It was the 8th of November 2007, we flew to Ciampino to show Victoria the sights of Rome.

Travelling from Liverpool we arrived at Ciampino airport in the evening, we had booked a hotel in the small town of Ciampino, the hotel was wheelchair friendly and as it turn out was about the only place in Rome which was, with the exception of the supreb Vatican museum.

Travelling into Rome every day on Trenitalia which was very cheap we saved hundreds of euros from the city centre hotels and the cost of food and drink in Rome. The big drawback was the railway station at Ciampino, no lifts and some of the trains required four or five steps up to them which made it all very interesting with the wheelchair, Victoria is only small, we managed but I would recommend anyone travelling to Rome with disabilities to do a lot of homework before you travel.

Four full days were spent in Rome, we visited all the main tourist sights and even managed to take Victoria to the city's Zoo. The highlights for me are the ones that Victoria enjoys, the Zoo was great, she also was happy to be in the Vatican museum but the Font de Trevi was the one that she seemed to enjoy the most.

Victoria's condition usually means a short lifespan, mid teens is the norm but we remain hopeful she will be with us for a lot longer, it is always satisfying to visit somewhere new with her. Previous trips include Cuba, Mauritius, Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Menorca, Paris Disneyland, Barcelona, Bremen, Florence, Pisa and Nantes.

Victoria or Vicky as she prefers is a fantastic Travbuddy and I will continue my quest to get her to travel as much as possible, we have not been able to travel with her in 2008 due to an operation she had in April however the travelling will resume and my ultimate goal is to return to Australia, this time with Vicky.

I flew into Rome here and went with all possible haste to the Termini station there to catch my night train out to Palermo. I made it with about 30 minutes to spare.

I have been in the travel industry for 10 years and have only been a few places in the world. Mostly the countries attached to the US. On a whim a friend asked me to go with them to Rome. I said without hesitation, yes. I live in Hawaii, so getting to Rome was not going to be a quick task, and given my job and the fact that I only had 5 days off was going to be tricky. I had to make a flight from Kauai to Phoenix, to Atlanta, to Rome. The only problem was that it all rested on the first flight and if I did not get on I was not going anywhere. So to start the day with a hangover from friends visiting was not a good way to go. I work for a regional airline out here in Hawaii, and I’m based in Kauai, that said I had to get up get packed and head to work and not return for 6 days, yeah that sounds fun.

I got to work with my roller bag, literally flying behind me, (I never have a roller bag because we are home every night here on the islands). So as my day turned out the plane was late and the plane was slow, simply meaning that it was going to be a stressful day to catch a flight that night at 10:30pm, when we are suppose to be back on Kauai at 10:15pm. We had 8 legs of flight ahead and a broken APU (this provides the air conditioning on the plane along with the power to start the engines), and I had a mission get back to Kauai, at 10pm. I CAN DO IT! To shorten this story, a mechanical problem caused us to be over ½ and hour late the whole night I was able to get back at 9:55pm. Let’s just say everyone thought I was a race car driver.

I made my flights, met up with my travel partner and her dad in Atlanta, and it was a 9 hr flight to go. I got some sleep to assure that I was on some sort of time zone.      We got through customs no problem, and out the doors of the airport we go, into a new adventure. And no driver to meet us, this was a bad sign to start allowing someone else to plan my travels.  A little later a driver appears and we are under way to The Great Roman Adventure.

Got to the hotel and I was under the impression that we were staying with my friends dad, but that changed quickly, so off to find a hotel was the first part of our adventure. We wondered the street for about an hour, and quickly learned that I was for sure in another country. The language barrier was there but not a huge issue. We found a great hotel named Ginvera, near the train station. After getting settled in we began to explore, I knew that the Coliseum was around here somewhere.  I could not keep my mouth closed as it fell as I saw the huge Coliseum, WOW! We ventured up the street snapping pictures and being absolutely amazed at everything I am seeing.

I could go on for hours describing the entire adventure, but I am neither good at simplifying nor giving great detail, so I will best simplify as much as possible. The next morning started with Cappuccino at a small café, and set the days plan into action. We plan to start at the Sistine Chapel and walk our way back to the hotel back on the other side of town. From the Chapel museum we went to Saint Peters Square, passed on the St. Peters Basilica, (way too long of a line), Castle Saint Angelo, The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, (which seem to appear out of nowhere. We sat and had a bottle of wine while watching the many people of all countries pass by. I even shared an inside joke with a little old man who was pointing out attractive women to our waiter, I partook in this game too.

