Veni, vidi, vici

September 2023

I came, I saw, I conquered Read more

96footprints
3countries
10days
589photos
0videos
14.3kkilometers
14.2kkilometers

Follow Calendar Share Bucket list

Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 10, 2023, 5:46pm
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 191 m
- Canada Ontario Centennial Park Toronto Pearson International Airport 43.685978, -79.62055243°41’10” N 79°37’14” W
Day 1
Day 1 - Taking to the Skies
September 10, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
It's Day 1, and it's going to be a long one.

I arrived at Pearson with lots of time to spare. Checked the flight board, and we're running on time. Woohoo!

I checked in for the flight online last night, so all I had to do was drop my bag. And yes, I managed to keep it under 50 lbs. I had to sacrifice shoes, so let's hope my feet survive the walking.

Cleared customs, no problem. Only two people in front of me. We're off to a good start. You know me and customs...

I decided to have dinner at Beer Hive and watch a little football. Go GB. I had a Bbq chicken pizza and a glass of wine. We'll see how that stacks up against the Italian version in a few days.

Wondered to the gate and the lounges. Nice upgrades. There are lots of places to sit and eat or plug in and just chill.

It's 8:15, so we'll begin boarding in about an hour. Think I'll people watch for a bit and do a little reading. Hopefully, I'll sleep on the plane. Maybe my days of riding the rails will help me nod off.

Catch you on the other side of the world.Read more
Erin Janiten Safe travels my sister, sleep well if you can. Can’t wait 🇮🇹🍕
9/10/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 11, 2023, 2:00pm
- ☀️ 32 °C
- Altitude: 66 m
- Italy Latium Rome Trevi Opera House 41.90155, 12.49567341°54’6” N 12°29’44” E
Day 2
Day 1.5 - Arrival
September 11, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
The flight was great, even though we left over an hour late. Dinner and wine were served, and then I had a nap. Not a lot of sleep during the flight. But I awoke to a beautiful, sunny morning.

You can see the sky was clear blue as we flew over the countryside.Read more
Traveler Now the walking begins. Enjoy exploring the cobblestones of Italy.
9/11/23Reply
Traveler Thanks. Sunday I did 7546 steps. Today was 4138. I'm just getting warmed up.
9/11/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 11, 2023, 3:30pm
- ☀️ 32 °C
- Altitude: 66 m
- Italy Latium Rome Trevi Opera House 41.901549, 12.4955741°54’6” N 12°29’44” E
Day 2
Day 1.5 - Leonardo Express
September 11, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
While the flight was great, the airport transfer wasn't as smooth.

I purchased my ticket for the Leonardo Express train ahead of time. This was supposed to be faster than standing on que at the ticket kiosk. It advertised that if you purchased the ticket online, it was pre-validated for travel. We'll not exactly true.

Because the flight was late I missed my train. No problem, I can catch the next one, right? Oh no, I now have to change the ticket time via the internet. OMG, what a shit show. The internet was weak at best, so the site kept failing. The service girl was becoming frustrated, and I was already there. I showed her the ticket QR Code, but that was not acceptable.

Finally she told me l had to speak to the train manager. After 20 minutes and now two missed trains, the manager said, "Please board signoria." I hauled ass to the next open car and heaved my luggage aboard.

30 minutes, and I'd be in the city center...ahhRead more
0 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 11, 2023, 4:00pm
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 66 m
- Italy Latium Rome Trevi Opera House 41.901549, 12.4955741°54’6” N 12°29’44” E
Day 2
Day 1.5 - Where's My Hotel
September 11, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
I arrived at the Rome main station and pushed my way through the doors to get to the platform. Good thing I'm a commuter. It's definitely elbows up here.

This terminal is bustling with people and shops. There are a few pics for now, but more at departure when I have time to browse.

I asked for directions at the station, but was met with I don't know. So I set off to find my hotel. I went directly to a Farmacia and received excellent directions in English from two people.

Travel that way to the big fountain and turn left. I'm thinking really, left at the big fountain. Now how many big fountains do you think there are in Rome....lol

So off walking in the direction they said and low and behold, a big fountain. I turned left and left again, and there I was. Hotel Petite.Read more
2 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 11, 2023, 4:15pm
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 66 m
- Italy Latium Rome Trevi Opera House 41.901549, 12.4955741°54’6” N 12°29’44” E
1
Day 2
Day 1.5 - The Room
September 11, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
The entrance to the hotel is two huge wooden doors. Buzz for entrance, and you enter an old building dating to 1839. It has been beautifully restored and houses three hotels and a nice little restaurant. Dinner there tonight.

