When in Rome....

After our amazing win to cap an excellent 3-0 record in Italy we boarded the bus on Sunday to head to Rome for our final two days of the trip. We headed on the four hour bus trip through the scenic Tuscany Region. We arrived in Rome at 3pm and had a couple of hours to unpack before we headed into Rome for our walking tour with a local guide. First stop, the Colosseum, or as it is know to Romans, the . This is the hugest structure of its type in Ancient Rome, it took about ten years to build and was the centre of ancient Rome entertainment with gladiatorial and animal combats. Probably the top tourist attraction in Rome. We did not go in the Colosseum but some of us went in the next day, including myself. It was an amazing sight with part of the floor having been renovated. It actually held a Paul McCartney concert, invite only!

We then walked around the ancient city, stopping a the Roman Forum, the Piazza Venezia, the Trevi Fountain, the spanish steps and finally the Pantheon. Over the course of the two days everyone explored and went into some of these structures. They were truly amazing sights and the team was very impressed. On the Monday afternoon, our tour guide Antonella was able to get us a reservation for the Vatican, we were able to skip the 3 hour line, and got a guided tour with headsets around the Vatican. This to many was the highlight of the trip. My description would never do the Vatican and especially the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica justice, so all I ask is that if you get opportunity, visit this inspirational wonder of the world.

That night we celebrated our last night in Italy together in the hotel sharing our memories of the trip. We thanked our tour guides, Antonella and Stephania, and John and I thanked all the players for making this trip of a lifetime an experience that we will all never forget. I couldn't be prouder of my team and the men's team and I am truly blessed that I was given this opportunity. Now the hard work starts, roll on preseason next week!!