Rome...my observations and
May 5th, 2005, 07:24 PM
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Rome...my observations and
I have been home now for a couple of days, so jet lag is beginning to be but a memory. I won't make this a quote unquote trip report, as I see several posted about Rome. I will instead just give some of my observations and insights.
We were 3 fabulous ladies "of a certain age" and we entitled this trip, It's 5 oclock somewhere!
After perusing this site for many months I was armed with reservations and restaurant recommondations.
We stayed at the Hotel Panda, had their triple room with tiny balcony. It was super clean, and very quiet since our room faced an inner courtyard. It was warm last week in Rome but our room stayed cool because of the height of the buildings and the location of the sun. Perfect. Other than hauling luggage up 4 flights of stairs it was a wonderful experience and the price was right. 130 Euros per night with discount if paying in cash.
I had a terrible time trying to get Trenitalia to work, so as soon as we arrived in Rome (Friday April 22)we headed for the American Express office to buy train tickets to Florence(for Tuesday April26) Paid a premium for them, 1st class with seat reservations. I think about 80 Euros per person round trip....anyway, reservations and a seat assignment are a must! We saw people in first class standing because they did not have a seat assignment.
We stayed away from the Vatican area on Sunday April 24th deciding instead to go on Monday the 25th. We had Scavi reservations for 1:45PM. The tour was great. Thanks to all that recommended it.
Got around on the Metro but felt like a sardine. I was glad to have my little money pouch tucked safely inside my pants. I have worn a neck strap money pouch and an around the waist pouch but was not happy with either of them. So I invented my own. I buy a piece of felt, cut it to fit my passport, sew it on 3 sides, with the open part long enough to have a flap that will fold over my pants. Then I tuck the pouch inside my pants with some of the flap on the outside and use a large saftey pin to hold it in place. Works great and I feel really safe and secure everywhere in Rome but especially on the Metro.
Restaurants: I took so many notes from all of you about wonderful restaurants to try. I didnt try one of them. By days end I was so tired that we all wanted to stay in our local hotel area. We ate at La Rampa, 3 times, located just by Spanish steps, very very good. Reasonable prices. Aslo ate at Otello alla Concordia, on via della Croce, very good and reasonable also. Another we tried was Le Sorelle, delicious but expensive.
We did lots of museums and saw lots of sights but it seems like the more I travel it's the little tings I notice that are most treasured. The art student doing and pen and ink drawing of St Peters Square, the Archbishop bending down to bless 3 small children, the 10 year old boy on the train to Florence leading a group of people, and telling us we were in the wrong seats. He was right!
Finding clothing for "ladies of a certain age" was an experience. Seems like most of the fashion was geared to the younger generation. However we found one store that we all loved and we all bought clothing there. It's called Marina Rinaldi, located at via Borgognona. Reasonable prices I thought.
Got our VAT refund at FCO airport. We allowed 3 hours from hotel to getting on our plane. We needed all of that time.
Home safely once again, and now starting to plan for our upcoming trip to Germany and beyond.
Thanks to everyone for all your wisdom and experience in your travels. It helped to make our trip wonderful, building many happy memories together. RSG
We were 3 fabulous ladies "of a certain age" and we entitled this trip, It's 5 oclock somewhere!
After perusing this site for many months I was armed with reservations and restaurant recommondations.
We stayed at the Hotel Panda, had their triple room with tiny balcony. It was super clean, and very quiet since our room faced an inner courtyard. It was warm last week in Rome but our room stayed cool because of the height of the buildings and the location of the sun. Perfect. Other than hauling luggage up 4 flights of stairs it was a wonderful experience and the price was right. 130 Euros per night with discount if paying in cash.
I had a terrible time trying to get Trenitalia to work, so as soon as we arrived in Rome (Friday April 22)we headed for the American Express office to buy train tickets to Florence(for Tuesday April26) Paid a premium for them, 1st class with seat reservations. I think about 80 Euros per person round trip....anyway, reservations and a seat assignment are a must! We saw people in first class standing because they did not have a seat assignment.
We stayed away from the Vatican area on Sunday April 24th deciding instead to go on Monday the 25th. We had Scavi reservations for 1:45PM. The tour was great. Thanks to all that recommended it.
Got around on the Metro but felt like a sardine. I was glad to have my little money pouch tucked safely inside my pants. I have worn a neck strap money pouch and an around the waist pouch but was not happy with either of them. So I invented my own. I buy a piece of felt, cut it to fit my passport, sew it on 3 sides, with the open part long enough to have a flap that will fold over my pants. Then I tuck the pouch inside my pants with some of the flap on the outside and use a large saftey pin to hold it in place. Works great and I feel really safe and secure everywhere in Rome but especially on the Metro.
Restaurants: I took so many notes from all of you about wonderful restaurants to try. I didnt try one of them. By days end I was so tired that we all wanted to stay in our local hotel area. We ate at La Rampa, 3 times, located just by Spanish steps, very very good. Reasonable prices. Aslo ate at Otello alla Concordia, on via della Croce, very good and reasonable also. Another we tried was Le Sorelle, delicious but expensive.
