We easily got our luggage and were on our way.
A driver from our hotel (The Rose Garden Palace) picked us up, and we were off for the 30-40 minute drive to the hotel.
We arrive at the hotel at 9:45AM, checked in, and dropped our luggage since our rooms weren't quite ready, and we decided to walk to see the Spanish Steps.
Our hotel is located directly across from the impressive US Embassy:
While the fountain, steps and architecture are impressive, the area leaves a lot to be desired from Elvis-like paintings for sale, venders hawking their parasols and forcing roses on you (only to then ask for money later) to cheesy "gladiators" roaming around hoping you'll ask to take their picture (again, for a price). We went and then moved on.
There are 137 white marble steps that cascade down from the Trinita dei Monti church to Piazza di Spagna. They were completed in 1726 and got their name from the Spanish Embassy who set up shop in the piazza in the early 17th century. But it was the French who paid for the steps' construction to create a grand entrance to the French-owned Trinita dei Monti church. The fountain at the bottom of the Spanish Steps is called Fontana della Barcaccia and it was built in 1629 by Bernini's father, Pietro, in memory of the flood of 1598).
We then trekked over to Trevi Fountain (and perused fabulous shops along the way such as Gucci, Fendi, Bulgari etc.). It was beautiful (other than the thousands of people crowded around it I mean). We did the ubiquitous coin toss and photo shoot and decided we were then ready for food.
The "over the left shoulder toss" at Trevi Fountain is said to ensure your returning to Rome. The Italian government welcomes the tradition - euros stay in the city treasury and foreign currencies are donated to the Red Cross.
We then decided we were ready for food and set off to search. We stumbled into a place (Al Presidente, via in arcione) as we headed back to our hotel. They were warm and welcoming, and we quickly sat down and dined al fresco with a cool breeze to enjoy. Unfortunately we wolfed down our appetizer before I could grab a camera, but let me tell you it was delicioso!!! It consisted of a platter of freshly sliced prosciutto (best I've ever tasted), thinly sliced melon, fresh mozzerella and tomatoes drizzled with basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil AND a very thinly sliced salami covered in freshly shaved parmesan. As if that wasn't enough, we each ordered pizzas.
After stuffing ourselves silly, we hiked back to the hotel and got to our rooms, unloaded and crashed. We are going to be exploring more this afternoon (as best we can going on fumes!) and have dinner reservations at Roscioli - supposed to be great!
Later - Ciao!
UPDATE:
We slowly recuperated and headed out to explore our neighborhood. Via Veneto is just a beautiful street to stroll along. We scoped out Despara, a small grocery store, that has wines, liquors, and great looking fruit, cheeses, breads etc. - so we'll go there and stock up on things for a planned picnic on Sunday.
Then we went to Harry's Bar (whose Venice location is famed for creating the Bellini), and again we sat outside and people-watched while (this time) sipping Bellini's and Rossini's in a picture perfect setting.
Now it's off to Roscioli for dinner and then an early night - whew!
ROSCIOLI! (My new favorite restaurant in Rome)
La Burrata
Burrata from Andria with Black Pepper from Malesia
and semi-dried cherry tomatoes from Pachino
Doug's Carbonara:
Spaghettone di Gragnano with guanciale (spiced bacon) from Conero,
Three kind of peppers, the egg from Paolo Parisi, pecorino romano dop
Ross and I had:
La Matriciana o Amatriciana
Bombolotto paffuto (short maccheroni)with tomatoes ‘Miracolo di San Genna-
ro’, guanciale (spiced bacon) from Conero and pecorino romano dop
And Caroline's - Spaghetti Amatriciana with the addition of anchovies:
All so so wonderful!
We stopped for a gelato for dessert, and then we went to the Hotel Excelsior for a digestivo!
Then it was back to our hotel for an early bedtime! Not a bad first day!
Tomorrow is a packed full day beginning with a long trek to the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is the prototype for every modern sports arena. In ancient Rome it was THE spot for gladiator contests, chariot fights and wild beast shows (lions, bears, tigers etc. would emerge and be slaughtered by "beast slayers" - fun huh?). Apparently emperors gained power and prestige from the shows they offered up to the crowds - the more bloody the better. The word "arena" is Latin for "sand" which is what was spread over the bottom to soak up the blood.
Emperor Vespasian started construction in AD 72.
Amazing....See you tomorrow!
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