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Gelato, Gondolas, and Gladiators: Last Day in Rome

Writer's picture: Rachel VelthuisenRachel Velthuisen

Updated: Oct 31, 2024

Day 4: Rome - Cooking, Churches, and Culinary Delights


They say the way to a family's heart is through their stomach, and on our last day in Rome, we put that theory to the test! Despite the rainy weather, this turned out to be our favorite day of the trip so far. Here's how we spent our last day in the Eternal City before heading to Florence.


Morning: Becoming Italian Chefs


The highlight of our day (and possibly the entire trip) was a fantastic Italian pasta cooking class I'd arranged through one of my travel partners. With the rain pouring outside, it was the perfect indoor activity.


Our chef was absolutely incredible, providing both expert demonstrations and entertaining commentary. The kids (11, 14, and 15) were fully engaged, their hands covered in flour as they learned to make ravioli and fettuccine from scratch. Who knew making pasta could be so much fun?


The real genius of this activity? I'd planned it so that our culinary creations would be ready just in time for lunch. Talk about killing two birds with one stone - a fun activity and a meal all in one! And let's not forget the gorgeous tiramisu we whipped up for dessert.


To top it all off, the adults enjoyed a glass of wine and a taste of limoncello, while the kids sipped on some special non-alcoholic drinks. It was a feast we'd created ourselves, making it taste all the more delicious.


Pro Tip: When traveling with kids, especially teens, look for interactive experiences like cooking classes. They're fun, educational, and create lasting memories.





Afternoon: Fountains and Failed Library Visits


After our culinary adventure, we braved the now-drizzling rain to explore Piazza Navona. The square is home to three impressive fountains: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro, and Fontana del Nettuno. Even in the grey weather, these baroque masterpieces were a sight to behold.


We then attempted to visit the Biblioteca Angelica, Europe's oldest public library dating back to 1604. Unfortunately, our bookish plans were thwarted - they were filming a movie there! While disappointing, it was exciting to see Rome's living history being used as a film set.





Evening: The Pantheon, Dinner, and More


After a brief rest at our apartment (a must with teens!), we set out for our final evening in Rome. First stop: the Pantheon. We took an audio tour, which was fascinating. Did you know the Pantheon has an open ceiling? It as neat to see rain falling through it. It's also a practicing church now, a fact that surprised us all.


For dinner, we hit the jackpot at Taverna del Seminario, easily one of the best meals we had in Rome. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend it!


On our walk home, I couldn't resist peeking into every open church we passed. Each one was a treasure trove of beautiful paintings and architecture. It's moments like these that make you realize how every corner of Rome is steeped in history and art.


And of course, no day in Rome is complete without gelato. As we enjoyed our final scoops in the Eternal City, we reflected on our incredible four days and looked forward to our next destination: Florence.





Reflections on Our Roman Holiday


As we packed our bags that night, we couldn't believe how much we'd seen and done in just four days. From ancient ruins to homemade pasta, Rome had given us a perfect blend of history, culture, and culinary delights.


What struck me most was how engaged our teens had been throughout the trip. Whether it was asking questions about Roman history, getting their hands dirty in our cooking class, or simply appreciating the beauty of a centuries-old church, they'd shown a level of interest that warmed this travel-loving mom's heart.


Tomorrow, we're off to Florence. Will it live up to the high bar set by Rome? Stay tuned to find out!


Have you ever taken a cooking class while traveling? How did it go? I'd love to hear about your experience.

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