jubilada

Ger, I'd love to, but we fly out in the morning( Wed).
I knew the cobbles would be difficult, but not as hard as they were.

jubilada

We flew back Rome to BOS on Alitalia, comfort economy.
Well worth the extra bucks. A great flight, a great trip.
Next: maybe Le Marche.

HappyTrvlr

Jubilada, I have enjoyed your report on your Puglia/Rome trip. We leave for Rome next week and hope those crowds have disappeared!

jubilada

HappyTrvlr,
I hope so too but best to be prepared !

jubilada

I did just see a post on TA about the Sistine Chapel empty on a night tour.

HappyTrvlr

We have been there before so have luckily done the biggies. Thinking more of discovering the neighborhoods for a few days.
And as far as the wealth on display in Roman Catholic churches...my MIL was very Catholic and was so upset by the wealth in the churches in Italy and Spain so you are not alone. I felt the same way.

jubilada

If I ever go again, I will stay out of the fray. But I have many other places I'd rather go.

HappyTrvlr

To follow up on Rome and crowds- we are in Rome and yesterday Piazza Navona was almost empty, today more people were there, but still not over crowded. The Pantheon was busy but not crowded, nothing like Times Square which I avoid. I am so sorry that you had to deal with those crowds.

Toucan2

I think I was in London when you started your report, and somehow I have missed seeing it till now. I've happily started reading it, and look forward to reading the whole thing.

emcass

Great trip report. I'll be in Rome next month(after 3 weeks in Paris) and enjoyed reading about your experiences.
Lindg, if you're in Monopoli, think about going inland from Andria to Montegrosso for lunch or dinner at Antichi Sapori. One of the best meals of my life, and very authentic and reasonably priced. The chef's garden supplies a lot of the produce. Advance reservations a must.
Loved Trani. The light is unique.
I second the recommendation to visit Matera. We stayed in the sassi (in a cave hotel) for one night. Loved it.

Toucan2

I love the report. The food, the beaches, wandering through the towns. It sounds like you read discovered your love of Italy.

Sorry about the crowds in Rome. I have shared the link to the hotel where you stayed to some friends who will be visiting room for the first time in March.

Toucan2

*rediscovered

jubilada

I wanted to eat at Antichi Sapori but the timing never worked. Next time, I hope.

emcass

Jubilada, we wrote ahead and were fortunate to have the Trani synagogue opened for us. A beautiful white limestone interior. Starkly simple yet architecturally exquisite.
Here is some information about it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scolanova_Synagogue

TDudette

Just got back to this and echo all the Bravas, jubi.

After our first trip to the Vatican, we received a fund-raising letter from Catholic Charities--my first response was "You MUST be kidding". It casts a pall on many organized religions that put up huge buildings when there is so much need in the world. I also echo your 'no offense'!

jubilada

Emcass, wonderful.

Trani is a place I could spend a lot of time.

Centralparkgirl

emcass - I would love to see the Trani synagogue next spring. Who did you write to and did you write in English?

If one will be near Antichi Sapori for several days, would it be recommended to eat there more than once?