while planning for our grand first ever visit to ROME, i googled hadrian’s villa (villa adriana) and i saw a photo of THIS: and my jaw dropped. to the ground. right then and there, it became my main REASON for going to rome – to see this magnificently romantic pool with my very own eyes….

today, we had such a fun, carefree day! we danced and ate gelatos on the spanish steps, popped giant bubbles, played with pinocchio, and snacked on some porchettas by the pantheon! the smell of roasted chestnuts filled the air and combined with the magic of christmas, it all felt so comforting and peaceful, like we…