Day: 239
Towns / Cities Visited: 156
Countries Visited: 26
Steps Taken Today: 9,996
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,965,449
We awoke relatively early to another sunny November morning. My melancholy mood had shifted slightly to something vaguely resembling optimism, and as robotic and systematic as the task had become by now, we packed away our things and bid farewell to the little apartment which had been our Roman home. I can’t say I would miss the place; it was stark, minimal, and lacking many things which would make it a comfortable place to stay long term. Its clinical feel…
Day: 238
Towns / Cities Visited: 155
Countries Visited: 26
Steps Taken Today: 14,149
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,955,453
Our last day in Rome saw us venturing beyond the city to the nearby town of Tivoli, but given that the previous day had involved an early start, we took a more leisurely approach to the morning, waking slowly, having breakfast, and not stepping out into the big, wide world until after 10am. Heading to the nearby train station, we took a short trip to a different station on the other side of Rome, in order to swap over to…
Day: 239
Towns / Cities Visited: 154
Countries Visited: 26
Steps Taken Today: 17,207
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,941,304
Our accommodation may have gifted us with an enviable view of the looming dome of St. Peter’s Basilica since we arrived, but it wasn’t until today, some four days into our residence in Rome, that we would finally venture into the world’s smallest country, Vatican City. Now, there are just some attractions in the world so consistently popular that it takes an early start to ensure entry without being swamped by tour groups, at least at the beginning. With that…
Day: 238
Towns / Cities Visited: 154
Countries Visited: 25
Steps Taken Today: 19,898
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,924,097
Today was the day we would finally explore the labyrinth which is the heart of Italy’s capital. Rome was calling, but there was no timed schedule and thus we rose after a lie in, refreshed and ready to face the day ahead. Now, naturally, the best way to start a big day of adventure, is to dig into a solid breakfast, and with dinner falling onto my shoulders this evening, my brother decided to handle the morning meal. Given that…
Day: 237
Towns / Cities Visited: 154
Countries Visited: 25
Steps Taken Today: 9,335
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,904,199
After a little research the night before, we had decided to shake up our original order of sightseeing over the following days for strategic reasons. Before we could go anywhere though, we had to make our way downstairs to the pharmacy as my poor mum had come down with a cold. Growing up, she had always instilled in us the idea that one must try and soldier on through sickness where possible. Practicing what she preached, we left with the…
Day: 236
Towns / Cities Visited: 154
Countries Visited: 25
Steps Taken Today: 28,713
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,894,864
Our first day of exploring Italy’s famed capital came with an early start, not only because the city and its surrounds are chock full of historical sites but because we had sensibly booked an in-depth tour at arguably the most recognisable of all of them, the Colosseum. Reasoning that walking is always the best way to see new places, and get a true feel for life within them, we had a quick bite to eat and set off into the…
Day: 234 & 235
Towns / Cities Visited: 154
Countries Visited: 25
Steps Taken Today: 23,003
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,866,151
We awoke lazily to what would be the start of two days of small-town exploration on our journey from Tuscany down to Rome. As fun as seeing the famous tourist sites and major cities is, it’s important not to forget that the most authentic experiences are often found in the heartlands of the countries you visit. …
Day: 233
Towns / Cities Visited: 150
Countries Visited: 25
Steps Taken Today: 20,786
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,843,148
Today was to be one of those days. One of those days where, because my mum only had six weeks to cram in as much adventuring as possible with us, we would be attempting the always vaguely stressful task of visiting two towns in a day. This, of course, meant that we rose early and, packing our bags into the car, bid a very fond farewell to Florence. As we drove away, I couldn’t help but feel a little saddened…
Day: 232
Towns / Cities Visited: 148
Countries Visited: 25
Steps Taken Today: 18,777
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,822,362
It was to be an earlier morning than usual today because we had booked an attraction for 10am, and, as such, we were up, fed, and on the tram in no time. Being that it was our third day of exploring Florence, finding our way to the square we were searching for was simple enough; besides, we were going to see something that is honestly almost impossible to miss, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This mammoth church sits…
Day: 231
Towns / Cities Visited: 148
Countries Visited: 25
Steps Taken Today: 16,322
Steps Taken Around the World: 3,803,585
Indulging in a lazy Sunday morning sleep in, we rose a little later than normal before readying ourselves and catching the tram back into Florence. Unlike the previous day, the tram ride was far less jam packed, and far less eventful: a fact the three of us were all grateful for. Alighting, we wandered leisurely to the first of our two art centred destinations for the day; Galleria dell’Accademia. This art museum was founded in 1784 and houses a huge…
