Tuesdays day trip took us first to Carrara, where some if Italy’s best marble quarries are located, including the quarry where Michalegelo’s David came from. With an early morning departure via bus, our first stop of the day was Museo del Marmo, a small museum dedicated to all things marble! We saw some fabulous samples of marble from all over Italy after watching a short intro video. After our visit we wound our way up the steep, tiny roads to the quarry, where we were whisked away in small vans packed in like sardins back into the middle of the mountain. After a brief tour of the quarry we were back outside of the mountain where we were able to do some shopping. Of course since this was my last time here I couldn’t leave without buying something more, so with mortar and pestle, along with a cheese cutter in hand we were off, headed to see The Leaning Tower of Pisa. 

Marble samples

More impressive marble

Headed to the quarries

Mom and I inside the quarries complete with hard hats

Or so I thought! Mom and I had train reservations from Pisa to Roma at three o’clock, but Mother Nature had other plans for us. On our way to Pisa a crazy thunder / hail / rain / wind storm came out of nowhere. Giudi was kind enough to ask the bus driver to make a quick pit stop off to the train station, as walking into Pisa in a downpour and back with our luggage wasn’t likely ideal. But have no fear as soon as we grabbed a quick lunch and headed to a tabacchi to recharge phones the sun was shining in all it’s glory, oh well, I will have to try to sneak another attempt at holding that tower up in the next few weeks!

Our train to Roma was uneventful, except for the group of four Anerican women who were in the next car that kept us somewhat entertained. But not to worry they did to bother mom too much, I do think that she has quickly adapted to traveling by train!

This lady can sleep anywhere!

However, she was not a big fan of being smashed into the bus at rush hour attempting to get from the station to our flat, but I am thrilled to say she survived and likely will not be moving to any big cities anytime soon.

After checking into our flat we set off to visit St Peter’s, as I wanted to be able to see it at night. It was just as amazing at night, maybe even more, as it is during the day! It was so quiet and peaceful in the piazza, unlike the daytime! We then walked down to Ponte Sant Angelo to see the 10 angels that line the bridge.  The bridge also has a spectular night time view of the basilica and Castel Sant Angelo, an old fortress where the popes stayed when the citizens got firesty, it was commissioned by Hadrian as his family mausoleum.

St. Peter’s by night

St. Peter’s from Ponte Santa Angelo

We slowly wondered our way through the streets of Roma to Piazza Navona, which has quite the nightlife. We had only ever been there with Giudi early in the morning, I’m thinking when we come back in a couple weeks with friends we might need to check this area out! After a quick trip to the Pantheon, which of course was closed by this time, we managed to figure out the tram system and made our way back to Travestere, the neighborhood where we are staying. Based on a recommendation by our flat attendant we ate dinner at La Scalleta, and mom went all out, eating like an Italian! Meaning she had the fixed menu containing an antipasti, primi, secondi and dolci! With our bellies full we made our way back to the flat in hopes of a good nights sleep as we were attempting to get up early to see Papa Frank!