Rome — Travels — Open Corners

Favorite Corners - Rome

Rome. The Eternal City. The place where every name, step, grass covered hill, or drop of water has a story. For example, the Vatican's name is derived not from the church but from the old Etruscan area upon which it sits. Walked a few miles in Rome? One thousand steps of a Roman soldier, or mille, made up a Roman mile. Think a hill is just a hill? A large grassy mound along Via di Ripetta is actually the mausoleum of the first emperor Augustus. There are secrets and stories everywhere. Thirsty after a long day of sightseeing? Don't bother buying a drink. The aqueducts still bring fresh drinkable water to the city's fountains. So, grab a bottle and fill it up. Here's to Rome! Salute!

Jenny WongMay 18, 2016Favorite Corners, Rome, Italy

Climbing Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius is the second active volcano we've visited (the first being Mount Etna over a decade ago). Perhaps a bit temperamental, Vesuvius has had over 40 eruptions since 79 AD when it took out Pompeii and other surrounding settlements. The most recent eruption was in 1944 during World War II. They say that Vesuvius is due to erupt, and since the cap on top of the volcano is so thick, the next eruption may blow out sideways. For now, on the surface, Vesuvius lies quiet. Waiting.

Jenny WongMay 15, 2016Rome, Italy, Day Trip

Food Fridays - Rome

Out of all of our travels so far, we've enjoyed the food in Italy the most. Maybe it's the alfresco dining, the accordion music that warbles in the air, or the way ordering in Italian rolls off the tongue, but the food here is perfecto. First bites tingle with freshness, making us close our eyes, forget about the busyness of the day, and focus on the simple pleasure of good food.

Jenny WongMay 13, 2016Italy, Rome, Food Fridays

Remainders of Pompeii

Another day trip from Rome leads us to Pompeii. The name "Pompeii" comes from the Oscan word for the number 5, after the 5 Oscan families that originally settled there. Written descriptions described Pompeii as a coastal city overlooking the bay. When Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the amount of ash and volcanic debris changed the landscape by pushing back the sea and extending the coast by kilometers, making Pompeii inland and thus, unable to be found for centuries. Although not the only city to be consumed by Vesuvius' volcanic wrath (several settlements and a city called Herculaneum also suffered the same fate), Pompeii is the one that lingers longest in history's memory.

Jenny WongMay 11, 2016Rome, Italy, Day Trip

Selfies and Modern Art in Florence

An hour and forty-five minute train ride begins our day trip to Florence. This post is less based on what we saw, and more of what we did. Lots of selfies. Playing with the black and white setting on the camera. And indulging in some modern street art amidst the twisting beauty of Florentine streets. We also ate, but that, my friends, is another post.

Jenny WongMay 8, 2016Day Trip, Florence, Italy, Rome

Food Fridays (mini version) - Florence

We took a day trip from Rome to Florence to take in the architecture and, of course, the food.

Jenny WongMay 6, 2016Food Fridays, Day Trip, Florence, Italy, Rome

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