After the Trevi Fountain, we walked back to the Coliseum and took the tour there. Stand in the Coliseum and listening to the goofy 4 euro handset, the only thought that went through my head was of my father who recently passed away, and the excitement that he would have gotten from me showing the pictures and telling of the story of the Coliseum. . . .After the Coliseum we headed back to the hotel to rest a bit and get ready for dinner and some nightlife. We went to Piazza Novona, where we had dinner and a large beer at Café Jazz.  From here nothing seemed too exciting so we hoped a cab to the nearest club. We were whisked to a bar called Coyote; we had a beer or two and were ready to go when we wondered down the street to find a few more clubs. We decided to go into AKAB, a young, hip, and loud place, it was perfect (for me). I few too many more beers and laughing with some locals we had a great time dancing and mingling. We hoped a cab back to the hotel to pass the hell out.

The next day had no plan, but recovery from the hangover from last night’s beverage consumption. We went to Jewish Ghetto, and then headed to the Pantheon, and the amazingness of it.  We were making our way back to meet my travel partner’s dad when we stopped in an internet café and I learned that my travel back to the states did not include me getting back to Hawaii in time to go to work on the 10^th. So I sat there for about an hour stressing over that, and made and executive decision to play it by ear.

The next morning was started at 4 in the morning to get to the airport in time to change my travel plans to get me home. The flight I needed was an Alitalia flight at 9:20am from Rome to Los Angeles; we got to the airport at 6:30am to the ball rolling. After hours of stressing on whether or not we were getting on, we made it by 5mins. After getting settled in on the plane which had maybe 60 people on it, one of the flight attendant came up to me and asked me to grab my things and fallow them, they moved me up to First Class. I asked the purser if my travel companion could join me in First Class, for which he said no, because of the other passengers, who cares. After takeoff I informed my friend of this, who was really cool about it and said to enjoy the service for which I had never experienced before.

All in all it was a great trip, great food, amazing sites, friendly people, and an interesting travel partner. I will again visit Rome and finally see St. Peter’s Basilica.

Well we had to get up around 6:30 had breakfast and left to meet a local tour guide. First we did a tour while we were still on the tour bus while the local guide explained the different areas and history. She knew her stuff but after being on a bus the entire last day all of us were just anxious to jump off and start exploring.

Finally we were able to get off the bus and continue the tour on foot. We first went to the Colosseum which is another thing that you see it so many times in pictures and books but to see it in person is as if you are seeing it for the first time. It was great. Because we went really early and were with a tour we had no lines to wait in. It was also nice not to have many people in the Colosseum with us. By the time we left the number of people waiting was insane. So the tour guide walked us around a bit sharing the stories and history. We were then able to go off on our own to have our own experience in the Colosseum. There are stairs that lead to the top. They are very steep! At first I thought it was just me and actually asked my friends if my body suddenly got lazy or something because I was feeling this way more than I would normally.  When you look at the stairs they don't appear to really be that steep. They of course laughed and said no it really is the steps. I felt a little better than!

But once you get to the top it is lovely to be able to take it all in. To imagine what it was like in its full glory and the matches that took place there. You can also see a great panoramic of the surroundings as you walk around the top.  We had about 20 mins to walk around and then met back downstairs with the group.  We then headed to the Roman Forum.

The forum was really nice to see and walk around in. However I missed most of the history info and stories from our tour guide. She used one of those "whisperer" system where she speaks into a transmitter and we all have headsets on to hear her. Well the only problem with that is there are so many people so you can't stand right next to her the whole time and if you were more than 4 people from her you heard nothing but static. We had used these many times with other tour guides and were able to have a pretty good distance between us and the guide and still hear fine. But not this time. So that was disappointing. I actually started listening to another tour guide. She was actually more upbeat and out going too. Then turned to see half of my tour was doing the same thing. But the Roman Forum is a lovely place to see and visit its quite amazing.

We then went to St. Peter's Basillica/Vatican CIty. And we were lucky that it was a Sunday which means the Pope comes out to give his sermon! The Pope was at his summer home (which we travel to later in the trip and saw him!) so we only got to see him on the big screen. But the experience was still unforgettable. No matter what religion you are or the fact I couldn't understand 90% of what he said due to not speaking the language, there is just something about it. And to see the number of people who were all gathered in the square to hear him speak.

