Back from honeymoon in Rome...
Jun 3rd, 2004 | 03:10 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Back from honeymoon in Rome...
Sorry this is long.....
First of all I want to thank everyone that made this trip much easier. I posted several times, but was mainly a lurker. This board was so helpful, if not for all of you fodorites we would have been a complete mess, being that it was our first trip to Italy.
We flew with Lufthansa,plane was full,and my DH and I had separate seats. I told the flight attendant and she was so kind and sat us together. Also since I was carrying my wedding dress they stored it for me,and at the end of the flight they gave us a bag with some goodies and champagne! They were awesome. On our way there we got ok seats, but on our way back home we had nicer seats, with much more leg room. We landed in Frankfurt which is confusing,but we didnt get lost, nor went through security, and didn't miss our connecting flight.The flight from Frankfurt to Rome, had wonderful leather comfy seats. Wish they were like this on the 10 1/2 hours flight back home! The food was good. The crew was very helpful. I would defenitely fly with them again. We used airport connection for transfers to hotel. They charged 39 euros, private car ( mercedes).
We stayed mainly in Rome for 7 days. We stayed at Hotel Santa Maria, in Trastevere. It was AMAZING! The area is awesome and the hotel was great. The rooms were perfect! The breakfast was delicious ( eggs, meats, pastries, cappucino, etc)! Antonio was great! We loved this hotel, rates are slightly higher(207euros), but defenitely worth it. Trastevere is a busy place at night, but the hotel is behind some gates and was very quiet. Once we entered we couldnt hear a sound! Lovely hotel!
Since we were newlyweds we had the opportunity to see the pope at his Papal Audience. We got the opportunity to go up and be blessed by him. Defenitely the best experience ever! We obtained our tickets through Santa Susanna.
We mainly ate at the trattorias and hosterias in Trastevere. The food was wonderful and cost anywhere between $20-$40 for a complete meal for 2 including wine. I thought it was great! We ate at Carlo Menta, Il Vicolo, and La tana de Noantri(?). The latter one was delicious. Watch out for prices near the vatican, we didn't ask how much for a slice of pizza and it was as much as a meal in Trastevere. Defenitely our fault! I defenitely recommend trastevere as a place to stay and eat! Loved the ambience there.
We used public transportation (buses, taxis, and subway). We bought a 3 day pass at the tabacchi store for 11 euros each (?). We got lost several times, but loved it because we got to see so many other areas of Rome. It was defenitely fun.
We also did daytrips to Cortona and Montepulciano. It was wonderful! I loved the scenery and the look of these lovely towns. we went to the Contucci winery. The wine was wonderful, we brought back plenty of wine! These 2 little towns where beautiful and we enjoyed going there. We bought some marmalade, cheese, oil, vinegar, ceramics...
I also got a haircut in Rome. The best experience ever. I had my hair cut and colored by 2 handsome Italian men.Even thought my Italian is not great and neither was their English we had a blast! They were awesome! If anyone is interested the place is called Nicolai Capiobianco and he is near via condotti, between the spanish steps and pantheon.
We had a great time in Italy and can't wait to return back to Rome and to discover the rest this beautiful country has to offer! We loved Rome!!!! If I can be of any assistance to anyone please let me know! Thanks again to all for your help!
First of all I want to thank everyone that made this trip much easier. I posted several times, but was mainly a lurker. This board was so helpful, if not for all of you fodorites we would have been a complete mess, being that it was our first trip to Italy.
We flew with Lufthansa,plane was full,and my DH and I had separate seats. I told the flight attendant and she was so kind and sat us together. Also since I was carrying my wedding dress they stored it for me,and at the end of the flight they gave us a bag with some goodies and champagne! They were awesome. On our way there we got ok seats, but on our way back home we had nicer seats, with much more leg room. We landed in Frankfurt which is confusing,but we didnt get lost, nor went through security, and didn't miss our connecting flight.The flight from Frankfurt to Rome, had wonderful leather comfy seats. Wish they were like this on the 10 1/2 hours flight back home! The food was good. The crew was very helpful. I would defenitely fly with them again. We used airport connection for transfers to hotel. They charged 39 euros, private car ( mercedes).
