September 14: Rome

"Welcome to Ciao Roma, the 'Eternal City', with its ruins, imposing monuments, statues and fountains." Stephanie was reading from the guidebook again. We had trained, bused and ferried our way to Rome, and after an amazing meal and good night's sleep, Stephanie was trying to decide on a game plan to see EVERYTHING. I had other ideas for my princess.

"Steph- have you ever seen Roman Holiday?"

Steph looked up from the book and her smile lit up her whole face.

"Oh my, YES!"

"I would like to make today your own version of all Audrey Hepburn experienced during the movie- except getting arrested and escaping security by jumping in the river."

Steph laughted, "Are you sure we should skip getting arrested?" God I love this woman.

First things first, Stephanie got her hair cut and styled by a man who really knew how to cut curly hair- she looked stunning. Next, I bought her a pair of strappy leather sandals, and then it was time for champagne in a sidewalk café. We deviated a little from the movie and actually eat a large breakfast, because Stephanie, I have learned, needs to eat on a regular schedule.

Afterwards, we walked over to the scooter rental place and got a Vespa for the day- all I can say is there is a lot more traffic on the road these days than when Peck and Hepburn were tooling around.

Steph was disappointed when we got to the Wall of Wishes, found along the Viale Del Policlinico street. The wall is no longer covered with all the tablets of answered wishes as the movie showed it. All the tablets were moved to the Santuario Del Amore church, which is about 15 km outside Rome, a few years after 'Roman Holiday' came out. They figured they would be better preserved that way, but now the wall just looks like an ancient fortress wall.

We took pictures placing our hands in The Mouth of Truth ('Bocca della Verita') and then checked out the Palazzo Barberini which served as the Embassy the princess in the movie escaped from, the 'Arco di Settimio Severo' (The Arch of Septimius Severus), where Peck finds his sleeping beauty, and his apartment Via Margutta 51, which is between two well-known Roman squares, Piazza Del Popolo and Piazza Di Spagna. The Vespa was great with all the crazy traffic and we next headed to the Piazza Venezia and the Vittoriano monument. Steph had us stop and take pictures EVERYWHERE. I just hope we remember everything when the pictures are developed.

We took a break at midday and had a lovely lunch at a small café- I swear that the wine Steph ordered was cheaper than the soft drink I had.

That afternoon, we visited the Coliseum and took the tour, then got gelati near the Spanish steps. And of course no trip to Rome would be complete without making a wish at the famous Fontana Di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) - but that might be a different movie…

As a special treat, I made dinner reservations at Lian Bistrot, Lungotevere Dei Mellini 7, 00193 Rome near the Ponte Sant' Angelo bridge and Castel Sant' Angelo fortress. Docked on the Tiber river, the restaurant is a docked wooden boat with live band and dancing in the late evening. As we boarded, Steph asked if I was sure I didn't want to take a swim. I laughed out loud. This girl is pure joy!

We danced till closing and then headed back to our little hotel. Tomorrow would be a big day. We were heading for the Vatican. Pope John Paul II would be saying mass and Stephanie wanted to see the Sistine Chapel… Steph was like a kid the night before Christmas.

"Joe, everything was just perfect." Steph hugged me tight and brushed a kiss on my lips. "You thought of everything to make today special. And now we get to see the Pope. He had been in New York in 1979, and Grandma took us to a corner in the South Bronx to stand and watch as his motorcade went by and I swear he looked right at me and waved."

"Anything for you, Princess." And I meant it.