ROMA!

Riana and I jetted off to Rome Thursday afternoon, for a rather quick trip.  We arrived in Roma Thursday night and stayed at the adorable Hotel Ripa.  The hotel was a perfect fit for Riana, the entire room was accented with hearts!

Thursday night we went to Taverna Truillisa with Katie, Melissa, Janey, and Ilyse! I do not know how these girls go abroad to Italy...I do not think I would make it.  The food was amazing, too good, that I purposely did not keep a 'food diary' because I did not want to remember what I ate.  After dinner, Melissa was very insistent that we take a chocolate shot at this little shop in Trastevere.  The pictures tell the whole story...We then went to a little bar filled with Americans.  We had heard about the Harry Potter shot and decided to try it.  I always knew I was not a fan of Harry Potter...and the shot did nothing for me either.  In fact, Riana and Katie lived to tell us about the shot...barely.  Lets just say it was awful. Gross. Never again. We then tried to go clubbing in Testachio, but ended up at a bar, where we sat and got the chance to catch up!

Friday morning Riana and I got up early and hit all of the touristy spots. We first went to the Colosseum, and guess what the snow did not prevent us from getting in.  Except, Riana and I did pull a Hal Fetner, and cut the line by paying for the audio guide.  We did not want to wait in the long line, so why not pull a Hal Fetner or an Alex Fetner?

After the Colosseum, we walked to the Pantheon, and then off to Trevi Fountain.  Katie gave us an amazing recommendation for lunch -- Il Chianti.  I definitely suggest this and especially since it was a nice day, we were able to sit outside and people watch (a personal favorite of mine!)  After that we went to the Spanish steps and walked around.  We did a little shopping...its Italy!

Friday night, Mattie joined us from Barcelona and we went to the famous Tony's for dinner.  Famous for Americans...not Italians.  I would definitely not call this a native Italian place, but rather short for Tony DiNapolis in NYC?  Just kidding... but it was probably the only place in Rome that you could get chicken parm.

Saturday morning, Riana and I woke up and went to the Vatican.  Once again another long line.  Following in the footsteps of funny man Larry David, I successfully pulled off a chat and cut.  Right when I saw a break in the line, I cut through by talking to Riana who was placed in the break.  I made it seem like I was looking for her.  It was perfect.  Flawless. And it worked.  We were in the Vatican within 15 minutes rather than what could have been an hour +.  We went into St. Peter's Basilica and then to the Vatican Museum to see Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo...good job! Three times there, it is still pretty remarkable.

Saturday afternoon we returned back to Barcelona.  Short trip, but hey, we came, we saw, and conquered Rome...funny? No..not really.