Day 2: Pizza and Piazzas

Despite sleeping in this morning pretty late (jet lag), we finally got out to really see the city today. And boy did we ever!

Flashback: Yesterday during lunch, we booked tickets to see a show that a friend told us about. It was an “immersive theatre experience” about Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel.

We thought we’d bought tickets for the 7pm show, but when we double-checked this morning, we discovered that we’d purchased the 2pm instead. By that point it was almost 12:30. Doable, but difficult. So we called and asked if we could change the tickets. They said yes, just come to the box office.

I’d thought about taking a cab or the Metro, but this being only my second day in Rome and with little time to decide, I opted to hoof it. Took me about 40 minutes, but I absolutely fell in love with all the streets and piazzas as I rushed through them. Wishing I had more time and all three of us were together. Was glad, though, that I’d brought my water bottle because it’s hot as Hades here and I filled it up a couple of times at the public water fountains (called Nasoni), which are a blessing.

Managed to get lost going back to meet Marsha and Madison for lunch, but only when I was almost there. Somehow I got on the wrong side of a giant Villa and a highway, so I eventually had to backtrack a bit.

They found a great little cafe across from the Villa Medici, called Caffè Ciampini that had wonderful food and an incredible view. We absolutely loved it and are thinking of going back.

From there we tried to visit the Villa Medici and got a little confused. What looked like the entrance actually said the National Gallery of France. Then when we followed a stone staircase up to the top, we found a graveyard and beautiful shaded gardens with a carousel and bike rentals. We soon realized that we needed to do more research. 

We followed the path down to the Palazzo del Popolo, which is huge and we just loved. Like many places in Rome, it has an obelisk in the center. But the thing we liked most was that this felt like we were really in ROME. So different from any place we’d been before.

From there we wound our way through the quaint streets on our way to the Pantheon (which I always get confused with the Parthenon). We absolutely love all the narrow streets here. Some are chock full of tourists, but most are reasonably passable and always empty out into quaint little piazzas. Many of which have a ristorante with outdoor tables.

The Pantheon had a huge line that wrapped halfway around the piazza, but it moved fast and we were at the entrance in no time. I hadn’t realized there was a dress code like the Vatican (no bare shoulders, no bare knees). We all three had our shoulders covered (they had scarves if you needed one), but we were all wearing shorts. They ushered us in anyway, which seemed to be the case for most people.

It’s beautiful inside and one of those places that you just can’t capture in a photograph. They do ask you to be quite as it is a place of worship. But with that many people inside, even the whispering carries. 

Finally it was time to head to our show. And fortunate for me, because after a bit we ended up on the same route I took this morning! I finally gotto show Marsha and Madison the Piazza Navona, the Via dei Coronari (beautiful street full of shops), and the Ponte Sant’Angelo.

I was especially excited to cross the Ponte Sant’Angelo. When I started learning Italian, I also started listening to Italian music. The video for one of my favorite songs, “Gocce di memoria” (Drops of Memory) was filmed there.

The show itself was interesting. We got headsetsfor English and there was a couple of times I took my earpiece out to hear the Italian. It was a combination stage show with actors, projections, lasers, fog, and dance. The story was interesting and made me want to learn more.

Afterwards, it was getting late and we were a little hungry, so we stopped off at a nearby cafe for pizza. Madison and I shared one with prosciutto,which was pretty good, while Marsha just skipped straight to Tiramisu for dessert.

Our final stop for the night was Trevi Fountain again, which was just as crowded as it was during the day. But even more beautiful. We just love it, despite having to fight our was through the crowds just to see it.

As we strolled up Via Veneto on our way back tothe hotel, I marveled at the little sidewalk cafes that are mostly enclosed. At one point, there were three in a row, one right after the other. There was also one that was even a Hard Rock. Perfect end to a wonderful day.

Ciao!

Day 1: Rome, If You Want To

We made it! Touched down in Rome around 9:30 this morning. The flight was pretty good, but despite all of our efforts to sleep on the plane, we’re still tired. But definitely excited. And having already been to the UK and France, much less anxious about navigating a foreign country.

