Today’s port was Civitavecchia, Italy, and we hopped on an excursion that shuttles you into Rome, lets you explore on your own, and then gathers everyone back up later — about 1.5 hours each way, just enough time to remember how sprawling Italy really is.
Since Andy and I have technically “done Rome” (even if it was almost 20 years ago), we skipped the full tour and wandered through our greatest‑hits playlist — all the iconic spots that fit perfectly within a reasonable walking timeframe. We started outside Vatican City & St. Peter’s Square, where the basilica dome rises above everything like Rome’s unofficial compass. From there, we drifted through Piazza Navona (once an ancient Roman stadium), then over to the Pantheon, which has stood for nearly 2,000 years with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.
We tossed a coin at the Trevi Fountain, climbed the Spanish Steps, and ended at Piazza del Popolo, the grand northern gateway to the city since ancient times.
Somewhere between piazzas, we did a little shopping and each treated ourselves to new wallets — mine even matches the purse I picked up in Paris, which feels like a tiny fashion triumph.
For lunch, we stopped at Osteria del Tempo Perso, where we had caprese, carbonara, lasagna, and tiramisu — every single dish absolutely amazing. The kind of meal that makes you briefly consider never leaving Italy.
And yes… the heat was intense again. Rome was serving full summer furnace mode. Thankfully, the city’s fresh, cold drinking fountains (a tradition dating back to the 1800s) are everywhere, and after surviving France’s heatwave, Andy and I came prepared with our water‑activated cooling hat/visor setup.
Fun fact that feels less fun when you’re living it:
Rome’s streets are paved with black volcanic cobblestones, originally quarried from nearby lava fields. They absorb heat like they’re auditioning to be actual lava, so walking around felt like strolling across a warm volcano — dramatic, but honestly accurate.Read more
July 28 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C