Day One in Roma – The Candelaria’s have Arrived ~ Buon Natale

Ok that was probably the easiest trip to Italy we have ever done. A little mechanical hiccup in Phoenix upon our departure so a slight delay there but had plenty of time to make our connection and rendezvous with Tiffany in Atlanta. The flight over was  nice as I always like to schedule that in the middle of the night so you arrive in Italy with a fresh day.

We checked into our hotel which is a few blocks from the Colosseum and grabbed a couple hour power nap. We woke up not exactly knowing where we were or what day it was and shook off the jet lag and proceeded to go explore!

Of course with the Candelaria crew the first stop involves eating. So we found a cute Trattoria and stopped for lunch. Wow – homerun right out of the gate. The girls had lasagna, Tiffany and Isabel ordered some gluten free pasta – which by the way seems to be everywhere now in Italy – and I ordered a delicious chick pea soup. We all shared an insalata mista and we were reenergized.

Now with being just a few blocks from the Colosseum we made that our first stop. So fun to watch the girls eyes and their excitement with this first trip. It’s the best part of any of my Italy trips and tours. I am so excited to have several first time travelers coming up on our two Candelaria Design Tour Italy trips in 2016 – which by the way are both SOLD OUT! We snapped a few photos and then walked along to the ruins of the Forum which was so beautiful under the soft December sun. I cannot tell you how beautiful it is to be here with smaller crowds, moderate temperatures – it was 62º today in Rome – and this low soft light. Spectacular and mystical.

From the ruins of the Forum we made our way across the old historic part of Rome to the Pantheon with several duck ins of churches along the way. The girls could not believe the churches….just wait, on Christmas Eve we are going for a private tour of the Vatican!

The Pantheon is for sure my favorite building in Rome if not the world. It is perfect  To top it off a gentleman was singing opera out front and the sun was slowly setting and the full moon was rising. So fantastic to share this space and experience with my girls.  We grabbed our first gelato and sat on the fountain steps and enjoyed the music.

From there it was a short walk to the Piazza Navonne for a quick stroll, grab a cab and make our way to the Trevi Fountain…..yes I was giving the girls a Candelaria macro blur. Those of you who have been on my trips know what this is all about!!!

After taking in the Trevi fountain and getting in a few family shots, we made our way back towards our hotel but first a stop for dinner. A little pizza, pasta, and salad and then the walk home past the Forum and Colosseum and our first day in Rome was completed. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!