If Florence is pretty intensely chockablock with art and great stuff to see, Rome is even more intense. My neck was on a constant swivel as we checked out the Coliseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps and the various ruins that dot the city. I needed more eyes to take in this town. We even got to see the Sistine Chapel.

Of all the sights I saw this day, the Sistine Chapel amazed me the most. Photographs don't really show you what it's like. The painting doesn't look flat-it looks like the ceiling is carved in high relief, but it's flat as a pancake! On our Disney trips something always surprises me and this is the thing that did. I still think the big Jesus coming down from the clouds picture is still over the top-Jesus looks like he's telling Mary "Stop stealin' mah spotlight Mom!" But... the Sistine Chapel ceiling really is all that and then some!

The other amazing thing about Rome is the water. OMG why don't they bottle and sell it? Oooeerrrr! Rome's a somewhat dirty city and I'd never have drunk water from a fountain, but our guides assured and encouraged us to drink away! Rome gets its fountain water from underground aquifers and it's both pure and delicious! It's very sweet water and it comes out amazingly cool from the fountains which in the heat of Rome is utterly wonderful. So if you ever go to Rome REMEMBER TO DRINK THE WATER!

Today we also saw the Coliseum! This is a strange building. I felt a deep connection to history standing there... I mean, this building is legendary and has felt the footsteps of Trajan, Christian martyrs, and the touch of ages, but also the Coliseum is so utterly familiar in a strange way. Every big stadium I've even been in or will be in is a modern replica of this site-the layout is eerily similar if the materials aren't. There were three kids (two girls one boy) traveling with us on this tour, and upon our departure we found ourselves challenged by the little boy fully decked out in cute gladiator gear! Caesar, we salute you!