We stayed mainly in Rome for 7 days. We stayed at Hotel Santa Maria, in Trastevere. It was AMAZING! The area is awesome and the hotel was great. The rooms were perfect! The breakfast was delicious ( eggs, meats, pastries, cappucino, etc)! Antonio was great! We loved this hotel, rates are slightly higher(207euros), but defenitely worth it. Trastevere is a busy place at night, but the hotel is behind some gates and was very quiet. Once we entered we couldnt hear a sound! Lovely hotel!
Since we were newlyweds we had the opportunity to see the pope at his Papal Audience. We got the opportunity to go up and be blessed by him. Defenitely the best experience ever! We obtained our tickets through Santa Susanna.
We mainly ate at the trattorias and hosterias in Trastevere. The food was wonderful and cost anywhere between $20-$40 for a complete meal for 2 including wine. I thought it was great! We ate at Carlo Menta, Il Vicolo, and La tana de Noantri(?). The latter one was delicious. Watch out for prices near the vatican, we didn't ask how much for a slice of pizza and it was as much as a meal in Trastevere. Defenitely our fault! I defenitely recommend trastevere as a place to stay and eat! Loved the ambience there.
We used public transportation (buses, taxis, and subway). We bought a 3 day pass at the tabacchi store for 11 euros each (?). We got lost several times, but loved it because we got to see so many other areas of Rome. It was defenitely fun.
We also did daytrips to Cortona and Montepulciano. It was wonderful! I loved the scenery and the look of these lovely towns. we went to the Contucci winery. The wine was wonderful, we brought back plenty of wine! These 2 little towns where beautiful and we enjoyed going there. We bought some marmalade, cheese, oil, vinegar, ceramics...
I also got a haircut in Rome. The best experience ever. I had my hair cut and colored by 2 handsome Italian men.Even thought my Italian is not great and neither was their English we had a blast! They were awesome! If anyone is interested the place is called Nicolai Capiobianco and he is near via condotti, between the spanish steps and pantheon.
We had a great time in Italy and can't wait to return back to Rome and to discover the rest this beautiful country has to offer! We loved Rome!!!! If I can be of any assistance to anyone please let me know! Thanks again to all for your help!
Jun 4th, 2004 | 12:09 PM
#6
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
Belle,
Sounds like you have been bitten by the Rome bug! Join the club!
Thanks for sharing about your trip... I too love the area of Trastevere especially at night. This past trip for me I was only able to go over there a couple times, but in October when I go back I?ll make it a point. There are such fantastic restaurants in this area.
I too posted a brief report on my recent Rome trip and I'm being totally lazy about completing it.
Glad you had a good hair experience - brave girl you are. I thought of doing this last time & was too chicken. Mind sharing the cost?
Congrats on your marriage too!
Ciao ciao, Eileen
Sounds like you have been bitten by the Rome bug! Join the club!
Thanks for sharing about your trip... I too love the area of Trastevere especially at night. This past trip for me I was only able to go over there a couple times, but in October when I go back I?ll make it a point. There are such fantastic restaurants in this area.
I too posted a brief report on my recent Rome trip and I'm being totally lazy about completing it.
Glad you had a good hair experience - brave girl you are. I thought of doing this last time & was too chicken. Mind sharing the cost?
Congrats on your marriage too!
Ciao ciao, Eileen
Jun 4th, 2004 | 03:59 PM
#7
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Belle0516: congrats on your wedding as you can see from my screen name, i am also getting married and going to ITALY for our HM!
I have a few questions for you:
I would also like to go see the POPE and we will be in Rome on Wednesday. How did you get to be in the audience and actually get his blessing? I mean i got the website to request tickets, but did you actually specify that you were newlyweds? when did you do it (specify you were newlyweds) when you initally requested the tickets or when you were picking them up in ROME? (my soon-to-be mother in law would be sooo proud of us)(get some bonus points with the in-laws)
Any info will be greatly appreciated! Thank you and Congrats again!
I have a few questions for you:
I would also like to go see the POPE and we will be in Rome on Wednesday. How did you get to be in the audience and actually get his blessing? I mean i got the website to request tickets, but did you actually specify that you were newlyweds? when did you do it (specify you were newlyweds) when you initally requested the tickets or when you were picking them up in ROME? (my soon-to-be mother in law would be sooo proud of us)(get some bonus points with the in-laws)
Any info will be greatly appreciated! Thank you and Congrats again!
