The Adventure Begins.. Sarge56 in Italy
May 24th, 2013, 11:14 PM
#122
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If staying, perhaps time to acquaint yourself with the local newspapers?
It's worth checking the signs at bus stops before boarding - usually you can tell where the bus will be going next! Here are examples found online for that 64 route - the first, at one of the stops it makes along Corso V Emanuele, on the side of the road where buses are heading from Termini to the Vatican...
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OSXmVgjD7o...0/IMG_6675.JPG
.... with an essentially similar list, but in reverse order, on this sign in Piazza Venezia - for those going in the opposite direction:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinoy_pinay/332905094/
But hopefully you learnt some useful lessons... not to believe everything you're told, how not all taxi drivers exploit such situations... and as - presumably - you saw no abandoned trams or buses, that those "windows" apply to a service's departure time... and aren't an absolute deadline for the drivers to just walk away?
(Indeed, it's been our experience that 100% adherence is rare, with usually a few buses around.. even if trains and trams can't run for safety reasons!)
Hopefully you're almost here in Campania by now - where today there's precious little risk of sunstroke...
Peter
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde
It's worth checking the signs at bus stops before boarding - usually you can tell where the bus will be going next! Here are examples found online for that 64 route - the first, at one of the stops it makes along Corso V Emanuele, on the side of the road where buses are heading from Termini to the Vatican...
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OSXmVgjD7o...0/IMG_6675.JPG
.... with an essentially similar list, but in reverse order, on this sign in Piazza Venezia - for those going in the opposite direction:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinoy_pinay/332905094/
But hopefully you learnt some useful lessons... not to believe everything you're told, how not all taxi drivers exploit such situations... and as - presumably - you saw no abandoned trams or buses, that those "windows" apply to a service's departure time... and aren't an absolute deadline for the drivers to just walk away?
(Indeed, it's been our experience that 100% adherence is rare, with usually a few buses around.. even if trains and trams can't run for safety reasons!)
Hopefully you're almost here in Campania by now - where today there's precious little risk of sunstroke...
Peter
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde
May 24th, 2013, 11:27 PM
#123
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Too late to be of any use for Sarge today.... but other travellers might note that, as with most of Trenitalia's offers now, those Saturday-only "2x1" tickets are no longer available on the day!
For that particular deal, you'd need to make your purchase before the last Friday/Saturday midnight prior to travelling:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD
Peter
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde
For that particular deal, you'd need to make your purchase before the last Friday/Saturday midnight prior to travelling:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...008916f90aRCRD
Peter
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde
May 26th, 2013, 05:52 AM
#124
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Just to check in... am perfectly healthy now, fyi, for those who have been concerned. I appreciate it. SO good to be back to eating normally and functioning normally.
I believe I am wearing out my 22-year-old nephew. hahah
It has been very fun this last 5 days, getting to spend more time using the public transportation system here in Rome.
We have ridden buses, trams, both metro lines (A and B) and the regional trains! We sure have gotten around!
Tomorrow, we are headed to Ostia Antica. I just need to find the thread that tells me how to get there from here.
We did the Forum and Colosseum today. Home for nap, then back out. Probably going to head to Campo de Fiori, as we haven't gone that way, yet.
Yesterday, Trevi, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo. When we came out of Santa Maria, it was starting to rain. So, we walked 20 seconds to the metro line Flaminio. Caught the A to Termini, switched to B. Took it to Piramide, then Bus #3 straight to Stazione Trastevere!
We're old hands, now!
Those of you living vicariously through me- put your feet up, they should be killing you about now!
Sarge Out...
I believe I am wearing out my 22-year-old nephew. hahah
It has been very fun this last 5 days, getting to spend more time using the public transportation system here in Rome.
We have ridden buses, trams, both metro lines (A and B) and the regional trains! We sure have gotten around!
Tomorrow, we are headed to Ostia Antica. I just need to find the thread that tells me how to get there from here.
We did the Forum and Colosseum today. Home for nap, then back out. Probably going to head to Campo de Fiori, as we haven't gone that way, yet.
Yesterday, Trevi, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo. When we came out of Santa Maria, it was starting to rain. So, we walked 20 seconds to the metro line Flaminio. Caught the A to Termini, switched to B. Took it to Piramide, then Bus #3 straight to Stazione Trastevere!
We're old hands, now!Those of you living vicariously through me- put your feet up, they should be killing you about now!
Sarge Out...
May 26th, 2013, 07:51 AM
#125
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If it fits in with your schedule, Perilli's is just up from Ostiense station at via Marmorata 39. It is a good trattoria with sensible prices and Roman classic dishes. Not sure if it's open on Monday though.
May 27th, 2013, 03:08 AM
#128
yes, having been there recently [we started and finished at Stazione San Pietro] I too will be interested to read your opinion of Ostia Antica.
and I'm so glad that things are improving on the health front.
and I'm so glad that things are improving on the health front.