My friends and I only watched for a few mintues then ran to get into line (while it was "short") to go inside. Another place that you can't really put into words. The resting place of past Popes and the place of worship.  And most amazing to see is the "Porta Santa". Those doors are only open during the Jubilee year every 25 years. They actually build a brick wall behind the doors to ensure that they are not opened before that time. In the Vatican Museum they have some of the past bricks and tools used on the door. We finished walking around and taking in the unbelievable feeling and experience of the Basillica.

We then went back to the hotel to freshen up and head out to an optional excursion dinner.

Before dinner, part of the excursion was to see Rome at night. We walked around to see Piazza Baberini, Triton Fountain, Villa Brghese, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. It did start to sprinkle a bit towards the end of our walk but ended by the time we reached the restaurant.

I think the Trevi Fountain was probably my favorite of all of them. When you are walking to it you hear the water then turn the corner and there it is in all its glory! There were so many people there which you expect. But of course you want it to just be you so you can get that picture pefect stranger free moment. Haha. But it was really beautifull. We were told if you throw some coins into the fountain you are supposed to return to Rome again. So all of us being touristy decided what the hell and threw some pennies in. Anything to help my chances on returning I say!!

We then boarded the bus and drove for a few minutes to our resturant. At first when we got to the restaurant we were a bit worried. The restaurant looked like it was just a little pizza place and we knew not all of us were going to fit in there! So as we entered were were taking down some stairs and to the back where it opened up into a lovely restaurant so we were all pleasantly surprised. They ended up closes the restaurant to the public and there was one other tour group there. So it was nice to have the whole place to our two groups. They had the accordion player and the Opera singer as our musical entertainment. But the owner himself was quite the entertainment. He was great very involved and making sure everyone had the best experience.

The food was really good the wine was even better!! At the end of the night the owner came out with roses and had the husbands give the wives the roses by mouth like you see in the movies. It was so cute. And then he gets to my table. The four single girls table...haha. He was like what no boyfriends no husbands. We were like no. He was like no no starts yelling out all these guys names ..the were all guys that worked there. We were like ohh no what have we gotten into. Everyone in the place had their eyes on our table and the were all laughing making comments like "he is calling in the troops for you girls"....as the owner continued to yell out guys names. All these guys from all parts of the restaurant come running he proceeds to tell them something in Italian. I can only imagine it was something like these girls have no boyfriends to give them their roses so you are filling in. haha So one by one they lined us up and he assigned us to a guy. They were very nice about it though they just handed us the roses and gave us a hug and kiss on the cheek. They didn't go in for the mouth to mouth with the roses. I think they actually may have been more afraid than us. Haha. Ohh but the owner decided he needed to sweeten the deal and well when I post the pics it will explain it all!

But it was a great great night. If you are ever in Rome I suggest going to this place the food is great and it was a ton of fun. The owner made the night! The name is Dominvs Ristorante-Pizzaria.

After we left our tour director and tour bus driver had another surprise for us. They took us back to the Bisillica to see it at night and take pictures. It was really pretty. It's amazing how things look one way during the day and completely different by night. So we stayed there for about an hour taking photos and just having fun with our group.

We then headed back to the hotel to call it a night.

"We are simply passing through history.  This is History!"

I woke up and I was still worried about my card. I had no cash left and my card was restricted.

Ash called them for me but there system was down for 4 hours... great.

So I hopped on the train determined to call them using Skype when I got back to the hostel in Rome I had stayed at two nights ago.

Thank goodness... again... for Skype.

Apparently my card got put on restriction when I tried to use it in an ATM...whatever. I know it doesn't work with the ATM's but when I get desperate I try just to make sure haha.

Sometimes it seems the fraud department goes overboard on protecting you. First off, sending my bank cards to me instead of just this emergency credit card would have been great. I could have proven who I was to them which I did for them to send me what I have! Second, why would they restrict my card just because I tried to use it in an ATM. If someone had stolen my card I would have canceled it like I did in Munich. Sorry... I guess that's enough complaining.

So I got access again after talking to the lady from Chase. I also realized I was being charged at a rate of 20 % for cash advances!! I knew it was high but not that high.

Thats when I called Kyle to see if he could Western Union me some cash. Thankfully he could at the time and I got the cash within the hour for only about 9.5% Still a lot compared to a $3 ATM withdrawal fee, but necessary.

What happened next in my day is actually really funny. I watched a replay of the most recent Presidential debate with lots of people from all over the world ....Talk about an experience haha. I won't go into it here, but lets just say it makes you think.

