Day 10 – Rome

Rome has a way of waking up with you. The piazzas were stretching their arms, fountains sparkling in the early sun, and that first creamy cappuccino set the tone for the day. Even the Vespas parked along the cobbled streets looked like they were ready for adventure.

This morning we had options—like a choose-your-own-adventure in the Eternal City. Some dove into Rome’s Renaissance and Baroque magic, where Caravaggio’s paintings glow from chapel walls and the Pantheon still steals the show centuries later. Others went deep into Rome’s Christian story, wandering through the Catacombs and standing in the quiet peace of St. Sabina on Aventine Hill. A few explored Rome’s newest archeological finds, stepping back into Augustus’ world at the Ara Pacis and his massive mausoleum. No matter the path, every corner seemed to whisper “la dolce vita.”

By afternoon, Rome belonged to us. We walked toward Capitol Hill, where Michelangelo’s grand piazza still feels like a stage set for history, but not before a pizza stop (naturally) and gelato that vanished faster than we’d like to admit. Along the way we laughed at quirky old door knockers, admired rooftop gardens spilling greenery into the sky, and paused at little shops filled with Roman helmets and shields. The streets buzzed with flashes of red and silver Vespas darting past—honestly, it felt like a movie.

And then, of course, Trevi Fountain. We kept coming back, like everyone does. The water thundered down in a rush while coins flew over shoulders. Chuck and Jimmy posed for photos, Jimmy snapped his selfies, and at one point even leaned down to drink from a Roman fountain like a local. Around us, the laughter of strangers blended with the rush of water, and it was impossible not to smile.

The evening slowed beautifully: charcuterie boards that seemed too pretty to eat, desserts dripping with cherry sauce, a little sip of Jimmy Bean shared with our guide, and that magical Roman moment when statues glow in the last light on bridges. We ended the night overlooking a glowing fountain framed by gardens, a view that made us all stop talking for just a second. Rome has that effect.

What an amazing trip!

I’ll be back in Italy in just 10 days. Stay tuned here to follow along as our next tour winds through Sicily, Puglia, the Amalfi Coast, and back to Rome.

I’ll also be leading a similar tour in Fall 2026.
Text me your email, and I’ll send you a list of upcoming tours: 615-474-5689
Or email me directly: chuck@CocosItalianMarket.com

If you’d like to travel to Italy with me as one of your personal guides, we go every spring and fall, just before and after high season (fewer crowds, more magic).

Visit: www.DestinationItalyByCocos.com
Text me your email and I’ll send you the full list of tours we have coming up.

Ciao for now,
Chuck