On November 9th, 2024, a few weeks ago, I was honoured to show the highlights of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica to Julie, an adorable, smart, super organized and fun lady from the United States of America. We continued with a fun food tour in the heart of Rome. I then realized Julie has created an amazing blog on her Italian holidays.
By the end of the day, I felt I was going to miss her. Here you find her description of our time together, and some pictures she posted. Have a look and enjoy it! GRAZIE JULIE!
The Vatican
My friends John and Tara Griffin highly recommended a tour guide they love, so I signed up for 2 tours on Saturday, my 2nd day in Rome, after the tour ended. She was amazing. She is an archeologist AND a wine sommelier, so I did her Vatican tour and a food and wine tour of Rome. It was another major highlight.
San Girolamo – St. Jerome, Leonardo da Vinci (ca. 1480), Pinacoteca, Vatican Museums
Cool art installation
Francesca was amazing and not shy at all about asking the docents if we could take shortcuts. She had no problem demonstrating the movement of this beautiful sculpture!
Sfera con Sfera – Sphere within Sphere, Arnaldo Pomodoro (1990), Vatican Museums
Food and wine tour with Francesca Romani
After our Vatican tour, I went on a delicious tour through the Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto. Great food everywhere, and Francesca is a food pusher! There was no need for dinner that night! I can’t even remember all the names of the delightful treats I ate. Cheese and amazing salami. Caprese salad with basilica and arugula. A fried dumpling with cheese and potatoes inside. A delicious creme filled dessert and much more. I ate more bread in one day than I have in a year! Anyone traveling to Rome needs to meet Francesca!
Me enjoying a delicious slice of spicy salami at Norcineria Viola, in Campo de’ Fiori
A glass of natural white wine at Tartarughe Bar e Bottega