Rome, Florence, Pompei and Assisi

Maria and I have always enjoyed sharing our love of Italy here and on ItalyMammaMia.com. It started as our passion only... until we discovered how many others share the same passion for Italy. Now our Facebook community means you too can get involved.

That is exactly what Jana and Jean Xavier have done. Sharing their gorgeous photos and their experiences of a vacation to Rome and elsewhere in Italy.  

P.S. If you're planning a trip to Rome you'll want to check out the Santa Maria before you book anything.

Jean and Jana Xavier's Italy

Travel to Italy has always been a dream of ours and we realized that dream on February 2014!

Although here in my country, Brazil, there are many beautiful and different locations, we planned on making this our dream trip. After lots of thinking about where we should visit and months of research, we finally chose Italy. We are so pleased we did!

Everything was much better than we'd thought because each place told us a different story. We walked around places that we'd only known through photos. 

We had the privilege of visiting 10 cities in 7 days : Milan, Verona, Venice, Padua , Florence, Assisi, Rome, Pompeii, Naples and Capri and were very surprised with the history and unique beauty of each place.

Our first destination was Venice. We were surprised upon arrival because besides the beauty of the city , we were lucky to be there during the famous Venetian carnival,

Although we spent only a short time in Venice, we still managed to take a ride in a gondola, walk through the small and traditional alleys of the city, taste the famous gelato, and witness a costume contest in Piazza San Marco.

Another city that surprised us was Rome, with all its history that goes back more than 2000 years. Rome is a captivating blend of ancient wonders and modern life. We explored the iconic squares like Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Piazza Cavour, Piazza Venezia, the Trevi Fountain, and Piazza del Popolo. The grandeur of the Colosseum, the magnificence of the Pantheon, the spiritual aura of St. Peter's Basilica, the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, and the vast Vatican Museums left us spellbound.

Finishing our trip, we included a last-minute visit to Naples, the Isle of Capri, and Pompeii, and we were glad we did. Pompeii, once a thriving Roman city, was frozen in time when it was tragically buried under the ashes of Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 AD. As we strolled through the excavated ruins of Pompeii, we could imagine the bustling streets, the vibrant marketplace, and the daily lives of its inhabitants. It was a humbling experience that gave us a profound insight into the destructive power of nature.

The summary of this whole trip is that Italy is a country that is impossible to visit just once. Its rich history, cultural treasures, and breathtaking landscapes leave an indelible mark on your soul. Once we get the chance, we'll go back for sure, eager to explore more of this enchanting land and create new memories that will last a lifetime.

Jean & Jana

Rome

Assisi

Pompei

Florence