Italy: Rome Day Three
For our last full day in Rome, we decided to head out of the city center and take a six-hour bike ride through the aqueducts and Appian Way.
After two days, we finally got our shit together and brought all our documents with us. We even woke up early to accommodate a light breakfast. On our way, we stopped to take in some ruins, the Colosseum (again), and the general wonder that is Rome.
Our tour started right near the Colosseum and headed south. Along the way, our tour guide pointed out various churches and architectural points of interest. Did you know that Rome invented concrete? Yeah, me either.
Our first official stop was the Catacomb of Callixtus. You can't take pictures in there, but it's basically what you think -- a lot of tombs and holes in the wall. What I didn't expect were the many stories about early Christianity in Rome and the symbolism painted on a lot of the stones.
After a quick picnic near the catacombs (not as morbid as it sounds), we rode off to the Appian Way. Our guide told us how we were literally riding on the street that gave us the word "street." How cool is that?
Less cool? The fact that it's mostly cobblestone. My butt still hurts.
We followed the road toward the aqueducts, where I proceeded to be blown away.
We looped back around toward the city before stopping off for some wine and cheese at the "last farm of Rome."
After eating my weight in pecorino and drinking about a bottle of wine, we made our way back to the bike shop and then headed back to the hotel. That night we had the best dinner yet at Dar Sor Olimpio al Drago and then walked back to our hotel near the Pantheon and took it all in.
It was the perfect ending to our brief time in Rome.
-Jen
P.S. Stay tuned for a proper food post soon!
