Ligurian Coast and Camogli

Ligurian Coast.

Portofino.

Camogli.

Italians know how to do sunsets.

We managed to find gelato.

Camogli at night - bustling with activity.

Where there is a beach, there is a Kate. No, she didn't stay dry.

Focaccia at Ristauranti Maulina in Recco.

View from Breakfast at Cenabio di Dogi.

Beautiful colors of the Camogli buildings - and practical.

Camogli's original buildings.

Yes, Camogli comes equipped with Italy's famous narrow streets.

We decided to break-up the trip from Casperia to Crans with a stop in Camogli, one of the many beautful seaside villages that dot the Ligurian coast. On the way we stopped in Portofino, another famous seaside, resort village.

Camogli has a rich history - during the Middle Ages, the port was once filled with 100's of Camogli fishing vessles. Napolean used its port for his navy before it was destroyed by Admiral Nelson at the Nile. The colorful houses were functional as well as beautiful - having helped fisherman find their way back home. Now the village is a tourist destination and we can see why. The scenery is beautfiful, the people are friendly and the cousine comprised of fresh fish is amazing. We look forward to a future visit to see our friends the Browns, who live only six miles up the coast from Camogli.

Kid Afternoon in Rome - Roma Bioparco and Borghese Park

Bioparco di Roma

We are ready - let's go in.

Always fun to see and watch.

Beautiful day for the visit.

And not too crowded.

Leopards are beautiful and rare - brought back memories of Kenya.

We took the street car to the bioparco.

Borghese Gardens.

Christmas decorations in front of the Spanish Steps.

Spanish Steps - heading back to the metro.

Following our visit to the Vatican, the kids decided to use their afternoon to visit the Bioparco - or the zoo. We took the street car instead of the metro so we could see more of Rome's streets and people.

The zoo was opened in 1911 on the original Villa Borghese estate and covers just over 30 acres. The weather was beautiful. We saw many interesting animals and, of course, spent time watching the various monkeys and limurs - always lots going on with these animals.

Following our visit, we walked through Villa Borghese Gardens to the metro station located at the Spanish Steps. The garden is 148 acres and was converted from a vineyard by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the late nineteenth century. It was given to Rome and its people as a public garden in 1903. The Romans appreciate it as, even on a winter day, the garden was full of people out for a walk.

We successfully navigated the metro's red line to Termini stop, where we switched trains to the blue line. We departed blue line at Tributina where we caught our regional train back to Poggio Miterto. Exhausted but happy, the family returned Casperia.

The Vatican

Catching the train at Poggio Mirteto.

The Vatican is a fortified country. The walls and huge lines of tourists.

St. Peters.

Before our museum tour begins.

Sistine Chapel in the background with the square windows.

Vatican Museum.

Laocoon and His Sons.

Hall of Tapestries.

St. Peter's Square.

Inside St. Peters - each letter is over 6 ft tall.

The Pieta by Michelangelo

Touching for good luck - like thousands have done before us.

Hey - Swiss Guards!!

The Pope speaks from the 2nd window from the left.

St. Peter's

Having had a great first day in Rome, we traveled back to see the Vatican and to spend an afternoon doing something fun for the girls. We met Luca outside the Vatican walls for our tour of the Papal State.

Even in low tourist season, the Vatican was busy. We can’t imagine what it must be like during the busy tourist season. Having Luca with us was the way to go as we avoided waiting in lines and he was able to provide the highlights of the Vatican museum for us. The Vatican museum is enormous. Like most the of world’s great museums, one could spend a week listening to audio guides – they can be overwhelming. Luca knew right where to go and gave us the “best of” tour. Of course the Sistine Chapel was amazing. We had the same spellbound feeling as we gazed at the ceiling to see the paintings that we had seen in so many books over our lives. It was a real treat.

As if the Sistine Chapel wasn’t spell-binding enough, the trip to St. Peter’s was an amazing experience. The size is somewhat hidden. It isn’t until one sees how other great cathedrals of the world would fit inside of St. Peter’s is the true size of this great cathedral apparent.

The holiday season is a busy time in St. Peter’s square. Thousands of seats were set-up awaiting the next event.

After an incredible visit we headed for another delicious lunch and prepared for a fun afternoon of kid activity.

Classic Rome

Taking the trains into Rome was easy, on time and inexpensive.

The Coliseum.

15,000 people visit here each day.

Inside - an amazing feat for mankind 2,000 years ago.

The cross marks the spot where the emperors sat.

Happy family.

View of the vicotyr arch outside.

Arch of Constentine (312 AD)

Learning about the part below the surface.

Arch of Septimius Severus.

Temple of Julius Ceaser - where his cremated remains were held after he became a god.

Forum.

Temple of Vesta. 

Pantheon.

Dome of the Pantheon - the top is open.

Inside the Pantheon.

Rome.

Having had a full day - Maria reads to the girls on the trian back to Casperia.

Following three days of relaxing in Casperia, we headed into Rome to see the sites. We took the train as we were told it was easy,  inexpensive and a good way to avoid the traffic and parking challenges in Rome. Great idea.

We found that tour guides are a good investment. We arranged for a guide in advance. Luca was waiting for us when we arrived for our first day of exploring. We divided the days up between seeing the coliseum, forum and the pantheon. It was an fantastic experience. The fact that so much of the coliseum remains despite it being 2,000 years old and it being used as a quarry for newer buildings was incredible.  It is a magnificent structure and a fitting remnant of all that was the Roman Empire.

Following the coliseum, we headed to see the remnants of the forum, what was once the center or Roman government, commerce and celebration.  Along the way we learned more about Roman history from Luca.

Lastly, we visited the Pantheon, one of the best preserved Roman buildings. It has been a working church since the 7^th century, which is probably why it was so well preserved. The dome is incredible, as it is incredibly large.

Following a lunch of pizza, we strolled down the streets of Rome and took in the city – its sites, people and sounds. Though we came back from Rome tired, it was a great day and left us excited for day 2.