It was a 9 minute walk from our hotel to the Borghese Gallery. I am so glad I we got our tickets before we left home. All tickets were sold out today. We wandered through the park, the store and enjoyed the view from outside before we checked my bag and went in. I loved it! The art can speak for itself.
Our hotel has a breakfast terrace overlooking the city. What a view. We are seated by table. It I a buffet breakfast that reminds me of our Caribbean adventures. The best part was the amare, or Seville orange. We see them on the trees along streets. (Later Barbara told me that the oranges we see on the trees are very sour and not used to eat.)
The Romanico Palace is a bit dated and could use some work. The staff are very helpful. The breakfast terrace’s view is amazing. The food is good but not really authentic Italian. It is so fun to be able to walk to the Spanish Steps and the Borghaese Gallery from here. The location and staff are why I would return here. Off on our own adventure today!
Tim and I had a leisurely morning cleaning and getting ready to go. We made our way to Moncton and checked our bags. We did not need to go through security for a bit, so we grabbed something to eat at Cafe Archibald. We stopped at a pharmacy and Costco to kill a bit of time. I found a book to read on the trip. I already had two packed but one can never have too many books. Finally, we headed to the hotel to park our car and start this adventure.
Tim parked at the hotel. I could not believe there was a goose on the lawn of all the animals. We got our carry on bags but of course I left my shawl on the backseat so had to go get it. This became a theme, remember Cheryl’s stuff. The taxi took a few minutes to come.
The security process was easy. It helps to have an expert in the family. I had a chat with the guard as we waited for Tim to go through. He trained in Halifax too. It was nice to wait and enjoy the company in Moncton. You know who you are.
The flight from Moncton to Montreal was only an hour and twenty minutes. Enough time for us to figure out the laptop and for me to start the book I got at Costco, ‘Homecoming’ by Kate Morton. We rushed to get to our gate thinking we did not have a ton of time. But we were faster than we thought. I had time to relax on the fancy seats. It was cosy and so nice to stretch out and read about food I was planning to try in Italy. Tim charged the ipad and watched some shows while we waited.
Our flight to Rome left on time we were at the back of the plane. It was really full I was so glad I had checked my bag. There was a family with a toddler and baby just in front of us. I drank my Starbucks latte on take off. The flight was long. I had the chicken, and Tim had the pasta for supper. I knit a sock, decided I did not like it, ripped it out, and read. I was able to sleep a bit. The baby woke me once but overall those kids were better flyers than me. We had yogurt and a croissant for breakfast. It was so beautiful flying over Europe and Italy in the morning light. The landing was very smooth. We are in Italy. WOW!
We were slow getting off the plane but had no problem getting our bags nor going through customs. Our shuttle had our name on a sign as we left the secure area. It was so easy to have someone show us where to go. We were walked through the maze of cars to our shuttle. The drive to Hotel Romanico Palace was nice. Our driver mentioned that May 1st is a school holiday so there are lots of students in town right now. It was not as long as I expected from the airport to the hotel. I love the umbrella pines in Rome. The landscape is so beautiful, but the Rome is so busy with traffic and so many people.
Our room would not be ready until 2. It was around 11am. We stored our bags and went walking. First, I wanted to see the flower covered Spanish steps. It was were we first were among the crowds. Tim got some great shots of me in the flowers. There where a number of school groups getting pictures on the steps too. We wandered. Got a bit lost. We stopped and grabbed a smoothie in a piazza. Someone was playing music on the corner. It became our routine, if lost take a break: smoothie, gelato, or spritz all work to calm down and figure out where we are.
Eventually, we found Trevi Fountain. It was surreal to actually be there. But, I was getting so warm. I should not have left the bamboo tights on from the flight. I was feeling ill as we entered the busy ‘Piazza di Trevi‘. There was a little gelato and treat spot on the corner, Bar Gelateria, where we got sweet treats so I could run to the washroom. In Italy, you either pay for a washroom or stop and buy something at a cafe to use the facilities. I had wanted to try the sweet bread filled with cream, “Maritozzi” (I think) and of course an espresso. It was so beautiful and relaxing. Tim got a great video here but I just needed to sit and cool off a bit. You can see above my head Aperol for the spritz. I did not find the drink until Florence.
It was getting close to 2 pm so we went back to check in. Let’s be honest we got lost then found ourselves again before we checked in. We both crashed. I fell asleep before I could do anything else. Tim unpacked a bit but then crashed too. after a good sleep we showered and got ready to head out again. I really wanted to explore on our own while we had time. I also wanted to get on to Italian time as soon as possible.
This time we were planning to go for dinner but another walk first. Took a picture in front of the Fontana del Triton and passed so many galleries, fountains, and churches… so many. I took pictures, so many pictures. We got lost again but had nowhere to be so it was no problem.
We stoped at two different places to eat but both were busy and loud so we left. Then we saw a gelato spot. We are on vacation so gelato for supper. I got the traditional pistachio and hazelnut mix, but added a dash of cream with egg to taste. I loved them all. Tim got the large cone, so 5 flavors: after eight, cream and egg, dark chocolate, lemon and one other that I forget. Of course as we were walking with our gelato, we saw two nicer spots for supper on a quieter street. Instead we went to the Spanish steps for sunset. It was so beautiful. The pictures did not capture it.
Tomorrow the Borghese Gallery and we meet with our tour guide and group. Our tour guide had her birthday a day before Tim this year. I am looking forward to meeting her.
This was a crazy semester with a month long Faculty strike near the end of term. Yesterday I finished marking. Today we fly to Italy! I need this vacation.
About a year ago we booked the Insight Vacations Best of Italy bus tour. A year of anticipation and planning led to today. Tim and I are so excited. We have spent weeks packing and repacking, planning, and dreaming. It is a bit surreal that the day is finally here.
I am going to do photo dumps here for those when wish to come along with us. I am so excited.
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