Navigating the trains, streets and sights of Rome is way more complicated than guiding a boat across the ocean! Add in two tired, overwhelmed boys and you get a family bonding opportunity! I may sound like a commercial, but thank goodness for Rick Steve's Italy audio tour downloads. Instead of tired bodies fumbling through the guide books while blankly staring at sites like the ruins of the Colosseum, we were entertained and informed by these down home audio tours. We also visited the Pantheon, Sistene Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. All were of course spectacular - but the thrill is lessened when you're shuffling through w/ the masses . We didn't know that October is still high season in Italy - huge crowds and no vacancies. In Florence, Rome and now Lucca we've been staying in small affordable apartments rather than hotels. They've been "cozy" but well located. The place we're at now in Lucca (Tuscany) is a bit roomier which is great b/c we're staying here ten days. We're living inside the historic walled city and we've rented bikes for the week (so happy to get on a bike!!) There is a tree lined 3 mile loop on top of the wall that is showing off it's fall colors. Being "inside the wall" is kind of like being on the island (i.e. Alameda) - don't leave unless you must!
Photos here