having a great time. We were completely exhausted but very full and happy! 
4 comments:
Looks like an AWESOME trip! So happy you were able to take it. I think Giolitti's and the Pantheon are my two favorite places in Rome! I'm so jealous that you had some of their gelato lately- I would fly there just for the pear gelato if I could!
What a great way to remember our trip. Thanks very much for taking the time to put this up on your blog.
The Pantheon is definitely top of my list for sites in Rome. We stayed in a B&B near it, and it was such a fun and beautiful atmosphere at night. But I guess all of Rome is like that at night. Gelatto? A MUST. We ate it every day in Italy, one day we even ate it twice!
Isn't it crazy how old everything in Europe is?
I'm so jealous of the gelato!!
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