Rome

This morning considering J had a large, heavy case, we decided to take a taxi to Rome.  If you travel light, the train and metro together cost €1.50 x 2 (a ticket allows a 100 minutes transport provided one doesn’t leave the station) The taxi cost €58.00 for a 50 minute drive door to door. 

As we left the hotel, we hadn’t realised that the road had been closed for an impending concert 

and the taxi man had to park and walk to our hotel. 

 

Italian roads are very busy but we made good progress and arrived at Seven, 249 Via Nazionale - a very convenient location. As we arrived at midday our room wasn’t ready but we deposited our luggage there.  

As J had never been to Rome, we set out to see the sights - the tourist sights in Rome are all very walkable though one might prefer to take a metro to the Vatican. 

Our initial call was at the Spanish Steps. We arrived at the top of the steps near the church of Trinity Del Monti. Having enjoyed a respite from the midday sun in the church, we took in the view and then walked down the steps 

into Via Condotti, 

here all international designers pedal their wares. We kept our credit cards securely on our person - no purchases!!!

We continued to the Trevi Fountain. En route we had a light lunch. On arrival, the place was thronged. J said we’d return this evening but I assured her it would be just as crowded!!  We took some photos and left. 

(My photographer forgot to include the fountain !!)

You cannot imitate a dip in the fountain as in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita unless you fancy a very substantial fine!! 

Next stop Monumento a Vittorio  Emanuele  11, who became King of a United Italy in 1861. Italy had not been united since the 6th century. 

We climbed the numerous steps to the summit and looked over Ancient Rome. 

We continued down Via Nazionale to our hotel Seven  close to Piazza della Republica, where we were shown to our room - an  ideal, well appointed, convenient and  inexpensive bolthole in Rome. I am resting before the evening’s offerings - J has gone shopping!!  

The Guardian newspaper had suggested a local restaurant Trattoria Vecchia Roma, a 10 minute walk from our hotel. There was a small queue as we had expected but we were quickly seated and partook of an excellent pasta and pizza. We got into conversation with an Australian couple from Melbourne, who were amazed when J said that she also lived there. They gave me some comfort in that their three children had all spent some time living in Europe but all now lived within 5 miles of their parents!! 

Tomorrow, we booked a tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatinate  Hill. Til then ......