Return to the US

We almost had to stay longer in Spain because of the Volcano ash coming from Iceland had most of Europe's flights canceled. We were worried about getting back to work but, at the same time we wanted to stay and go to a Real Madrid Soccer match day after. We were delayed several hours at the airport because the airport was going to be closed. The gate attendants sent us to get a hotel voucher and we were called back to the gate. Nobody knew if the airport was going to remain open or closed. There was no free wii-fi at the aiport. I payed the 6 euros that they charged to log in for 30 minutes, check the news, and send an email to my family. After waiting hours at the airport for cancellations we were ready to go just to find out that our plane was delayed a few more hours due to mechanical reasons. We were upset, but not surprised that American Airlines has mechanical problems. We met other passengers that had driven or taken trains across Europe to fly from Spain. Spain was one of the few Countries that were not affected by the ash clouds. We had a multi-city ticket that allowed us to fly from the US to London and return from Madrid to the US. If the price of a round trip to London was significant lower at the time that we purchased we would have had to stay in Europe for at least one more week. It does sound like a good excuse to extend a vacation but I was taken non-paid time off at work and, my boyfriend had a new job waiting for him. It would have been a not so good way to stay in Europe longer. 

Needless to say, we lost our connection in Miami, we had to take the next flight to Tampa which was also delayed. They offered us to spend the night in Miami and fly to Tampa in the morning. We decided to wait for our already delayed flight. We finally arrived to Tampa at 2:00 AM when we were originally supposed to be back around 6:00 PM. We were lucky to be back on Sunday since we had to go to work early the next day. I was exhausted the whole day and a few more days after we were back. The jet-lag was not as bad as I expected it to be. It is worse when you fly the opposite time zone because you are not ready for bed. When you return from Europe you will be already 6 hours past your bed time. 

Euro Bills

Pound Sterling bills

Y El Paseo se Acabo (and the trip is over)

Last day in Rome & First night in Barcelona

We only had a few hours to walk around Rome before leaving. We had to check out at noon. We woke up early to go to the Vatican. The plan was to see the St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum to see the Sixtine Chapel. The line for the Basilica was so long that we didn't have time to go to the Vatican Museum. I was sad to leave Rome so soon. When we were first planning the trip I didn't want to go to Rome, I wanted to go to Prague. Andre said this was his #1 City to visit and I had to say yes. Paris was my #1 and we were going to Paris. I was quickly in love with Rome and I will definitely return. If anyone is interested in reading a good vatican related book "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown takes place in Rome. The book is great and the movie is awful. I read it a few years ago but, this would have been the perfect book to read in the plane on my way to Rome. 

The line for the Basilica di San Prieto

Swiss guard :) love their uniform

Pieta by Michelangelo

Under this seal on the floor is a part the Vatican Museum

The Piazza ready for mass

The swiss guards

After our quick Vatican visit we returned to the hotel to check out and go to the airport. We took the train to Fiuminicio Airport to catch our flight to Barcelona. We decided to go to Barcelona last minute when we were planning our trip. The flight from Rome was very cheap and we both wanted to go. Barcelona was not at the top of our places to see but it was a good opportunity. We decided to spend 2 nights in Barcelona and make our stay in Madrid shorter. This was a good decision. I enjoyed Barcelona a lot more than Madrid.  I had a childhood friend who live in Barcelona. He advised us on places to stay. We stayed in Las Ramblas at the "Hotel Royal Ramblas". The hotel was very nice and located in Las Ramblas close to Plaza Catalunya. This is the street with all the "action" in Barcelona. My friend also told us where to have the best tapas and sangria in town. We went to a restaurant called Ciudad Condal. We liked it so much that we wanted to return the next day. The sangria was delicious and I have tried a lot of sangrias!!!! After tasting a lot of items in the menu we were ready for bed.