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Jun 8th, 2004 | 01:00 PM
#12
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Sorry I just got a chance to reply.Been busy with work now that I am back. Thanks for all your great wishes!
Aughoneymoon- I specified in my email that we wanted newlywed tickets. Did you get them through santa Susanna? If not request them through them, I sent an email along with the original request they have online.You will need to take your formal wedding clothes and your marriage certificate,otherwise the guards will not let you in. Once you are in St. Peter's square you are guided to the top and will be seating like 6 feet from where the pope seats. There is special seating reserved for newlyweds. Congrats! Hope you have a wonderful time.
Shellio and bonniebroad- the reason I took my dress was because I had to wear it in order to see the pope and be blessed by him. Vatican requirements. I was so happy I did though, another woman there was wearing a regular white dress and the guards did not let her in. I enjoyed the attention though! Walking in Rome with your wedding dress on, and on a wednesday, you defenitely get tons of looks and get called Bella alot!
Aughoneymoon- I specified in my email that we wanted newlywed tickets. Did you get them through santa Susanna? If not request them through them, I sent an email along with the original request they have online.You will need to take your formal wedding clothes and your marriage certificate,otherwise the guards will not let you in. Once you are in St. Peter's square you are guided to the top and will be seating like 6 feet from where the pope seats. There is special seating reserved for newlyweds. Congrats! Hope you have a wonderful time.
Shellio and bonniebroad- the reason I took my dress was because I had to wear it in order to see the pope and be blessed by him. Vatican requirements. I was so happy I did though, another woman there was wearing a regular white dress and the guards did not let her in. I enjoyed the attention though! Walking in Rome with your wedding dress on, and on a wednesday, you defenitely get tons of looks and get called Bella alot!
Jun 8th, 2004 | 02:18 PM
#13
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
We were there on a Wednesday and saw all the newlywed couples being blessed. It did look like an amazing experience. . . how cool that you made arrangements to be a part of this tradition!! (I couldn't imagine dragging my dress all the way to Rome, though. Our suitcase was heavy enough!) I wish that I knew about your haircut experience when I was there. I think it would have been fun -- great haircuts are such a luxury. Of course, you'll have to go back regularly to maintain the cut, right?????
Were you able to take a picture of the Pope while you were up there? What exactly happened? Did you know what to say/do? I loved hearing the band play that day and watching everyone cheer as the Pope descended from the Basilica. Do tell!!
Were you able to take a picture of the Pope while you were up there? What exactly happened? Did you know what to say/do? I loved hearing the band play that day and watching everyone cheer as the Pope descended from the Basilica. Do tell!!
Jun 8th, 2004 | 02:28 PM
#14
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Great post! My wife and I went to Italy on our honeymoon and loved it as well. Everyone in Italy is a romantic and they treated us so well -- even before we said we were honeymooners.
I really don't think there is another place in the world that compares with Italy.
After I left Italy all I can think is these people have life figuerd out. They party, they eat, they drink, they smoke and they are so relaxed.
I hope you made sure to throw a coin in trevi fountain because then you will definitely go back to Rome.
I really don't think there is another place in the world that compares with Italy.
After I left Italy all I can think is these people have life figuerd out. They party, they eat, they drink, they smoke and they are so relaxed.
I hope you made sure to throw a coin in trevi fountain because then you will definitely go back to Rome.
Jun 8th, 2004 | 03:00 PM
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Belle,
I enjoyed your recap of your HM in Rome. Trastevere is a magnificent place, as is all of Rome. My parents were born just south of Rome in an area known as the Ciociaria, in Lazio. We love Trastevere, but stay mainly in the center, near the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. We have our own special places and go back to them once or twice a year. Next time, go out of Rome and visit the countryside, Amalfi, Ciociaria, Cinque Terre, etc.
Viva Bella Italia,
GaiusJulius
I enjoyed your recap of your HM in Rome. Trastevere is a magnificent place, as is all of Rome. My parents were born just south of Rome in an area known as the Ciociaria, in Lazio. We love Trastevere, but stay mainly in the center, near the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. We have our own special places and go back to them once or twice a year. Next time, go out of Rome and visit the countryside, Amalfi, Ciociaria, Cinque Terre, etc.
Viva Bella Italia,
GaiusJulius
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