Thanksgiving . . . in Rome

Celebrating Thanksgiving overseas is definitely different – schools are still in, work still continues – it’s as if it isn’t even a holiday, which it isn’t – here. So, we decided to celebrate a little differently this year. Chris took off work and we headed to Rome!

The kids studied up on some Roman topics during the week and we dove right into touring when we arrived. We believe we really did this trip properly as we hired a guide, who especially focuses on touring with children. We are completely sold on this way of touring! The kids stay entranced longer, the tour guides are sensitive to the kids’ needs, and we tend to learn more as well! Everyone is happy!

Our tour guide for our Thanksgiving afternoon was Vali. She took us all around the Vatican . . . on a scavenger hunt!

We found the papal crest all throughout the Vatican (and were able to point it out in subsequent days throughout the city).

The crest is in the center of the picture – notice the ‘keys of St. Peter’ that cross at the top.

We also saw many statues throughout the Vatican museum that were from Roman Mythology or other interesting stories.

Not only did we see the statues, but we found the ‘hidden’, interesting facts hidden inside them. Look more closely at the above picture . . . in the water jug!

It’s a face! We definitely would have skipped that little detail as we tried to speed through seeing everything. Loved our scavenger hunt!

Then we saw this sphere . . . it was de ja vu. There is a smaller scale one in Dublin that we had seen a month earlier at Trinity College.

Once we were done in the Vatican Museum, we were able to go into the Sistine Chapel.

We had talked extensively about the stories that were painted on the ceiling and walls so when we went in, the kids were able to find each picture and the little quirky items Michelangelo included. Strictly, no photos were to be taken inside, but it’s absolutely awe-inspiring!

St. Peter’s Basilica was a quick stop as they were preparing for mass. It is still the largest church in the world and is just beautiful inside.

Of course, this is where the Pieta staute by Michelangelo is kept.

As we exited all the buildings into the Vatican Square, we were all rewarded with chocolates for completing the scavenger hunt. The kids were more than thrilled!

After saying goodbye to Vali, we were off in search of a Thanksgiving feast. Being in Rome, you do as the Romans do . . . eat pasta and pizza! So, we did!

After we had our fill and were leaving, the restaurant owner and a chef offered to show Cami how they used the big oven to bake the pizzas. They had her roll out the dough and put on the sauce & cheese.