Roma

Love me some AirBnB! I found this amazing apartment just a block away from Vatican on AirBnB. It was a great deal and had a grocery store just a few steps away. We flew Ryanair to Ciampino airport and took a taxi to the city walls. Taxi are required to give a flat rate of 30euro from the airport to Rome. We had to argue with the driver about it because he was trying to get a bit more so that is why we walked a bit... he said our apartment was just past the "Rome Center" that costs 30euro. Whatever, lol. 

The next morning we woke up and took the metro around the city. The Rome Metro system is very easy to navigate. An individual ticket for bus, metro, tram and trains inside the municipality of Rome is 1.50 € and is valid for 100 minutes. If you will be in Rome for an extended period of time, one can buy a seven day Metro and bus pass (called CIS) for 24 €.

 We went to the Colosseum first thing in the morning, before it got to packed.  

 After the Colosseum, we walked around that area the next few hours. That area has so much that you can walk to and see. The Roman Forum,  Palatine Hill, Arco di Costantino, Foro di Cesare, Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) and so much more. 

 

the Pantheon

We were on a mission to find the best gelato in Rome & found it!

Giolitti

The Trevi fountain was under construction but it was cool getting to close to the sculptures. 

enjoying more gelato

 The Spanish Steps

Be sure to see the rest of our trip: Naple & Pompeii and Vatican City

Chocolate & Cheese Tasting in Switzerland

A friend of mine (whose son is friends with Rand) and I have been talking about taking a "Mom's day out" trip for a while. We came across a tour given for military members nearby with MWR. We left very early (around 2am) and headed off to Switzerland for the day. 

In the morning, we arrived at the Nestle/Cailler World Headquarters for a tour and tasting. The tour was short and entertaining but I was very excited about the smorgasbord of chocolate! All of it was amazing and after tasting all the delicious chocolates, we visited the gift shop and the cafe. We heard the hot chocolate was to die for... so of course we got some and we were not disappointed. 

Our next stop was the La Maison du Gruyère cheese factory. We got a little tasting during our short tour that were 3, 6 and 9 months of aging. After the brief tour (that is self-guided) we enjoyed some fondue in their restaurant. 

During our free time in Gruyères, we visited the historic Château de Gruyères, built in the 1200’s and designated a Swiss Heritage Site of National Significance. We also came across the terrifying H.R. Giger museum but we passed it and got a drink at the bar across the street instead.