May 27th, 2013, 10:26 AM
#131
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Great reading that you are feeling better. DH and I went to Ostia but I couldn't remember where we got the train. Here's a link:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...taly/ostia.htm
I enjoyed Pompeii so much more but many others do not agree with me. Will be interested to hear your impressions.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...taly/ostia.htm
I enjoyed Pompeii so much more but many others do not agree with me. Will be interested to hear your impressions.
May 27th, 2013, 11:44 AM
#132
we got to Ostia by using the overground trains - starting at San Pietro and changing at Ostiense, and reversing it on the way back, by which time it was rush-hour and reminded me very much of catching commuter trains in London in a different life.
May 27th, 2013, 12:11 PM
#134
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Sarge, you're probably just experiencing the "down" after working soooo hard to actually get there, and added to that your sickness. Thing a will start to look up once you get your rhythm and now that you feel better. As the others say, don't make any rash decisions while not feeling well. Thankful though that your nephew was/is with you.
May 27th, 2013, 12:15 PM
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Sarge, I think something would have been wrong if you didn't have a "down" or sick time after all the work getting there. I am so impressed with your spirit and I am so happy to hear you sounding much better. We arrive in Rome on Saturday and I am almost beside myself - then on to Venice. I have had dreams of this adventure and you are actually "living" it! WOW!
May 28th, 2013, 07:57 AM
#136
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willowjane- I'm in Rome for at least 2 more weeks, so if you want to meet up for an afternoon drink, do please let me know. You can email me at paulam910 at Hotmail dot com.
cathies- We went to Ostia Antica today. It was fabulous!! I can highly recommend it. However, DO be prepared for a long day (I don't think you can do the site justice in less than 2-3 hours. Four might be better). Pack a light lunch and sit anywhere you wish to enjoy it (the theater is fully intact and a great place to enjoy a break!).
It couldn't have been easier to get there. We are right next to Stazione Trastevere. So we took the #3 bus from there- it goes straight to Ostiense station. Catch any train there. They all stop at Ostia Antica. If you have a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day transportation pass (we bought 7-day passes for E24), these are good to get you on this train and back again.
I cannot say enough about how beautiful today was, but it was a LOT of walking. NOTE that there is no transportation back to the entrance of Ostia.. you must walk it. However, if you head to the cafeteria (yes, we ate there and it was good, if a bit overpriced), there is a straight shot asphalt road back to the entrance. Just be prepared for all the walking.
Really enjoyed this site and it was practically empty! PS There is a Rick Steves free download "tour" of this site. Look for Rick Steves Europe 2013. It's under Italy-Rome/Venice/Florence. It even had a map and was very useful.
Thanks, all! Nephew leaves in the morning and I'm on my own. I figured out how to use the washing machine in this apartment (a trial, for sure), but was nice to come home and find all my clothes had dried in just a few hours on the lines...even my jeans!
Later...willow, do let me know if you need assistance while here or if you want to meet up!
cathies- We went to Ostia Antica today. It was fabulous!! I can highly recommend it. However, DO be prepared for a long day (I don't think you can do the site justice in less than 2-3 hours. Four might be better). Pack a light lunch and sit anywhere you wish to enjoy it (the theater is fully intact and a great place to enjoy a break!).
It couldn't have been easier to get there. We are right next to Stazione Trastevere. So we took the #3 bus from there- it goes straight to Ostiense station. Catch any train there. They all stop at Ostia Antica. If you have a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day transportation pass (we bought 7-day passes for E24), these are good to get you on this train and back again.
I cannot say enough about how beautiful today was, but it was a LOT of walking. NOTE that there is no transportation back to the entrance of Ostia.. you must walk it. However, if you head to the cafeteria (yes, we ate there and it was good, if a bit overpriced), there is a straight shot asphalt road back to the entrance. Just be prepared for all the walking.
Really enjoyed this site and it was practically empty! PS There is a Rick Steves free download "tour" of this site. Look for Rick Steves Europe 2013. It's under Italy-Rome/Venice/Florence. It even had a map and was very useful.
Thanks, all! Nephew leaves in the morning and I'm on my own. I figured out how to use the washing machine in this apartment (a trial, for sure), but was nice to come home and find all my clothes had dried in just a few hours on the lines...even my jeans!
Later...willow, do let me know if you need assistance while here or if you want to meet up!
May 28th, 2013, 09:05 AM
#137
good news about the washing machine, Sarge. Now you've got to stay!
we found the cafe at Ostia was good the first time we went; we didn't have time when we went a few weeks ago as our guide was making sure that we saw as much as possible before it shut and the young with whom we were visiting moved at snail's pace [except when they were rushing off in the wrong direction!]
there are also some restaurants in the more modern [medieval] part of the town that is on the other side of the road from the entrance, and a lovely church, though it was closed for a christening when we were there. definitely worth the best part of a day.
we found the cafe at Ostia was good the first time we went; we didn't have time when we went a few weeks ago as our guide was making sure that we saw as much as possible before it shut and the young with whom we were visiting moved at snail's pace [except when they were rushing off in the wrong direction!]
there are also some restaurants in the more modern [medieval] part of the town that is on the other side of the road from the entrance, and a lovely church, though it was closed for a christening when we were there. definitely worth the best part of a day.
