Rome - Lovely City
Aug 22nd, 2010, 05:59 PM
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Rome - Lovely City
We got to Rome around 18:00 on a very hot afternoon, we left Sorrento around 11:00 am took the train from Sorrento to Naples - Circumvesuviana (Train of Terror) and got right on time to take the 2:00 Frecciarossa to Rome. From Roma Termini we took a taxi to the apartment in Piazza Navona about 20 euros. We had been in Rome Termini twice before in transit, so we were kind of familiar on where to go, RT is very big for a first timer.
After we got the apartment's key we rested a little and decided to wonder around the neighborhood to check it out and have dinner. We were half of block from Pizzerias, Ice Creams parlors, boutiques, bars.
We noticed that the Pizzeria next door was getting a longer line by the minute, people were having huge ice cream cones while waiting in line. As we were hungry didn't even entertain the idea of joining the 40 people line and decided to keep walking.
We followed our little Roma book and ended up in Piazza Navona that was about 6 blocks away. We couldn't believe the ambiance of it. People everywhere, some watching someone playing a guitar, some others playing statues, some painting, etc. I couldn't believe the vibe of that place, it was so alive! You could see someone playing the guitar and not 50 mts away you had someone dancing to another tune, nothing would overplay, it was as everything was in its own bubble of space, so many colors, if that makes sense.
After checking Piazza Navona we turned around and ended up having dinner close to our apartment, entree, second, dessert, wine, water all for 8.00 euros each, one of the cheapest dinners in Rome.
When we came back home we took the name of the Pizzeria that still had a long line outside and later at home learned that it was Da Baffeto Pizzeria recommended in some Travel Books, so decided to check it out another day.
Our first night we had hard time sleeping as Da Baffeto entertains until the wee hours of the night and can get really loud, by our second night we were used to it or just so tired for our walks that had no problem going to sleep.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...affetto_rome-i
Rome Pictures
http://s970.photobucket.com/albums/a...mi/Italy/Roma/
After we got the apartment's key we rested a little and decided to wonder around the neighborhood to check it out and have dinner. We were half of block from Pizzerias, Ice Creams parlors, boutiques, bars.
We noticed that the Pizzeria next door was getting a longer line by the minute, people were having huge ice cream cones while waiting in line. As we were hungry didn't even entertain the idea of joining the 40 people line and decided to keep walking.
We followed our little Roma book and ended up in Piazza Navona that was about 6 blocks away. We couldn't believe the ambiance of it. People everywhere, some watching someone playing a guitar, some others playing statues, some painting, etc. I couldn't believe the vibe of that place, it was so alive! You could see someone playing the guitar and not 50 mts away you had someone dancing to another tune, nothing would overplay, it was as everything was in its own bubble of space, so many colors, if that makes sense.
After checking Piazza Navona we turned around and ended up having dinner close to our apartment, entree, second, dessert, wine, water all for 8.00 euros each, one of the cheapest dinners in Rome.
When we came back home we took the name of the Pizzeria that still had a long line outside and later at home learned that it was Da Baffeto Pizzeria recommended in some Travel Books, so decided to check it out another day.
Our first night we had hard time sleeping as Da Baffeto entertains until the wee hours of the night and can get really loud, by our second night we were used to it or just so tired for our walks that had no problem going to sleep.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...affetto_rome-i
Rome Pictures
http://s970.photobucket.com/albums/a...mi/Italy/Roma/
Aug 22nd, 2010, 06:12 PM
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On our second day we got up and had some breakfast with what we bought the night before on the little grocery store around the block.
We decided to check our little book and see what was close by foot.
My oldest was the navigator so I just followed his lead. We crossed Piazza Navona and after turning a small block we ended up on a little Piazza on front of The Pantheom that was already very busy.
I couldn't believe my eyes, "Is this The Pantheom? I thought", we entered The Pantheom and I was still in awe that I was there in rome, just a month ago going to Europe was such a far or foreign thought, not even possible.
We decided to check our little book and see what was close by foot.
