August, we stayed in the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel overnite - $165 for a
small room plus $1.33 for each of 2 local calls. Felt ripped off.
Gary left home wearing two different shoes so we had to find him some new ones
in Richmond.
Our flight left at 6am on Tuesday so it ws up at 330 and to the airport for 4am
(as told to do by Air Canada employee) only to find out that counters didn'open
until 430am. Oh well.
Flight to Rome via Toronto and Montreal was comfortable and pleasant with 2
good meals served between Montreal and Rome.
We arrive at the Rome airport at 725am on Wed 29 Aug and after a speedy
clearance through immigration we were on the train into the city by 805am.
After a short walk, we were at our hotel, Best Western Globus, by 9am only to
find out that we couldn't get our room until 2pm. No problems tho as the
Hotel looked after our bags, gave us access to a washroom to clean up in and
then fed us a complimentary breakfast after which we toured the town until 2 pm.
On our tour, we saw a fantastic Catholic Basilica built on the ruins of a Roman
Bath near the PIAZA REPUBLICA, visited the Visitors Centre and recced the local
area. We found out about the new Roma Pass which for only €20 gives one free
access to 2 museums, a discount on the others and a 3 dat transit pass. A
really good deal.
We checked into our large and airy room, at 2 and after unpacking headed off
for our first ROMAN pizza – Potato for Judy and a meat pizza for Gary. THEN
AFTER BEING UP FOR OVER 24 HOUS WE CRASHED.
August 30 –Today we toured Rome on the hopon/hop off bus ( €13) and then
visited the Colosseum (free with Roma pass) the Forum, Circus Maximus, Panatini
Hill, Trevi Fountain (yes we did throw in our 3 coins) and the Pantheon. All
are incredible. We had lunch at a small café near Trevi Fountain called the
News Café where they served us lunch after 3pm even tho the Kitchen was
closed. They also have the cheapest beer we have found. That nite we had
dinner at a Hotel near the railway station. We had the tourist meal special
which was only €15 and was OK but nothing to write home about. Also had first
of what will become many Italian Ice Creams-.
AUGUST 31 –Today we used another Hop on/hop off Bus to visit the ancient Apian
Way and saw the Aqua Duct, Catacombs and a old Roman house. After finishing
the Bus tour we stopped at a very nice restaurant for a very good(but
expensive) lunch and off course Ice cream – Home made and delicious. We then
toured the art gallery (bathroom break) and then walked back through a
different part of town to our hotel where we had a nice supper at the hotel
restaurant with a bottle of white wine (€5.00).
SEPTEMBER 1- Today we used our transit pass to get around town – very easy.
First we toured the Vatican area. We tried for the Sistine Chaple but to
crowded and we are to cheap to enrich the Catholic Church with reservation
fees. Instead, we had a great tour of the Castel d'Angelo near the Vatican,
and then had lunch with 2 good but expensive beers before heading off to the
Spanish Steps. We then mad our reservations for the train to Nice, Shpped in
the stores in the RR Terminal and had supper before going for a long walk in a
different direction from normal. On the walk we found this fabulous Ice Cream
store where for only €1.80 one gets a triple scoop cone of the best Ice Cream
we have ever had.
SEPTEMBER 2 – Off today using our transit passes on the Metro and train to
Ostia Antica, (the ancient Roman port which is being uncovered and restored)
Fabulous. After 4 hours there, we caught the train again and went exploring to
Lido Ostia, the beach area west of Rome. Our plan is to return there
tomorrow. After a beer at the beach, we caught the train and subway back to
our hotel where we had another excellent supper and the wentout for our €1.80
ice cream cone.
Our last day in Rome will be tomorrow and then on Tuesday its off to the ship
to start our cruise.
I expect that Wednesday or Thursday will be the next time I will up date this
Blog
CIAO
Gary
2 comments:
Glad you're having a grand time BUT sounds both exciting and tiring. Gary watch your waistline what with the food and wine. Jud' take care of the old guy. Loads of love
Hey Gary and Judy, we are really enjoying reading your blog. Hope that the cruise goes as well as Rome seems to have. We are so envious of your trip, it sounds super indeed. If you stand at the bar in restaurants it's cheaper than sitting down. And if you eat sandwiches or the like it's also cheaper and faster than a heavy meal at midday. xoxo Di and Lary too Ciao back to you
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