We walked Las Ramblas all the way to the end to see the Cristobal Colon statue. Along the way many suspicious people approached us. Be careful with your belongings in this area since it is crowded and you get distracted by all the things happening around you. We heard several times people that walked very close to us and they were saying "coke". I am sure that they can sell a lot of drugs to tourist but just keep walking and don't pay attention. I know that many people travel to look for drugs and other illegal things like prostitution. Sadly most local officials now about this but they don't stop it. I always watch the show "locked abroad" and many people have been in jail for stupid reasons. Don't trust anybody. It sounds like a simple advise but I think I have an issue with trust. Because I grew up in an unsafe place I always watch my surroundings and avoid places after dark. Sometimes I feel a little paranoid, but fortunately nothing bad has ever happened to me. I notice people from the US are very relaxed with their belongings, especially women with their purses, and they just trust that no one is going to take it.

After our walk in Las Ramblas, we returned to the hotel to get ready for the next day. That was our only full day in Barcelona and we had a long itinerary.

Best way to start our days in Spain: a pitcher of sangria

Tapas and Sangria

Plaza Catalunya

Rome Day 3, Venice Night 1

This morning we returned to the Colosseum. We only had a few hours to do this. We had a flight to Venice that afternoon. Luckily, we had the ticket from the day before.  The line to get the tickets was very long!!! if you can buy the ticket online or go to the Palatine line which is shorter and buy the 2-day ticket to see the Forum, Palatine and Colosseum. Inside the Colosseum there is a museum of the history of gladiators and the Roman empire. 

Gladiator outside the Colosseum

After the Colosseum, we went to the Palatine ruins. It was a little hard to imagine how it looked in the empire times. Some of the ruins are very well preserved but other are just small pieces. It was very moving to be in the same place as the Romans. I always loved history and I could hear my 6th grade teacher telling us the stories of the Romans... I wish I had been paying more attention to the class!!!

Above the Forum (that we saw the day before)

Roman Forum from the Palatine

After our half day in Rome we were on our way to Venice. This short trip came up last minute when we were deciding what to do in Rome. We thought about going to Pompeii for a day trip but the flights to Venice were so cheap that we decided to go for 24 hours. We only took a backpack and left our bags in the hotel in Rome. Our hotel in Venice was the most expensive of the whole trip and the oldest of all. When we arrived to Venice we got lost for a while looking for the hotel. There were 3 other hotels in the area with the same name and every time we asked for direction we were sent to the wrong hotel. We finally found it. After getting our room we walked to find a place for dinner. We had pizza! It was great! It sounds simple but pizza is probably my favorite food. I love bread and cheese and when the italians combine it is just perfect.

More gelato!!! I love italians for inventing some of my favorite foods 

We walked for a while and had to buy sweaters. We were expecting warmer weather like the one in Rome but it was a little cold. I also saw one of the funniest things I've ever seen: a condom's vending machine. I guess italians always think of everything.

condom's vending machine

Rome Day 2

We decided to buy the pass for the double deck bus. We needed to see the City quick and we were still exhausted from the previous 10 non-stop days. It was also good that we could learn more about the sites with the audio tour. Rome does not have a great metro system so you end up walking a lot from the closest station to your destination.

First Look at the Colosseo from the bus

Circus Maximus

We got off the bus at the Piazza del Popolo and started walking. We walked towards the piazza di Spagna and from there to the Fontana de Trevi. This was a LONG walk but we were looking at the City at the same time. Plus, there was a lot of good window shopping to do in Rome. Next time we go back to Rome we will stay in the "old Rome" area. The feeling from the hotel and the area was similar to Latin America. But close to the piazzas, the old buildings, the fancy italian stores, and ancient Rome has to be magical. We walked towards hard rock cafe and that was another long walk but, I could not leave without my souvenirs. The weather was perfect in Rome. It was warm and sunny the whole time. 

Piazza del Popolo

First Gelato

Tiny italian cars

Piazza di Spagna

Fontana de Trevi

getting water from the fountains

We went to the Colosseum since we were going to Venice the next day. We got the combination ticket for the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. We were only able to tour the Forum. We decided to return in the morning to tour the Colosseum and the Palatine.

After they closed the ruins we went back to the double deck bus and got off at the Vatican. It was also closed but we walked around the Basilica di San Pietro. We found a Trattoria close to the Vatican and had a great dinner.

San Pietro