Etretat

After Bruges, but before Mont St. Michel and the beaches of Normandy, we stopped in Etretat to see the beautiful cliffs. They were everything we anticipated and more, despite the tale of woe our server in town told us about all of the suicides that occur in this area. True or not, it was worth the stop. 

The reason for traveling to Etretat. 

During our time in Etretat, we stayed in this house in the tiny (and very remote) village of Le Tilleul. Our hosts were a couple named Simon and Theresa who were English expats. They were so lovely, as was their idyllic home.

Theresa (a midwife) 

The chickens that laid our eggs for breakfast.

Bruges

The land of chocolate, beer, canals and Belgium waffles. It is absolutely picturesque. I do believe we may be back.

The Vatican

Nothing need be said, except "Va bene."
We took a guided tour which was informative and well paced (despite taking about 4 hours). Our tour guide was a very happy woman in her mid thirties who took the opportunity to point out available seats throughout the tour, while also asking if I was alright in her tour microphone about every 20 minutes. Ha. It is good to be pregnant in Europe.

La Pieta. It has been a dream to see this since I was about 15.

After watching Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with my Dad every year growing up, it was great to finally be there.

The Romans in Roma

THE COLOSSEUM 

THE ARCH OF CONSTANTINE

THE FORUM 

VIA APPIA (The Appian Way)

We rented bikes at a coffee shop along the Appian Way and rode along the very, very, bumpy and ancient road. It was amazing. We stopped along the ride to see various ruins of ancient mansions (complete with steam rooms) and to generally take in the view. 

THE PANTHEON 

The hole in the roof

After Rome became Christian, so did the Pantheon

Roma! Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Oh, Roma. How can you not love Rome?
We had a great time with Ron and Carol (my in-laws) during a four day whirlwind tour during which we celebrated our second wedding anniversary. Salute!
Note: General sites from Rome, including fountains and the Spanish steps follow. Individual posts have been dedicated to the Romans in Rome and The Vatican. It's only right.

Chillin Ron

We made a dinner one night in our apartment (which was located just down the road from the Vatican and was amazing). We stopped at the largest market in Rome, Mercato Trionafale, to purchase some fresh mozzarella,etc. It was delicious.

HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY!

Ok, not the best picture, but the only one we have to commemorate our dinner. It was a pleasure to celebrate in Rome with Ron and Carol. This makes two for two; both of our anniversaries so far have been spent in Italy (the first in Tuscany).

To celebrate, we followed the hallowed advice of Rick Steves (a must) and did a one mile "Night Walk" through Rome. After a day of riding along the Appian Way (see the Romans in Rome post) and generally walking and biking miles, this 7 month pregnant girl was not sure she could do another walk (on our way to the restaurant, we hailed a cab. To take us about a quarter of a mile. Because I just couldn't walk one. more. step). But it was beautiful to see the fountains all lit up, and we were really enjoying ourselves....

Until we got *poured* on. There is no way to explain the type of rain that unleashed during our walk. I have never been so grateful for all of the umbrella salesmen who literally came out of the woodwork at the moment the first drop fell. It makes our pictures of the Trevi fountain a bit hazy, but it was still beautiful.

The Trevi Fountain

The attempted belly shot to prove to the coming bambino that he was, in fact, at the Trevi Fountain.

 And all was going well, until the last few tenths of a mile as we were reaching our last destination, the Spanish Steps. Despite having been anticipating seeing the Steps since we had arrived in Rome (thank you Audrey Hepburn), we arrived wet and my resolution to walk just a bit more was fading. And I sat down on the beautiful Spanish Steps, which were soaked, and I cried. Needless to say, I enjoyed the moment in a cafe across the street while Adam and Ron hiked the steps. And we took a cab home.
Rome is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it for the pregnant women in their third trimesters. Consider yourselves warned.

The Spanish Steps.

The view I never did see. Looking down from the Spanish Steps.