It's nice to be back again, the whole family together for another trip across the Atlantic. This year's destination is Italy and we just can't wait to visit the country and eat amazing Italian food.
We are going for just over a week and it should be a busy and ambitious trip: Rome, Pietrasanta (to visit a lovely friend and her family), Florence and Venice.
The other big news is that we'll meet up with Vovó and Vovô, my parents, who will hang out with us during their first part of a month long tour through part of Europe and Brazil. For now, we'll have Rome for ourselves and my parents will catch up later.
We can't hide our excitement!
Italia, mi amore, here we come!
It's a Air France overnight flight to Paris, then Rome.
Fifi ready to sleep in the plane.
Although it was fast (less than 7 hours) , our overnight trip was not comfortable at all.
We landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport, in Paris, for a connection to Rome at around 2am, Toronto time (8am Paris time), so we missed most of our night sleep.
You know you are in France when there is a room inside the airport for smokers - with windows and everybody can see people smoking away like they are in a fish bowl... And when people are drinking white wine at 9am in the cafes.
Coffee and croissant.
After a less than two hours flight from Paris, we got to Rome at noon. The airport is about a half hour drive from the old town, where we are staying. I really enjoyed these umbrella shaped trees everywhere along the way.
From Wikipedia:
The stone pine, botanical name Pinus pinea, also known as the Italian stone pine, umbrella pine and parasol pine, is a tree from the pine family (Pinaceae). The tree is native to the Mediterranean region, occurring in Southern Europe, Israel, Lebanon and Syria.
Our apartment is right downtown, minutes walking from the main attractions. This place is so charming, surrounded by old buildings with lots of character. It's also affordable, clean, and equipped with air conditioning, a washing machine and a dishwater. We recommend it. www.yoursuiterome.com
Our view.
Our court yard.
Maria, one of the helpful hotel staff, spent a long time showing us the attractions and best places to eat in Rome on the map. "One of the best pasta places," she says, "is the Osteria Da Fortunata. We chose that for our first meal.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/osteria-da-fortunata-roma
It was hard to find a table and even harder to get the waiter's attention. Finally, after a long time being polite Canadian people, we had to yell at him to get our orders. A little Italian aggressiveness helps. :) Don't be shy. In a corner, old Italian Nonas were making the pasta from scratch, with no help from machines.
It was truly amazing!
Another Italian Nona pasta maker squeezes the girls repeating "bellissima," as she is kissing them on their foreheads.
Flower market just across the street from the Osteria.
If you are in Rome, after pasta, there is gelato.... of course!
Again, Maria from the hotel recommended the best one in Rome: the Frigidarium.
It was worth it the line up.
From: https://www.10best.com/destinations/italy/rome/centro-storico/restaurants/frigidarium/
"Located in the cuore of old Rome just up the street from Piazza Navona is one of the best gelaterie around town. Frigidarium is nothing but table-top counter with some 20-odd flavors to choose from. But boy, oh boy, is it sooooo good! The gelateria has been around for more than 15 years in this neighborhood and a lifesaver to parents looking to brighten their children's day. Some favorite flavors at Frigidarium are pistchacchio, zuppa inglese and cioccolato con arancio. Frigidarium can also whip a good milkshake (frappe). BUS: 40, 46, 64."
I haven't noticed any street art in this old part of Rome, except this Italian Super Women on an old building wall.
The details on the building are incredible, everywhere.
But the tall and thick gigantic wooden doors are magnificent.
Despite being over tired from the trip over the Atlantic, our first day in Rome was like this Frigidarium gelato: sweet and delicious.
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