My oldest was the navigator so I just followed his lead. We crossed Piazza Navona and after turning a small block we ended up on a little Piazza on front of The Pantheom that was already very busy.
I couldn't believe my eyes, "Is this The Pantheom? I thought", we entered The Pantheom and I was still in awe that I was there in rome, just a month ago going to Europe was such a far or foreign thought, not even possible.
Aug 22nd, 2010, 06:58 PM
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After taking hundreds of pics of The Pantheom we adventured to what I thought it was Downtown. My Son again navigating, Mia and I just following.
We kept going and saw Piazza Venezia from the distance, OHHH what a marvelous piece of Arquitecture! As we got closer and saw its size and details, I began to wonder how in the world did they put those heavy horses on top?
I was mesmerized by it's beauty, I believe my kids were thinking that I have lost my mind for being so in awe!
I have to be honest for me arquitecture as Piazza Venezia's blows my mind more than The Pantheom for its age. For me it's hard to believe how people without cranes were able to bring up such beautiful heavy sculptures that high. Such details on each statue, just beauty all around!
We kept going and saw Piazza Venezia from the distance, OHHH what a marvelous piece of Arquitecture! As we got closer and saw its size and details, I began to wonder how in the world did they put those heavy horses on top?
I was mesmerized by it's beauty, I believe my kids were thinking that I have lost my mind for being so in awe!
I have to be honest for me arquitecture as Piazza Venezia's blows my mind more than The Pantheom for its age. For me it's hard to believe how people without cranes were able to bring up such beautiful heavy sculptures that high. Such details on each statue, just beauty all around!
Aug 23rd, 2010, 03:19 AM
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Yeah golfer,
I am all for the 8 Euro tucker as well, sounds incredible for Rome. I wonder if we will have the same choice and the large crowds in November?
I enjoyed the short story on Rome, I have not been there for 40 years.
Regards
I am all for the 8 Euro tucker as well, sounds incredible for Rome. I wonder if we will have the same choice and the large crowds in November?
I enjoyed the short story on Rome, I have not been there for 40 years.
Regards
Aug 23rd, 2010, 06:11 AM
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Continuing with our second day in Rome...
After spending sometime in Via del Corso - Piazza Venezia we took the Avenue on the left, Via Nazionale, one of the main Avenues where most buses run.
Via Nazionale has mainly shops and places to eat and found a Burker King. As a challenge as we are not too much into fast food, we decided to compare the Italian whoopers to the USA and entered the very enticing air conditioned building. After having what we thought was a leaner with less dressing Whooper we hit the hot streets again.
After what it seemed ages walking under all that heat, we ended at Piazza della Republica where we took our left on direction to Fontana di Trevi. When we got to FT we couldn't believe the amount of people around it! We couldn't even see the water!
As I'm not too tall I had to lean back against the windows of some shops across the street, United of Beneton to be able to take some pics of the fountain, were my daughter saw some Betty Boop shirts that I had to buy. We just decided to come back earlier next day when we had our formal visit to the Fountain and The Spanish Steps.
By now we were very tired, we've walked for hours so just decided to turn around direction to Piazza Navona. We took the street where all the major expensive shops are, Cartier, Bulgari, etc and we were surprised to see that people were in line outside of Loui Vitton to be let in the store one by one after someone else was exiting.
We crossed again The Pantheon, Piazza Navona and finally got to the apartment where we rested for about 1 hr before going out again for dinner.
When I asked my Son how many miles we've walked that afternoon, his guess was about 7 miles and the day wasn't over yet!
I need to remember where that 8.00 euro Menu dinner was, I know my Son knows the name.
After spending sometime in Via del Corso - Piazza Venezia we took the Avenue on the left, Via Nazionale, one of the main Avenues where most buses run.
Via Nazionale has mainly shops and places to eat and found a Burker King. As a challenge as we are not too much into fast food, we decided to compare the Italian whoopers to the USA and entered the very enticing air conditioned building. After having what we thought was a leaner with less dressing Whooper we hit the hot streets again.
After what it seemed ages walking under all that heat, we ended at Piazza della Republica where we took our left on direction to Fontana di Trevi. When we got to FT we couldn't believe the amount of people around it! We couldn't even see the water!