The reception is plain, and I meet Roberta, the lovely desk clerk I have been chatting with pre-trip. I get checked-in without delay and head to my room.

This hotel has been recently renovated, so I'm expecting a nice, comfortable European room. I was spot on :)

The room is small. But what European room isn't. Full bath with dual shower heads. A tidy clothing area and a queen size bed. There's a small balcony that opens to the side alley, so I think as a single traveler that will remain locked. But the light fills the room.

I unpacked, organized, and hit the comfy bed for a nap. I have arrived.Read more
Erin Janiten Small but cozy, very European. 👍🏻😁
9/11/23Reply
Traveler Looks clean and comfy to me. Very nice!
9/11/23Reply
Perfetto!👍 [Erika]
2dReply
3 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 11, 2023, 9:29pm
- 🌙 23 °C
- Altitude: 66 m
- Italy Latium Rome Trevi Opera House 41.901549, 12.4955741°54’6” N 12°29’44” E
1
Day 2
Day 1.5 - Cotto Ristorante
September 11, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 23 °C
I awoke from my nap refreshed and starving. Breakfast on the plane was an apple bree pastry at around noon. Not the best, but there was MILK!!! Finally, someone gets it.

Dinner was Risotto Scomposto con Bisque di Scampi. Yum, and of course a few glasses of Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, my fav...so far

That's about it for me tonight. Long day. I'll drop by the desk to lay out the plan for tomorrow, then off to bed.Read more
Traveler Fancy looking meal there.
9/11/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 12, 2023, 8:00am
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 68 m
- Italy Latium Rome Trevi Opera House 41.901722, 12.49570441°54’6” N 12°29’45” E
Day 3
Day 2 - Breakfast
September 12, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Good morning. It's going to be a sunny 30ish today.

Breakfast is European style with meats, cheeses, and pastries. Fresh fruit, yogurt cereals. And oh yes, milk. Out of the box and room temp, but I'll take it.

Today, we're going to the Pantheon, Galleria Borghese, Santa Mario del Popolo & the Square. Then off to the Alter of Peace and Via del Corso (shopping)Read more
Erin Janiten Sounds like an action packed day. Can’t wait to see your pictures & how many steps.
9/12/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 12, 2023, 9:40am
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 55 m
- Italy Latium Rome Pigna Obelisco del Quirinale 41.899191, 12.48668741°53’57” N 12°29’12” E
Day 3
Day 2 - Wandering
September 12, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
The plan has gone off the rails already. Those of you who are not planners are likely laughing your butts off right now.

The Galleria Borghese was not available, so I rescheduled for another day. I set out to see the Pantheon at 9:00 and didn't get there until 3:00. Oh, what an adventure.

Here are a few interesting sites along the way. They may be of importance, not sure. I just admired the architecture.Read more
Erin Janiten When in Rome just Roam 😂❤️🇮🇹
9/12/23Reply
Traveler Is that a palm tree 🌴 in one of those pics? They have palm trees in Rome/Italy??
9/15/23Reply
3 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 12, 2023, 9:59am
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
- Italy Latium Rome Pigna Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi 41.894557, 12.48623941°53’40” N 12°29’10” E
Day 3
Day 2 - The Wondering Continues
September 12, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Keep in mind that my destination is the Pantheon. I'm supposed to exit the hotel and turn left down Nationale to Via del Corso, the head north to Trevi Fountain. This will lead me to my destination. Hahaha😆

l ended up 20 minutes south.
I got distracted by the Foro
di Augusta and Foro di Nerva
archeological digs. A shout out to David Martin, who likes to dig in the dirt.

I will learn more about the ruins when I officially visit Palatine Hill, but here are a few pics of the story boards (what it was like in the day) and what
remains today. Imagine the grandure.

Notice the beauty and detail of the stone work. Amazing.Read more
2 likes
Traveler Veni, vidi, vici
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Sep 12, 2023, 10:11am
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 66 m
- Italy Latium Rome Trevi Opera House 41.901593, 12.49557641°54’6” N 12°29’44” E
Day 3
Day 2 - More Wandering
September 12, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Ok, now I think back on track. Head north and find Trevi Fountain. Nope, next distraction, the Vittoriano. The piazza was designed by Guiseppe Sacconi in 1885. It
was erected in honor of King Victor Emanuel II.

This was awesome. I spent a great deal of time here. Fantastic sculptures. The stone steps, and the marbel flooring. Look for the bronze carvings in the upper portion of the ceiling. I tried to capture these. And then there is the huge bronze statue of the King himself. Enjoy and marvel as I did.Read more
3 likes