So Many Roads

06/02/2026

💦 Toss a Coin, Make a Wish: A Visit to Rome's Trevi Fountain

With only three days to explore Rome before our cruise, we have a long list of sights to see! The Trevi Fountain is a few steps from our hotel at the Excellence Suite. It's centrally located, and while it used to be completely free to visit, it now has a minimal fee to access a close viewpoint. It is one of those places you've seen in photos your entire life but still need to experience in person.

Standing over 85 feet tall and nearly 160 feet wide, it's the largest Baroque fountain in Rome—and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Pictures depict it to be just as beautiful during the day as it is when illuminated at night, it promises to be a site to behold.

Fun Facts About the Trevi Fountain

💧 The fountain was completed in 1762 after taking about 30 years to build.

💧 More than 3,000 euros are tossed into the fountain every day! The money is collected and donated to charity.

💧 Tradition says that tossing one coin over your left shoulder with your right hand guarantees a return trip to Rome.

💧 The fountain has appeared in numerous films, including the classic La Dolce Vita.

💧 The fountain is fed by the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which has supplied water to Rome for nearly 2,000 years.

Travel Tip: Visit early in the morning or later in the evening if you want to avoid the biggest crowds and get the best photos.

Have you tossed a coin into the Trevi Fountain? Did you make it back to Rome?



📸This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

06/01/2026

# # # Beneath the Streets of Rome: Exploring the Catacombs of Priscilla

As we plan our 3 days in Rome, choosing a catacomb to visit is high on our list. Rome is home to more than 60 catacomb complexes, with hundreds of miles of underground passageways hidden beneath the city. Yet only a handful are regularly open to visitors, each offering its own unique glimpse into the city's early Christian history.

After researching the options, we chose the Catacombs of Priscilla. They are conveniently located not far from our hotel, and immediately caught our attention because of their incredible artwork and historical significance.

Often called the "Queen of the Catacombs," Priscilla dates back to the 2nd century and is considered one of Rome's most important underground burial sites. Its maze-like tunnels contain thousands of burial niches and some of the earliest known Christian frescoes ever discovered.

A few fun facts:

🕯️ The catacombs are home to some of the oldest surviving Christian art in the world.

🎨 One fresco is believed to be among the earliest known depictions of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus.

⛪ Several early popes were buried here, making it an important site for the early Church.

🌡️ Even during Rome's hot summer months, the underground tunnels remain cool and comfortable.

While the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter's Basilica often steal the spotlight, we're excited to spend some time exploring a quieter side of Rome's history. Walking through these ancient tunnels feels like stepping back nearly 2,000 years into the city's earliest Christian roots. The catacomb's are another site you should purchase tickets in advance for in the busy summer months.

Have you visited any of Rome's catacombs? If so, which one was your favorite?



By Painting, unknown artist, 3rd century A.D., Romephoto by Joseph Wilpert (1856-1944) -

06/01/2026

Huge Thank you to my friend Julie for sending this today!! You always know how to make my day!! Miss you!!

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

Why am I posting pics from Alaska last June?? Because it’s not even June 1st, and waking the dog at 9am was brutal…dripping sweat, the humidity must be 200%… me and my extra frizzy hair are not ok… I want to go back to Alaska.

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

Rome wasn’t built in a day… but we are going to see as much in a day as we can!

With limited time in Rome before we board our ship, we’ll be packing a LOT into one day — including both the Colosseum and Vatican City.

Like the Colosseum, the Vatican also requires advance planning if you’re visiting during the busy summer season. Tickets and guided tours for the Vatican Museums can sell out quickly, and booking ahead can save HOURS of waiting in line. I’ve also learned it’s best to purchase directly from the official site whenever possible to help avoid issues with third-party vendors, scams, and unexpected cancellations, not to mention the best prices.

A few fun facts about Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica:
• Vatican City is the smallest country in the world 🌍
• St. Peter’s Basilica is believed to be built over the tomb of St. Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles
• Michelangelo helped design the famous dome and also created masterpieces inside the Vatican
• The Vatican Museums are home to the Sistine Chapel and its world-famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo 🎨
• St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the largest churches in the world and can hold over 60,000 people

It will be a long day with the Vatican in the morning and the Colosseum in the afternoon, but we are up for the challenge! The history, art, architecture, and significance of Vatican City make it one of the most incredible places in the world!

And an added bonus: My brother happens to be in Rome on the same day!!!




📸Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
-vatican

05/30/2026

**A chapel made of bones!! I can't wait! **

One of the first stops on our Italy adventure will be the Capuchin Crypt in Rome — conveniently located just a short walk from our hotel in the city center
The Capuchin Crypt is one of the most fascinating and unusual places in Rome. Located beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, the crypt contains the remains of approximately 3,700 Capuchin friars dating back to the 1500s.
What makes it so unique is that the bones were carefully arranged into intricate designs, chandeliers, arches, and artistic displays throughout several small chapels. While it may sound eerie, the purpose was actually meant to be reflective — reminding visitors of the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life.
One of the most famous messages found there translates to:
“What you are now, we once were. What we are now, you shall be.”
Rome truly has layers of history around every corner, and this is definitely one of the more unforgettable sites we’ll experience


📸Attribution:
© Anil Öztas
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

05/29/2026

Italy is filled with incredible history, culture, and bucket-list experiences — and one of the most iconic has to be the Colosseum in Rome 🏛️✨

As we prepare for our July trip to Italy, starting in Rome 🇮🇹, I’ve been learning that if visiting the Colosseum is on your list, you definitely need to plan ahead, especially during the busy summer season!

🎟️ Important ticket tips:
• Arena Floor & Underground tickets are released 7 days in advance
• Standard tickets are released 30 days in advance
• Summer tickets sell out FAST, so set reminders and remember to account for the Italy/U.S. time difference when tickets are released!

A few fun facts about the Colosseum:
• It’s nearly 2,000 years old and once held around 50,000 spectators
• Gladiator battles, animal hunts, and even mock naval battles took place there
• Its original name was the Flavian Amphitheatre
• It’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World 🌍

Rome is filled with history around every corner, but the Colosseum is one of those places that truly makes you stop and imagine what life was like centuries ago. I can’t wait to experience it in person ❤️



📷Photo by David Köhler on Unsplash
-collusseum

05/29/2026

First and last day of Junior year! I can’t believe I have a senior!!!