As I'm not too tall I had to lean back against the windows of some shops across the street, United of Beneton to be able to take some pics of the fountain, were my daughter saw some Betty Boop shirts that I had to buy. We just decided to come back earlier next day when we had our formal visit to the Fountain and The Spanish Steps.
By now we were very tired, we've walked for hours so just decided to turn around direction to Piazza Navona. We took the street where all the major expensive shops are, Cartier, Bulgari, etc and we were surprised to see that people were in line outside of Loui Vitton to be let in the store one by one after someone else was exiting.
We crossed again The Pantheon, Piazza Navona and finally got to the apartment where we rested for about 1 hr before going out again for dinner.
When I asked my Son how many miles we've walked that afternoon, his guess was about 7 miles and the day wasn't over yet!
I need to remember where that 8.00 euro Menu dinner was, I know my Son knows the name.
Aug 23rd, 2010, 02:49 PM
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As we got back to the apartment before 6:30 when Da Baffetto opens we decided to give it a try, so my Son waited for us downstairs to be seated while I grabbed some cash.
After being rudely ordered to be seated against the wall we waited for what it seems an eternity to order. We waited for about 30 mins and when we are at our ends whit and ready to leave after eating the table, our waiter decides to come by and take our order. My Son ordered the Da Baffetto pizza and I think I ordered a Margherita and my daughter some pasta.
Another 30-40 mins passed and finally our food was there, all this waiting while I kept looking at my apartment window kicking myself for not just staying home and just cook the Ravioli and Salad that I had planned having for dinner.
We try our food and Gosh, this is the worse Pizza I'd had in this trip I say, my Son; wow this is just okay. We believe after all the Pizza we've had in Europe for the last 6 weeks, we've become spoiled and Da Baffetto doesn't impress us.
Also, the show that the waiters and the owner put right on the street in front of the tables while you eat is nothing to be proud of. We later learned that is also part of the vibe of the place. Owner starts arguing with waiters and also costumers who are waiting to be seated, we see a party of 6 being split on two tables far from each other, basically they were told "You want to eat here, you seat in separate tables of leave", some new costumers getting their orders right away while others have to wait for 30-40 mins, just a mess.
This pizzeria was one of the most unpleasant dinning experiences I've had. You get yelled out, food is just okay.
We go up to our apartment disappointed and go to bed so we can leave early next morning, our third day in Roma.
After being rudely ordered to be seated against the wall we waited for what it seems an eternity to order. We waited for about 30 mins and when we are at our ends whit and ready to leave after eating the table, our waiter decides to come by and take our order. My Son ordered the Da Baffetto pizza and I think I ordered a Margherita and my daughter some pasta.
Another 30-40 mins passed and finally our food was there, all this waiting while I kept looking at my apartment window kicking myself for not just staying home and just cook the Ravioli and Salad that I had planned having for dinner.
We try our food and Gosh, this is the worse Pizza I'd had in this trip I say, my Son; wow this is just okay. We believe after all the Pizza we've had in Europe for the last 6 weeks, we've become spoiled and Da Baffetto doesn't impress us.
Also, the show that the waiters and the owner put right on the street in front of the tables while you eat is nothing to be proud of. We later learned that is also part of the vibe of the place. Owner starts arguing with waiters and also costumers who are waiting to be seated, we see a party of 6 being split on two tables far from each other, basically they were told "You want to eat here, you seat in separate tables of leave", some new costumers getting their orders right away while others have to wait for 30-40 mins, just a mess.
This pizzeria was one of the most unpleasant dinning experiences I've had. You get yelled out, food is just okay.
We go up to our apartment disappointed and go to bed so we can leave early next morning, our third day in Roma.
Aug 23rd, 2010, 06:43 PM
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The 8.00 euro dinner Restaurant's name is its street number. I believe was 311 or 411, the numbers are on big in its wall inside and all over the Restaurant. Just 2/3 blocks West of Da Bafetto (Via del Governo Vecchio 114)
