Honeymoon: Day 4

We woke early on the 23rd to catch the shuttle at 6:15.  We had learned our lesson with cabs in Paris, and opted for the economy shuttle back to the airport.  Breakfast wasn't supposed to be served until 7am, but our friend from the front desk had started baking the croissants early and we were able to have a quick breakfast before hitting the road.

The flight to Rome was only an hour and a half, but seemed much longer due to the screaming child two rows ahead of us.  He was crying when he arrived at the gate an hour before the takeoff, and continued to cry until he finally fell asleep under the seats on the airplane 30 minutes into the flight...... thank goodness.

It didn't take long to gather our luggage and head out to find a taxi.  Our driver was named Massimo, and he scared me to death.  The posted speed was 80km per hour, and he was driving 140km.  I've not checked to see how many miles per hour this is, but I do know that it was fast enough to terrify me in the cab.  He drove in two lanes at once.  He passed cars when there wasn't room.  He slammed on his brakes at the very last moment.  I am thankful that Jtl did not have any injuries from my death grip on his hand during that very long drive.  He did point out a few sights along the way.  He also charged us 60 Euros for our trip from the airport, but offered to take us back to the airport for a mere 40......so generous, right?  We took his number and went to check into our hotel.

We stayed at Hotel Tarmino.  We had to climb two flights of stairs to check in at the front desk.  Our room was ready, and we headed up the next couple flights to find our room...... which was actually more of a suite. Marble floors, king size bed, desk in the entry and an entire REAL bathroom.  It was wonderful.

Heading out to explore Rome, we noticed that everything around the hotel was run by Chinese people.  Even the signs were in Chinese, but after a few blocks we found Pizza Yok.  It was wonderful.  We were able to get a square of sausage and mushroom pizza, a beer and glass of wine for 12 Euros.......and it tasted wonderful even without red sauce.

From there we followed the map around town.  The weather was nice at first, but the rain began to fall about an hour into our exploration.  We still saw three Basilicas and more statues and fountains than I could keep track of.  When the rain began, there were Italians everywhere offering to sell us umbrellas.  By this time we were soaked, and just kept going.  Jtl used his gps to get directions back to the hotel, but I was able to get us back on track.

This looks like a split shot, but is actually looking across at the altar with the chapel below.......so beautiful.

Second Basilica we visited on Day 4

We rested for a bit, and headed out for dinner at a restaurant two blocks from our hotel that the man working the desk suggested.  It was wonderful.  I had Scaloppine ai Funghi Porcini and Jtl had Veal Saltimbocca.  Both dishes were amazing and the table red wine was wonderful.  We split a tiramisu for dessert.  This was unlike the tiramisu that I have always seen in AR........but it was sooooo good.  The couple next to us joined us for a bit after dessert.  They were celebrating their 25th anniversary, and had been given the trip as a gift.  They were from Germany, and the wife did not speak any English.  The husband spoke some, but still we had difficulty with our conversation.  It was the first time we've met anyone while traveling outside the US that weren't from Canada.  haha!

Veal.  Not pork.

The owner of the restaurant sent us lemon sorbet to finish the night before we went back to the hotel to crash.  It was a wonderful first day in Rome.