Italy - Day 2 - Roma

Today was a long day. After our layover in Paris there was a pleasant two-hour flight to Rome and I slept most of the way. (Thank God, cause it gave me the energy to make it through the rest of the day). Arriving in Rome we met our guide Ellen and began a panoramic tour of Rome. We visited the Colosseum, passed St. Mary Major Basilica, and walked from the Pantheon to the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. It was exciting to see so much history - especially sites which I've studied extensively in high school and college courses.

After the afternoon tour we drove to our hotel, passing the Castle Sant'Angelo and turning a corner beheld a beautiful sight - Vatican City! After checking in Fr. Kyle, Anna, Dan, John, Matt, and I went to explore Saint Peter's Square and then Fr. Kyle, Anna, and I met up with the Gradowskis for dinner. We went on the other side of the wall (from the Vatican to Castle Sant'Angelo) to a street called the Borgo Pio where Fr. Kyle had heard there were good restaurants. We enjoyed a nice pasta meal with red wine and a gelato for only 10 euros. Then I came back and checked my email to let the folks know I was okay before heading to bed.