Another reason that I’m less nervous is that I’ve spent the last two years learning Italian. Thanks to the recommendation of a friend, I found a system that really works for me. Now, I’m still at a beginner level, mind you. But I can manage simple conversations and read a menu. So I spent part of the flight doing my lesson and practicing the dialogue in my head for checking in at the hotel.

Getting through Da Vinci airport was a breeze. No card to fill out like in the UK. We took a monorail to Customs, where we got in a long line. Which moved really fast. They had lots of stations that scanned our passports and let us through. I’d also practiced answering questions at Customs. But didn’t get a single one (unlike the UK). In minutes we were all through.

Our bags were already on the carousel when we made it to baggage claim. We were on our way to the Leonardo Express train into Rome when Marsha was stopped by a shuttle company. It was the same price, so we did that instead for door-to-door service. Turned out to be a great choice.

It was cool seeing the wide-open Italian countryside as we left the airport and headed into the city. We passed lots of old apartment buildings and farms (where the hay was in rolls instead of blocks). Our driver was great, even if the idea of lanes seemed more of a suggestion than a rule. He even pointed out various sites along the way.

Check-in at the hotel was busy and it was noisy. So despite practicing the conversation in Italian, the clerks all defaulted to English, so I just stuck with it mostly. Plenty of more check-ins to come.

We're staying at the Westin Excelsior Rome (must be Stan Lee's favorite), which is just beautiful. It's near the Spanish Steps and on Via Vittorio Veneto, a beautiful street. The area is perfect.

Naturally, our room wasn’t ready (too early), so we checked our bags and headed out. I’d forgotten to download the Google map of Rome before we left, so my ability to navigate was slightly hampered. Because of the new International cell/data plan offered, we have to limit our data use. So Marsha was the only one with Internet today. But as I’d learned in London, the GPS feature still works (very handy). So once you get your bearings, you can still use it to guide yourself around.

Got us to the Spanish Steps just fine. Our first landmark! We entered at the top and worked our way down. There’s a ton of street vendors selling mostly hats and water. Marsha bought a hat and tried to get me one (I wanted to go to a particular shop I’d found online). The street hustlers here are everywhere, aggressive but friendly. Big on complimenting your shoes (don't fall for it).

We were getting hungry and were ready to eat. Plus it’s really hot out. I tried to lead us to a place on my phone, but couldn’t find it. Wasn’t sure if I had us on the wrong street, but it looked correct. Found out later I was correct and that they were permanently closed.

Instead, we found a little place nearby that offered A/C and didn’t look like a tourist trap (huckster outside, giant menu posted in English and with pictures) and had homemade pasta. The A/C wasn’t that great, but the food was pretty good. We all had Rome’s signature dish of cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper), except mine had bacon. Yum!

Afterwards, we found my menswear store using Marsha’s phone. The hats were reasonably priced, but Marsha didn’t like any of them. I was originally thinking of a European-style newsboy cap, but a ligh-colored Sinatra-style fedora seems more in fashion. At least for the tourists. Even the women. In the end, I still didn’t get a hat. 

We just love the narrow streets that are mostly cobblestone. Comfortable shoes are a must! Exploring is great. We found our way to Trevi Fountain which was hugely crowded as anticipated. But not as loud as I’d expected.

After getting a photo of Marsha and Madison tossing their coins in, we were getting tired. And very hot. So we decided to head back early and hope our room was ready. Thankfully, it was! Once we got settled in and had our bags brought up, we all three crashed for a few hours.

Tomorrow we sleep in and tackle the city refreshed and more energetic. No firm plans, just getting out and exploring.

Ciao!

Day 0: But Mostly Italy

Tonight as we sit on the plane flying across the Atlantic, I can’t believe we’re finally about to realize a lifelong dream. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to travel to Italy. And now it's finally happening.

Hasn’t been without its share of hiccups. Madison’s flight from LA had some issues and took off an hour late. We ran into traffic delays twice on our way to the airport, then all the long-term lots were full. Had to park in the slightly more expensive daily lot.

Madison just barely made her connection. They were already boarding our flight when she de-planed. Luckily, they’d moved her gate from the other side of the airport to right next door. So we had her Bojangles ready and waiting.

Once we were finally all on the plane together, it was pretty smooth flying after that. After all these years of dreaming and planning. We’re finally on our way!

Ciao!