Easter Sunday in Ancient Rome

Yes, the Easter Bunny came, but we still decided to head out early for some breakfast.  Given it was Easter, our preferred spot was just opening.  Realizing they wouldn't be ready for us in a "New York minute" we went to a place next door, and had a nice "sit down" breakfast - to Howard's dismay, this similar breakfast to what we had yesterday was a fortune since we chose to "sit"!   But it was good.  Howard and I each had two cappuccinos, which was the equivalent of 1/4 cup of coffee.  For the kids, a nutritious chocolate croissant with a cup of hot chocolate.  The breakfast of champions!

We met our tour guide for Ancient Rome bright and early at the Colosseum (that's not her, that's a gladiator). 

She did an incredible job of describing the life of the ancient Romans, who believed in providing all citizens with bread and entertainment to keep everyone happy (and to ensure votes!) Jessica also did a great job of taking pictures (see below).

  Next was the Forum where our guide walked us through incredible ruins that depicted a society where gathering, socializing, politicizing and trading were daily events...not to mention, celebrating a triumph or two..or three.. 

A highlight was learning how to use the Roman water fountain.  It looks like a faucet, but when you plug the mouth with your finger, the water is forced out of a smaller hole in the top of the neck of the faucet producing a drinking fountain - brilliant!  and fun.

After the 3 hour tour of Ancient Rome, we were ready for a cozy lunch at (okay, where is Howard?...)

(Howard takes over)  Lunch was at Taverna dei Fori Imperiali, in our food guide's neighborhood.  Being Easter Sunday, they had a special menu (you know how I 'love' those), but it was actually very good.  A bottle of Montepulciano, pasta, veal chops with truffle cheese, and lamb, and complimentary drinks afterwards (grappa and limoncello) rounded out a nice Easter lunch.


On our way to find a taxi home, we got Gelato and detoured past the church of St. Peter in Chains, where we viewed not only the chains that were said to bind St. Peter, but also a sculpture of Moses by Michaelangelo (so yes, I was in church on Easter...) 

Finally, after a long, full day of exploring, we headed back to the apartment to take a quick nap and get ready for dinner.

Dinner was in a converted warehouse on the outside of town, that specialized in pizza!  There was Roman (thin crust) and a thick crust. 

We love Star Tavern, Mr. Dinos, Forte's, etc. but this was right up there. After dinner, somehow, there was still time to fit in Grom again for more gelato (second gelato of the day), where the kids ordered, only in Italian.  Great final full day in Rome, but a little tiring with all of the walking and the sun (!) we got.

Coming tomorrow: the train to Florence, another great lunch, a surprisingly great dinner, and gelato x2 (again).