Arrividerci to Villa gli Stemmi/I Ponti and to the remaining Arrows who were traveling to Rome, Florence and Naples. All accounts were in order and departure was about 10:45. Peter, Bea, Tom and I left for Rome and our last night in Italy.
The autostrade route to Rome was easy, so we all sat back and enjoyed the passing verdant countryside and hill towns. Stopped the first time for cappuccino, of course. Our second stop was for a light lunch of sandwiches which which we enjoyed immensely. It's amazing how large, clean and interesting the rest stops are along the autostrade. Our last stop, close to the airport, was for gas. We then proceeded directly for car rental return at Fiumicino airport.
All went pretty smoothly at the airport. Returned the car, got our boarding passes but were unable to check bags. When finished with airport business, we found a taxi to our hotel in Rome, Hotel Lirica, right next door to the Opera. We decided it would be better for Bea to stay close to the hotel so called Francine and Bill et al and told them we would not join them that evening. Even though Bea was still a bit under the weather with her cold, we asked in the hotel about tickets to the opera (Bea can always rally for an opera!) but it was sold out!!
The hotel itself, after climbing a long stairway, was quite nice. We had very nice rooms on the third floor and the walls were a rich fabric matching the headboard! Each room also had a couch and a very adequate bathroom.
After a short rest, we gathered in the Sextons' room for a drink. Bea was feeling "okay" and when we told her we were in for the evening, she INSISTED we go out and she would go, too. We chose a restaurant close to the hotel, took the short walk to the Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, spent some time in the church of the same name, sat at a cafe to watch people and vehicles, did a little shopping and walked to the Ristorante Terminal fi Diocleziano.
We ate at the rooftop garden where the service was abundant and gracious. We had saltimbocco, pollo, risotto, cacio di pepi and salads with a bottle of red wine. Because we were staying at the Hotel Lirica, we each had a complimentary glass of Limoncello. Tutti Deliciosa!!! We were all in bed and asleep by 9:30.
Spent Sunday traveling. Left the hotel in Rome at 7:30, barely made the connecting flight in Paris, landed at Logan at 3:35 and made the 4:45 bus by the "skin of our teeth!"
Home Sweet Home!!!
