Vatican City

Our time in Rome was coming to an end. We were all starting to get really sad about leaving but we still had one thing to check off...

Vatican City of course! We bought our tickets ahead of time which I highly recommend doing. We also purchased a guided tour while we were there. I am happy we did since we had limited time! 

The Vatican is the second largest museum in the world. When you go to the Vatican you are also in a different country, crazy right?

The first stop on the tour was the courtyard. We learned all about the history of the Sistine Chapel from our guide. Since pictures are not allowed in the chapel this is the only photo I got of it. 

After learning & admiring the amazing artwork we were about to see, we proceeded through different parts of the Vatican.

The Vatican contains some of the most famous paintings & sculptures. They are all throughout the museum & gardens.

^ The sculpture that Michelangelo used as inspiration for God in the Sistine Chapel. 

^ One of my favorite rooms. It's filled with painted maps that are still accurate! 

^ The view of Rome from inside the Vatican.

After going through different parts of the Vatican, we entered the Sistine Chapel. We were only allowed to be in the chapel for 20 minutes. You can imagine how amazing it is. You are literally surrounded by art! I think everyone has his or her own experience in the Sistine Chapel so I don't want to ruin it. It's a must see!

^ On our way into St. Peter's Basilica. 

^ When I stepped into St. Peter's my jaw literally hit the floor. It is so gorgeous! 

^ Oh you know, just trying to take pictures of us & St. Peter's in all it's beauty! 

^ After St. Peter's we looked around the museum by ourselves. Shortly after we got kicked out & shut the place down.

We got one last photo & said Ciao. 

Tips to Vatican City:

1. Plan ahead & purchase your tickets in advance.
2. Skip lines into St. Peter's by taking a tour with a guide.
3. Plan a whole day for the Vatican & don't RUSH!
4. Try to see as much as you can!
5. Watch out for pickpocket's especially in St. Peter's! We saw a guy going around & reaching into people's bags. Be aware of your surroundings!
6. If you have time go to the top of the dome. I hear it's amazing!

Other posts from Rome:

1. Falling for Roma
2. The Pantheon & Spanish Steps
3. The Colosseum & the Roman Forum

*Photos in this post are from Will Attwood-Charles & me.

Xo,

Emily

DC Holiday

I wasn't in the holiday spirit after returning from my vacation. We spent Thanksgiving in Prague & I really didn't feel like Christmas was right around the corner. When I got home I felt like I had been hit in the face with all things Christmas. I figured it was time to come back to reality & attend some parties. So that's what I did this past weekend (obv!)

My friend Terrell invited a couple of friends over for craft night. She also made the prettiest drinks + food.

If these drinks don't get you into the holiday spirit, I don't know what does! 

The food wasn't half bad either ;)!

We made ornaments for her tree, such a cute idea! That's my Kate Spade inspired polka-dot ornament (haha!) I never said I was good at crafts ;).

Now I was officially feeling the holiday vibe! On Saturday, I met up with Zach at the Sculpture Garden to go ice-skating.

DC is so gorgeous! I love ice-skating in the nations capitol. If you are visiting or live here I highly recommend going. It's so fun + you can't get much better scenery!

It took us sometime to get used to being on the ice again. But once we got the hang of it we were rocking & rolling!

We had so much fun!

After ice-skating we checked out the holiday market downtown. I love markets like this! You can find unique gifts & yummy treats. Check it out!

Before we headed home we got a treat at DBGB & we looked at the Christmas tree downtown.

Now I am officially ready to go home for the holidays!

Shop the post:

Xo,

Emily

The Colosseum & The Roman Forum

On our third day in Rome we stepped back in time & learned all about Roman history. First, we headed to the Colosseum to see where 50,000-80,000 spectators would come to watch the gladiators.

Imagine arriving at the Colosseum & coming through the arch into an amphitheater filled with a screaming crowd. It's pretty incredible to stand before the arch, take in the size of the Colosseum & imagine what it was like in it's glory days.

Now let's go in, shall we?

^ The first thing I saw when I walked in was a cross & the bright sun. Then I looked around, I was standing in the Colosseum! It took me a second to adjust. It seemed surreal!  

^ The Colosseum was built in 80 AD & is partially ruined from natural disasters + stone robbers. But it is an iconic symbol in Roman history. Isn't it mind blowing to think how old these buildings are?

^ Where they would keep the gladiators.

^ The nose bleed section of the Colosseum. Then we looked out onto the Arch & the Roman Forum from inside. 

^ After visiting the Colosseum we walked around the Roman Forum. 

^ The Altare Della Patria is absolutely stunning. I couldn't get over the view!

^ Watching the sun come down, I mean seriously how gorgeous is this?

We truly stepped back in time & experienced ancient Rome. We had more to see! Next up was Vatican City.

Xo,

Emily