That morning was the only time that the travel package we were with hadn't organised anything for us, so the teachers had decided to take us to Vatican City separately. We were told that because it was a church we had to dress respectfully (for the girls in particular). This meant wearing the snazzy school trip T-shirts we had all bought (no, they're worse than they sound) and either leggings or jeans. It was the hottest day of the trip, probably around 34 degrees in the heat of the day, so this really wasn't ideal.
We got to Vatican City, and had a little look around at the various buildings there. We then got in the queue to go into the famous St. Perter's Basillica. There was a fountain just outside the entrance to the queue where we had the opportunity to fill up our water bottles (that's one things I love about Rome, there are drinking water fountains EVERYWHERE) but because we had to go in the queue, we were hurried off before most of us could use it.
We stood in that queue for what felt like hours. Of course I'm sure it didn't help that it was coming up to the heat of the day, we were all wearing our dark leggings and navy shirts, and we had very little drinking water. It took such a long time because everyone had to go with their bags through a security check, very similar to the ones at the airport and there was only two open for the zillions of people in that queue.
Anyway, we got inside and at first I think that we were all just quite relieved to be out of the sun, and probably wasted quite a lot of time enjoying the coolness of it, rather than all of the splendour. Although, when we did actually begin to take in the amazing sights around us, it was pretty darn incredible.
The only word I can use to describe it is ornate. There was stuff to see absolutely everywhere, every inch of the walls were covered with plaques and marble and pictures of cupids and domes and absolutely everything you could ever imagine. In fact, there was so much there that my camera wouldn't focus properly because there was too much to focus on - so apologies for the not-great pictures!
There was this little side room that was curtained off that was specifically for prayer, which my friends and I went into (2 of us being religious). Photography wasn't allowed in that room because it was a special temple just to be with God, but it was quite probably more stunning that the rest of the basilica.
And of course, we had to pay a trip to the gift shop where my friends bought postcards of the pope!
We left the basilica afterwards, and got changed out of our hot horrible clothes into some nice light ones in the loos. I do have to say that some (ok, most) of the toilets in Italy were quite disgusting, but after some serious consideration I have ranked these ones that we went to outside the basilica the best of the whole trip - just a fun fact for you! Only problem with them was that they were automatic flush, and were very sensitive to movement. This meant that when you were changing and were sitting on the loo, bending over to change your shoes, it would suddenly flush underneath you, sending a cold breeze upwards. This happened 5 times while I was on the loo. (I love how my longest paragraph is talking about toilets).
After that we walked to a square where we were to have lunch before going on a walking tour that afternoon. Alice, Leah and myself joined up with another group of three lovely girls and we went to have pizza together in a restaurant in the square. We asked for it to be quick, and they brought it out in like 5 minutes, and it was sooooo good! We thought that we were getting a great deal as well because each of these huge pizzas were only 11 euros each, but then they went and added on a 9,50 service charge! Ridiculous!
If I'm completely honest, most of what I remember about the walking tour is that there was a lot of columns and I had an amazing ice cream. However, the pictures prove that there was a lot more to it than that!
We went to The Pantheon, which I was really surprised to find that it was circular - I don't know whether it was just me being ignorant but I always thought it was square. The columns that make up the iconic front were of course very iconic, but it was actually quite a lot smaller than I expected. Inside, it is actually just a huge circle with a large hole in the ceiling which is open to the elements, because apparently it never rains on the pantheon - right. Turns out it is actually a church and is used for mass services twice a week. It was less ornate than Vatican city, but still incredibly beautiful. I loved the domed ceiling, it seemed really unique.
We then went for a walk around the city seeing various sights, including quite a few columns, a very impressive shopping centre ceiling and a wonderful tower of macrons!
We then got to The Trevi Fountain which was actually wayyy bigger than I expected. From what I understand and remember, it is supposed to be depicting Neptune, king of the sea (or Poseidon for those of us who know Greek gods, and not roman). If you want to make a wish you have to take your coin in your right hand and toss it over your left shoulder, something which I did and made my friends do reluctantly as well!
We then got to hang around for a bit, go to some souvenir shops and the loo. That is where I found the most amazing ice cream in the history of the world. I chose the Oreo one, it was AMAZING.
After that, we walked to the most expensive street in Rome: Via Frattina. It was here that I visited Sephora for the first time to get a little something for my sister. I also took some pictures of all the fancy designer shops, just so I can pretend I went there!
After this, we saw some steps, I think that they were called Spanish Steps (I think!), and are meant to be the most romantic steps in Italy.
Then we went up these incredibly romantic steps, declaring our love for each other (just kidding!) and collapsed back on the bus, where a lot of people fell asleep.
That evening we went for dinner, and had some amazing pasta and some strawberries which were actually really nice and fresh after so many carbs.
