Leely2

Thanks for the reply and for wrapping up this wonderful report. Glad you all had such a good time. And don't despair; I've been on a couple of last-family-trips-to-Europe (with my mom and sister)--and I'm in my 30s!

mariebut

I have loved your report Dina and found lots of valuable information. Our trip is also 'our last family trip together' as our girls are also heading to uni and driving too.(18 & 16) I know they will head to Europe themselves in the coming years but it will always be very special that we shared this first trip together. (and being so far away in Australia I will feel more comfortable knowing they have already been with us!!)I'm already thinking about our first 'alone' trip for our 25th anniversary in 3 years time!! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

dina4

Thanks so much everyone for your warm comments. I'm glad I was able to offer some helpful information.

Mikster-

Here are the lunch places that were closed on Sunday, all highly recommended by people on this board:

In Forno Rosocioli: 34 via dei chiavari
Excellent pizza Bianca and sandwiches

Trattoria da Armando al Pantheon: 

Salita de’ Crescenzi, 31


Antonio al Pantheon on Via dei Pastini 12.

As I was going through my notes, I also found the places that we went to that were fairly mediocre, in our opinion;

Gusto (Piazza Augusto Imperatore – corner of Via della Frezza & Via de Corea nw of the Spanish Steps) -- had lunch here and were fairly disappointed

Pizzeria al Fontanone, Piazza Trilussa, 46
-- this was in Trastevere, had dinner here, and it was fine.

Have a great trip!


An thanks again everyone!
Dina

mikster

Thank you very much!

Dayle

Mille grazie dina! I enjoyed my vicarious trip with you and the fam. I don't know when I'll be able to afford the next one, but I do feel myself inching toward Sicily and the Aeolian Islands....

dina4

me too, Dayle! on both counts -- not knowing when i'll be able to afford to go and also thinking seriously about Sicily!

Dayle

Only in my thoughts so far...

fly in to Naples
overnight ferry to Lipari
Lipari 5 nts
ferry to Sicily
10 - 12 nts moving around a lot
then either 2 nts Naples
train to Rome
3-4 nts Rome

How does that sound to you?

dina4

sounds amazing! hope you can go soon!

Grassshopper

Thank you Dina for this lovely report. I know how you feel about your time for traveling with your children coming to an end. But you're just entering a new and different phase. My travel companion on my trip to Montalcino will be my grown daughter. I'm really looking forward to two weeks away with her.

dina4

hi Grasshopper,

I'm so glad I enjoyed the report,
and how lovely that you are traveling with your daughter!
What a wonderful treat that must be.

Have a fantastic trip!!

dina

sfo2hnl

Hello dina4

Your report was great!Could you tell me were you stayed in Rome? This will be my first time there and quite perplexed on where to stay and what area. Thxs for your advice.

dina4

We have stayed at Hotel Due Torri. It is in a great area, a very close walk to Piazza Navona. It is a sweet, friendly place -- nothing fancy. We were able to get a quad room for under 300 euro, so a double would be substantially less. Some rooms, I hear have terraces, but we did not have one.

Other times, when we have enough Starwood points, we stay at the Westin Excelsior in Rome. It's located conveniently to the Borghese Gardens and the S[anish Steps, but it's a good 15-20 minute trek to the historic areas, which in my opinion makes it a less ideal location.

My ideal location would be to stay near the Pantheon or Navona area.

Have you checked out Franco's thread about Roman neighborhoods? It is very helpful to learn the pros and cons of each neighborhood.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...odistricts.cfm

Good luck!
And glad you liked my report.
thanks,
Dina