When it was over I went with 3 guys to the supermarket. We got stuff for pasta with sausage, bread, 2 beers each, and gelato for desert. It was about 7 Euro each... not bad when you consider how much a meal like this would cost in a restaurant and the guy who did the cooking did a great job.

So, another night in Rome without touring, but I leave for Athens tomorrow knowing I will be back.

I came to Rome on the EuroStar train. A tip for prospective travelers: If you have a Eurail Pass take the Regional trains if at all possible. They are a bit slower, but the non-regional trains have a flat reservation fee of 15 Euro!!

When I got to the Happy Days hostel in Rome I was able to type out my entries and catch up.

The hostel had a good television, sound system, and movies. I wasn't too concerned with touring Rome yet because I know I will be back at the end of my trip to finish up.

We watched the movie Shooter first. Then, after I cooked some delicious tortellini thanks to Mrs. Di Matteo's guidance (I gave her a ring) we watched th Gladiator... WHILE IN ROME haha. Pretty cool to see a movie where the main action is taking place in a historic sight so near to where you are.

After the movie I went walking around the city with 6 friends from the hostel I had met. We saw the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain (which I hear is better by night anyway). I didn't have my camera on me so I will have to go back and get some photos. It was really cool to see the Trevi fountain especially because it is what is on the cover of this journal Ashlea bought me as a gift for my trip. When I first got the journal I didn't even really know what it was haha.

Just a note though: As appealing as it may be, do NOT jump into the Trevi fountain.

We saw someone who did. He got a 160 Euro fine. When his two friends (A guy and a girl couple) started asking the police for identification and arguing on his behalf the police took their passports and fined them 60 Euro. Now they have to go to European Union court to get them back. At least I just got my wallet stolen haha... knock on wood.

... visita inesperada a la ciudad de noche. A callejear en busca de la Plaza de España y la Fontana di Trevi para después ir a la zona de marcha a tomar unas copas y finalmente, de vuelta al aeropuerto, ver el Coliseo, la Piazza San Marcos con el Vaticano, la Piazza Venezia, el Castillo Sant Angelo... . Una noche mágica.

MONDAY After a light brkfst the hostel provided, we are out the door for our return bus to the stazione, but it's not coming. Even a local woman is impatiently gesturing with her hands about the bus. Judge sees the piazza outside the station from where we are (we had to find the R2 stop because arrived on one-way street), and says intelligently, Dave, if we're gonna walk it we need to leave . We left immediately and when J picked up my black bag draped over my rollerboard to expedite things even more (slow negotiating the multiple sidewalk edges over and over) I figured after working up a good sweat, we'd have time leftover.
We did have 10 minutes, time enough to get waters, and get settled before our 9:24 Intercity train departure to Rome. 2 friendly Americans from NC sat with us, and we talked all the way to Rome! Great time, he does voiceovers and I was interested. His site is www.productionvoice.biz He and his wife hated Napoli, especially that their hotel had no food when they arrived and was in the middle of an industrial part of town. Crazy. They only were visiting Italy for 2 weeks. Although our windows were cleaner this time, our first class car lost it's air conditioning and became very warm. Ridiculous.
I stood in line to get our next 2 required RR supplements. Doesn't it seem crazy to have a rail pass and then have to spend in this case another 60 Euro or $100 MORE to ride a nice train? A short lady jumped the line and smiled at me. After reading about thieves here over and over, I got real nervous that she was going to steal something from me or the folks behind me. I kept facing her, fully prepared to yell YO! to J which is our emergency code word. J was standing away against a wall. Then we went outside and I sprung for a cab which took us directly to our hotel. A+. Costs extra for bags of course. The hotel clerk knew my name when we arrived! We had fun talking. He's high energy for sure. Said 20 minutes and room would be ready, it's just before noon. We settle in. No shower curtain at all. Not supposed to be one. Room is warm.
J is on a determined mission now to pack as much as possible with our limited time, and 60% chance of rain. We explore just a block away the magnificent white columned Vittorium, a museum inside. It's a HUGE building undergoing cleaning somewhat on the outside. Then it's off to the Pantheon. This was my highlight of Roma! After we drank in the rotunda with opening at top, J started his MP3 player featuring Rick Steves who talks about the Pantheon. We each had one earbud in and were able to sit in a few rows of pews together. How Perfect! Notes I took included: Next year, it will be it's 1400th year of continuous availability to the public for a place of prayer. 55 ton solid columns came from Egypt! It's 142 feet across and high. Raphael, who contributed to the creation is buried there. 20 foot-thick walls brick and concrete thin to 5 foot at the top. Dome is concrete! This was a first of it's kind, especially the 32-foot circular opening at the top, providing the only light inside. All faiths have always been welcome. Statutes of gods changed to more Christian themes.
Rick mentions the Trevi Fountains and I tell J we Have to go there... we do. It's all cleaned up too! Then another longer brisk hike, we are really pushing it.. to the Colliseum. There is a metal detector at the entrance, and J says he'll never make it past there with his daypack, and I happily offer to guard it while he goes in, I've been in there twice anyway. Great people watching, got a few drops, long conversation with a grandmother from Edmonton, and meet her daughter later who went to IU in Bloomington, IN! Neet! Then a man happens along to the place where I've been sitting, and turns out he used to live in Danville, KY, AND is retired of the Southern Railway! We had Lots to talk about! I had been thinking about my travel buddy Don Veazey recently, who died 3 years ago, and just got yesterday an e-mail from his wife, Carol who said how much fun he had had with me... and now I am looking at a guy who looks EXACTLY like him! Then, to top it off, Don and I were both assigned to Danville, KY working for the NS at the same time, even roomed together for a week, and Don is ex-Southern Railway too. It was one of those moments that you think you are being communicated to, or spirit revealing or something.
J comes out all smiling, had listened to Rick on another recording inside, and with rain about to happen, we hiked quickly back to the hotel across slippery street bricks, as it had really begun to rain. Room which had become hot during the day is now nice and cool.
I had little interest in the Vatican so let J go off to see it, and I relaxed in the room. He hiked there in 15 minutes (I call it the Vatican shuffle) and was very satisfied, heard another Rick audio talk. 8:15pm. Talking in the room, a big thunderstorm erupts all of a sudden, and at 10 we think we better eat something. Restaurant just around the corner made it easy in the rain. J has yet again a pizza. I had lasagna and a ..25liter of vino della casa red. All good. Still raining.

Roma, Italy: 5/19/08

            Arriving in Rome we grabbed a cab and went straight to our hotel. Dropped off the bags and off we went to do a whirlwind tour of Rome . Our hotel is right near the Piazza Venezia and the Museo del Risorgiemtno, which is a huge building like none that I have ever seen before. Enormous statues are on the rooftop of this building and along the stairs. After a quick walk through the museum and up to the top floor for a quick birds eye view of the city we were off to the Pantheon. Pictures of this place do not even come close to doing it any justice. Standing in front of this building I started to feel like I was actually in Italy . The crowd was not too bad so we went in and walked around, after awhile we took a seat and I got out my MP3 player to listen to a Rick Steves’ audio tour of the Pantheon. On Rick Steves’ website I was able to download some audio files of sights in Italy . We then headed over to Trevi Fountain; Dave said it looked much better than the last time he saw it in ’96. There was a mass of people just hanging out here but I was still able to walk around and toss some change into the fountain. Makes me wonder how much money they pull out of that fountain each year? I am sure the number would shock most people! Legend has it if you toss one coin into the fountain you will have a speedy return to Rome , two and you will fall in love there, three and wedding bells will be in the near future. Not knowing this until I just read it in the guide book, I tossed three coins back over my shoulder into the fountain. Well mom I guess you will be happy. Haha!

Next up was the Colosseum; the line was not too bad so I jumped in line and had a short ten minute wait. I listened to another Rick Steves’ audio tour as I walked all over the Colosseum. Again this is another structure that pictures just don’t do it justice. The one my friend Colin and I visited in Pula Croatia in the fall of ’06 is much more in tact, but this one is ENOURMUS! The skies opened up and the rain began to team down as we ran back to the hotel.

I waited for a bit before changing into some pants so I could get into St. Peter’s Basilica; didn’t want to walk all the way down there and get stopped by the pants Nazi’s. I made record time walking down to Vatican City , reached it in 15 minutes (the same distance on the way back took me over 30 at my regular pace).

Arriving at the Vatican sweat pouring off me I headed straight into St. Peter’s; there was no line this time of the day ( 17:00 ). What a place this is! I was taken back by the sheer magnitude of its beauty and grand size. At the same time I shook my head about the cost this place must have exacted on the people. Being raised a Catholic I can appreciate the significance of going to this “ Mecca ”, but too me personally the true grand cathedrals will be seen in a few days when I get to Switzerland (The Alps).

I spent a few hours just walking around the Basilica taking it all in before I headed out to St. Peter’s Square. Add the Vatican City and all 108.5 acres of it to my list of countries I have now been too. I did not have the time to get into the Sistine Chapel, I will just add it to my list of things I need to do next time.

By the time I got back to the hotel my feet were a barking. It had been a very long day of walking all over the city of Rome . After a late dinner (I had another good pizza) I was ready for some shuteye.

The next day began back again at the Pantheon, this time going inside. And it was, as always a beautiful and somewhat astounding sight. Then to the Trevi fountain, Piazza del Popolo, past the Richard Meyer’s building over the Ara Pacis, and into St. Peters.

Again, free for the afternoon. So after lunch I struck out to explore some of the places I’d never been before in Rome. I hit up La Chiesa San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane by Borromini. It has a very unusual and beautiful elliptical dome. Then I wandered up to Santa Maria degli Angeli which was originally part of the Baths of Diocletian and redesgined by Michelangelo. The exterior looks still like roman ruins but the inside is definetly a church. And the final church of the day was Santa Maria della Vittoria to see the Saint Theresa in Ecstasy, both by Bernini.

The day concluded with an auspicous meeting up with others from my group and a great picnic dinner in front of the Trevi Fountain and various late night wanderings.

School trip number 3 was a three day stint in Rome. Hopped on the train with all 50ish of my classmates, then on to a bus out to Tivoli to see Villa d’Este and Hadrain’s Villa. BUT it was Monday and they were both closed… Planning problems clearly with the organizers of this trip. So some rearranging and we began a tour of some of ancient Rome. Began at the coliseum past the forum (which you can’t get into now without paying) up to the capitoline hill, past the first Jesuit church, into another important Jesuit church and ending at the Pantheon. Sorry for not going into much detail here. I've already seen most of these places so I was tuning out just a bit. The Coluseum of course was more incredible than I remembered.

After the tour we were free for the evening. My roommates and I then headed to clean up and out to dinner. After a stop in a shoe store we came out to pouring rain and ran to the restaurant and waited soaking wet for a table, not willing to go out again to find a new one. Dinner was yummy (squash blossom white pizza, veggie red pizza and yummy salad and of course some vino) and we were able to wait out the storm in the restaurant and head home in clearer weather.

Very expensive but also very very nice! This restaurant is located on famous the Piazza della Rotonda. That means you have dinner on one of the oldest squares of Rome with a view of the Pantheon. And that's not all.... The food is great! We ate here several times now. The first time was in 2006 but this year when we visited Rome again, we went back to this restaurant and it's still great. We ate carpaccio di manzo which tasted great in this restaurant. After that, i had grilled squid. Yummmm! The best i ever had. Honestly. We ate so much that we couldn't have desert anymore but i remember from the last time that that was amazing as well. The atmosphere was great, i don't have to mention that again do i? On the evening we were here, AS Roma had to play a soccer game so there was a screen outside for those who wanted to see the match. That was really nice, it made the evening really Italian. The waiters from all the restaurants on the square went to see it. I've been here a few times now and the next time i'll go back to Rome, i'll have dinner here again!

Daphne Inn is an American-owned inn in the center of Rome. The building is actually an apartment building so there are actual tenants. There are two locations in Rome that are a couple of blocks apart. Daphne Trevi and Daphne Veneto. I stayed at the Veneto (which has an elevator). Depending on what time of the year you visit, the rooms can get pricey. About $300 usd a night for a triple room with a prviate bathroom in july. Their prices range from 90 euros to 550 euros. This place is a bed and breakfast so an amazing breakfast was served every morning which included bread, deli meats, fruits, jams, cafe latte, juice, cereal, pastries...The rooms were cleaned every day to perfection, the staff is completely friendly and all spoke English. The staff sits down with you when you arrive to give you any all information you need/want. We got some great tips...our flight arrived in the morning, way before check-in time and they were able to accomodate us within an hour or so. There is an elevator at the veneto location (a slow one, but an elevator nonetheless) in case you need better accesibility. There was a safe in the room, and an air conditioner that you can control yourself...and on hot july days, that air conditioner saved the day. The shower stall is small but it gets the job done. I highly recommend this place and i really think my trip to Italy was enhanced because of this place. The inn also provides a shared space with a laptop and free internet access (three rooms shared that space and it works out well.)

Rome

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