We did lots of museums and saw lots of sights but it seems like the more I travel it's the little tings I notice that are most treasured. The art student doing and pen and ink drawing of St Peters Square, the Archbishop bending down to bless 3 small children, the 10 year old boy on the train to Florence leading a group of people, and telling us we were in the wrong seats. He was right!
Finding clothing for "ladies of a certain age" was an experience. Seems like most of the fashion was geared to the younger generation. However we found one store that we all loved and we all bought clothing there. It's called Marina Rinaldi, located at via Borgognona. Reasonable prices I thought.
Got our VAT refund at FCO airport. We allowed 3 hours from hotel to getting on our plane. We needed all of that time.
Home safely once again, and now starting to plan for our upcoming trip to Germany and beyond.
Thanks to everyone for all your wisdom and experience in your travels. It helped to make our trip wonderful, building many happy memories together. RSG
May 5th, 2005, 08:10 PM
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I think that this IS nothing less than a "quote unquote trip report"...
... and a perfectly fine one.
Glad you had a good trip.
Welcome back to the forum. You know you're going to be hooked here, for good, right?
Best wishes,
Rex
... and a perfectly fine one.
Glad you had a good trip.
Welcome back to the forum. You know you're going to be hooked here, for good, right?
Best wishes,
Rex
May 6th, 2005, 03:04 AM
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Being a lady "of a certain age" myself, I love your observations. I leave for Rome after 6 more sleeps and found this wonderfully helpful. Will make some notes.
Thank you.
I especially love your unexpected 'treasured' observations. Isnt it always the way!
I hope you are beating the jet lag!!
Thank you.
I especially love your unexpected 'treasured' observations. Isnt it always the way!
I hope you are beating the jet lag!!
May 6th, 2005, 03:29 AM
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I found that the electronic kiosks at the Termini were very easy to use. I got my tickets to Napoli there two days before our trip. Coming back, however, we ran into problems - first of all I couldn't get reserved seats, then our train was cancelled.
We had some seat problems on our way out, and I was glad I understood a little Italian. We were sitting down when an Italian woman came in with her husband, and claimed we were in their seats. "Quaranta due!" she said. We meekly moved, but then I checked my tickets and found that we were quaranta due (42), so I went back to her. She was indignant and whipped out their tickets, only to find they were sessanta due (62), and very apologetically moved. Thank goodness I checked, for that train was full.
Thanks for your report.
We had some seat problems on our way out, and I was glad I understood a little Italian. We were sitting down when an Italian woman came in with her husband, and claimed we were in their seats. "Quaranta due!" she said. We meekly moved, but then I checked my tickets and found that we were quaranta due (42), so I went back to her. She was indignant and whipped out their tickets, only to find they were sessanta due (62), and very apologetically moved. Thank goodness I checked, for that train was full.
Thanks for your report.
May 6th, 2005, 12:22 PM
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RSG, a friend of mine came back from Italy, she said all shoes are for teenagers: pointed toes, high heels. Don't they have matronly women of certain age in Italy? Where do the locals shop?
I suggest you open a "certain age club". I request a membership in your club in addition to AARP
I suggest you open a "certain age club". I request a membership in your club in addition to AARP
May 6th, 2005, 02:42 PM
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Thanks everyone.
FainaAgain: consider yourself a charter member of the "certain age club!"
I think alot of the certain age women shop at the local department stores and also the one I mentioned in my post. As for shoes, I was lucky enough to bring home 3 new pairs. I found a very good selection and decent prices in several stores.
FainaAgain: consider yourself a charter member of the "certain age club!"
I think alot of the certain age women shop at the local department stores and also the one I mentioned in my post. As for shoes, I was lucky enough to bring home 3 new pairs. I found a very good selection and decent prices in several stores.
May 6th, 2005, 06:50 PM
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Hi readysetgo, I am another one who found your observations of beautiful Rome quite interesting. How wonderful that you and your friends can travel together so well. We often hear horror stories about friends and problems during trips and I always feel bad because my experiences have always been so pleasant and enjoyable.
About that "certain age" club. Can I be a charter member? And I love the attitude "it's 5 oclock somewhere"!
I know you will all have fun planning your trip to Germany. Best wishes.
About that "certain age" club. Can I be a charter member? And I love the attitude "it's 5 oclock somewhere"!
I know you will all have fun planning your trip to Germany. Best wishes.
May 6th, 2005, 11:05 PM
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Sounds like you have a wonderful trip! I think I may be even a bit above that certain age, but would certainly like to be included in the group. Perhaps the "Red Hat Fodor's Ladies" or something???
Welcome home and have fun planning your next adventure.
Welcome home and have fun planning your next adventure.
May 7th, 2005, 01:23 AM
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Mille grazie RSG, for your observations/report. Two months from now, I'll be arriving in Paris--then Rome. YEAH!!
Everything I've learned and read on this site, from the generous people who share their time and wisdom, adds greatly to the anticipation. And yes, let's hear it for the "certain age" club!
Everything I've learned and read on this site, from the generous people who share their time and wisdom, adds greatly to the anticipation. And yes, let's hear it for the "certain age" club!
