Since my last post I’ve made some moves both physically and mentally. I feel pretty much at home in Lisbon now but started watching too much TV. That Netflix will really get you going. Anyway, I think I told you I went on a little cruise around the Mediterranean with a friend. We hit some great spots including Menorca, Marseille (I recommend it), Monaco (I don’t recommend it), Elba, Corsica and finally Rome.

Headed off to Siena from the port in Rome when our bud Mario picked us up. I hadn’t been to Siena before and I have to say, it was impressive. I didn’t know what I had missed. There are so many gates to the old city that it’s very easy to get lost. The cathedral is other-worldly.

Heading to Rome with the Coliseum on my list. Yes, I’ve seen it before but not since they opened up the inner workings. It’s pretty awesome.

One can download an app to get access to the various historical sites. It helps to skip some of the lines.

There are also several Palazzo’s that are deserving of a visit: Palazzo Venezia, Palazzo Farnese and a must-see, the Sistine Chapel. You’re out about 30 euros is you want to skip the line, but it is worth it. And you get the best “bang for your buck” if you go in the evening just before it closes. You’re allowed to spend a good amount of time (1 hour in my case) without the normal rush through. And the tourist groups are minimal. No photos here because they do not give the experience justice and, even now after several weeks of being away from Rome, the remembrance is sublime.

Of course it might have something to do with the fact that I am looking out on a beautiful bay in Mallorca right now, so peace and tranquility reign. Lucky, lucky, lucky.

And to complete the trip to Rome, one must have a Tartufo at the Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona.