Culture, Cuisine and Chasing the Lights

[amaroo]

After settling in, we headed out for dinner.

La Taverna dei Fori Imperial https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Rest...La_Taverna_dei_Fori_Imperiali-Rome_Lazio.html

Enjoyable meal, worth a visit if you're in the area.

Forgot to take photos of the food - I had Sea Bass, beautiful.





Short walk back to the Villa completed a great day in Roma.

 

[amaroo]

Roma - Day 2

Since the Villa is located close to the Trevi Fountain, we decided to hit this tourist site first.

The Trevi has been under renovation for the past 18 months ... lucky for us, it reopened a few weeks ago

Along the way we got to see the changing of the guards at the Pres residence.



Trevi Fountain

 

[amaroo]

Pantheon was next on the list.. This building is a favourite - absolutely stunning.

Classic photo

 

[amaroo]

Slow walk towards Piazza Navona.

 

[love_the_life]

Last time in Rome we had a room/studio just off the Piazza Navona - loved it.

The weather looks stunning for this time of the year.

 

[amaroo]

Lunch - Le Streghe

Spontaneous stop for lunch ... ok, but not good enough to get me back again.

 

[amaroo]

Castle Saint' Angelo ... another favourite https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Sant'Angelo

 

[love_the_life]

Do they still serve coffee at the top of Castel Sant D'Angelo? I seem to remember having one there - very pleasant - though then again the memory ain't what it was! I'm weeping with envy here in my lounge room for Christmas.

 

[amaroo]

Last time in Rome we had a room/studio just off the Piazza Navona - loved it.

The weather looks stunning for this time of the year.

The weather has been brilliant ... no need for jackets during the day.

Do they still serve coffee at the top of Castel Sant D'Angelo? I seem to remember having one there - very pleasant - though then again the memory ain't what it was! I'm weeping with envy here in my lounge room for Christmas.

Yes, restaurant is still doing a roaring trade. Nice views!

 

[amaroo]

Dinner tonight is Ad Hoc https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1381800-Reviews-Ad_Hoc-Rome_Lazio.html

Nice place that specialises in Wine and Truffles.







Wine list (Red only) ... Impressive at 165 pages!

 

[amaroo]

..........

 

[amaroo]

Not the best meal we've had in Rome however, it was one of the most expensive at €300 ... Verdict - not good enough to get me back.

 

[amaroo]

Day 3 - Rome

Been looking forward to this day. A new experience for all of us - Pompeii

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeii

We were going to self drive and stay in the area for a couple of nights however, after a little research we decided on booking a private tour and remain in our Roman Villa.



It's a big day! We were picked up at 7.30am and returned at 6.30pm.

The company we selected was excellent and I'm happy to pass on details for anyone interested.

FWIW The tour cost €710 (4 people) which included car, driver, guide, trip to Sorrento. Tickets to enter Pompeii were not included.

Terrific day! We arrived at Pompeii around 10.15 where we hooked up with our guide. We walked around the ruins for 3 hours (only saw a fraction of the site) and then drive to Sorrento for lunch.

Pompeii is well worth the effort. This is my fourth visit to Rome and my first to Pompeii - I'm really glad we had the opportunity to share this experience with the kids.

Took an enormous amount of photos ... will cull them down and then post.

 

[Rugby]

We enjoyed a half day at Pompeii a few years ago, the guide was impressed I'd done 4 years of Latin at school....until I said all I remember is 'Caecilius est pater'

 

[amaroo]

Pompeii - Stunning.

 

[amaroo]

..........

 

[amaroo]

Mt V in the background...

 

[love_the_life]

Great pics, thanks. And still amazed by your good weather. I suppose you should not get too soft as north Norway will be a tad different I am thinking.

 

[amaroo]

Great pics, thanks. And still amazed by your good weather. I suppose you should not get too soft as north Norway will be a tad different I am thinking.

Thanks LtL

Currently enjoying Xmas in Perugia ... the weather is still holding.

View attachment 60819

Although yesterday was a little dodgy - view from our balcony.

 

[amaroo]

Sorrento... about 40 minute drive from Pompeii. Hate to think how long it would take in summer.







Sorrento lunch - first pizza of the trip