We then went bowling, which probably could've gone better... The gutters weren't up, and I've never played without them before, so I ended up having 11 misses in a row, 15 in total. Which... err... isn't too good in a game with only 20 goes.
That night Alice and myself went up to Leah's room, and had a very pleasant evening chatting, eating Haribo's and face timing one of our friends back home in England (and bragging a lot!).
We then went back into our room where I collapsed into bed, much to Alice's displeasure. That wasn't before I got some very embarrassing videos of her though!
Anyway, we got inside and at first I think that we were all just quite relieved to be out of the sun, and probably wasted quite a lot of time enjoying the coolness of it, rather than all of the splendour. Although, when we did actually begin to take in the amazing sights around us, it was pretty darn incredible.
The only word I can use to describe it is ornate. There was stuff to see absolutely everywhere, every inch of the walls were covered with plaques and marble and pictures of cupids and domes and absolutely everything you could ever imagine. In fact, there was so much there that my camera wouldn't focus properly because there was too much to focus on - so apologies for the not-great pictures!
There was this little side room that was curtained off that was specifically for prayer, which my friends and I went into (2 of us being religious). Photography wasn't allowed in that room because it was a special temple just to be with God, but it was quite probably more stunning that the rest of the basilica.
And of course, we had to pay a trip to the gift shop where my friends bought postcards of the pope!
We left the basilica afterwards, and got changed out of our hot horrible clothes into some nice light ones in the loos. I do have to say that some (ok, most) of the toilets in Italy were quite disgusting, but after some serious consideration I have ranked these ones that we went to outside the basilica the best of the whole trip - just a fun fact for you! Only problem with them was that they were automatic flush, and were very sensitive to movement. This meant that when you were changing and were sitting on the loo, bending over to change your shoes, it would suddenly flush underneath you, sending a cold breeze upwards. This happened 5 times while I was on the loo. (I love how my longest paragraph is talking about toilets).
After that we walked to a square where we were to have lunch before going on a walking tour that afternoon. Alice, Leah and myself joined up with another group of three lovely girls and we went to have pizza together in a restaurant in the square. We asked for it to be quick, and they brought it out in like 5 minutes, and it was sooooo good! We thought that we were getting a great deal as well because each of these huge pizzas were only 11 euros each, but then they went and added on a 9,50 service charge! Ridiculous!
If I'm completely honest, most of what I remember about the walking tour is that there was a lot of columns and I had an amazing ice cream. However, the pictures prove that there was a lot more to it than that!
We went to The Pantheon, which I was really surprised to find that it was circular - I don't know whether it was just me being ignorant but I always thought it was square. The columns that make up the iconic front were of course very iconic, but it was actually quite a lot smaller than I expected. Inside, it is actually just a huge circle with a large hole in the ceiling which is open to the elements, because apparently it never rains on the pantheon - right. Turns out it is actually a church and is used for mass services twice a week. It was less ornate than Vatican city, but still incredibly beautiful. I loved the domed ceiling, it seemed really unique.
We then went for a walk around the city seeing various sights, including quite a few columns, a very impressive shopping centre ceiling and a wonderful tower of macrons!
We then got to The Trevi Fountain which was actually wayyy bigger than I expected. From what I understand and remember, it is supposed to be depicting Neptune, king of the sea (or Poseidon for those of us who know Greek gods, and not roman). If you want to make a wish you have to take your coin in your right hand and toss it over your left shoulder, something which I did and made my friends do reluctantly as well!
We then got to hang around for a bit, go to some souvenir shops and the loo. That is where I found the most amazing ice cream in the history of the world. I chose the Oreo one, it was AMAZING.
After that, we walked to the most expensive street in Rome: Via Frattina. It was here that I visited Sephora for the first time to get a little something for my sister. I also took some pictures of all the fancy designer shops, just so I can pretend I went there!
After this, we saw some steps, I think that they were called Spanish Steps (I think!), and are meant to be the most romantic steps in Italy.
Then we went up these incredibly romantic steps, declaring our love for each other (just kidding!) and collapsed back on the bus, where a lot of people fell asleep.
That evening we went for dinner, and had some amazing pasta and some strawberries which were actually really nice and fresh after so many carbs.
We then went bowling, which probably could've gone better... The gutters weren't up, and I've never played without them before, so I ended up having 11 misses in a row, 15 in total. Which... err... isn't too good in a game with only 20 goes.
That night Alice and myself went up to Leah's room, and had a very pleasant evening chatting, eating Haribo's and face timing one of our friends back home in England (and bragging a lot!).
We then went back into our room where I collapsed into bed, much to Alice's displeasure. That wasn't before I got some very embarrassing videos of her though!
