Reset search
Italy 2022Italy 2022
SatelliteEdit route

Italy 2022

April 2022
A 10-day adventure by Jcrieff Read more
  • 31footprints
  • 2countries
  • 10days
  • 176photos
  • 0videos
  • 6.8kmiles
  • 6.7kmiles
Follow Calendar Share Bucket list
Date descending
  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 10

    Traveling home

    April 29, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    I decided that since I had a ton of time, I would walk to the station. It was a 17 min walk according to Google, so probably a half hour. It wasn't so bad and it might be most of the walking I get today!

    I bought my ticket and was grateful for elevators for both down and up to the platform. I had less than a 10 minute wait, and the train isn't crowded. This is about a 1/2 hour trip and then I start the airport trials!

    Check in was very fast, since I had completed the Delta Fly-Ready beforehand. Security was also a breeze. I looked for a Delta Sky Lounge, but settled on a wine bar, since I didn't think I'd spend more than $39. I had my first Aperol spritz--okay, and my second.

    Next stop was the gate. Forgot that I would need to go through immigration again, which took another 10 minutes. I'm at the gate, which has an electronic sign that says, "Departs 13:15--Boards 14:00." That's some interesting timing!

    I'm on the plane now and we were able to take off our masks once the doors closed. At that point we became a sovereign territory. This section is three across seats, not 2. Apparently Comfort + is the new main cabin. Ready for my 10 hour flight....    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 10

    L'ultimo giorno

    April 29, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    I was awoken at 4am to a text. My flight had been pushed back almost 2 hours. That makes my connection in Atlanta questionable. That set my mind racing about what will happen. I finally remembered that there is nothing I can do and if I get stuck in Atlanta, so be it.

    I got out of bed at about 7:30am and started the final packing. I put my bathing suit and another shirt in my carry-on, along with my pj pants. That way, I will have something to wear in Atlanta, if I get stuck. I had a cornetto for breakfast and 2 cups of coffee. I'm soaking up my last Roman sunshine before I head out!    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 9

    L'ultimo sera

    April 28, 2022 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 66 °F

    I am stuffed and tired. Yet I am waiting outside a trattoria for one last meal. They should be open soon. Open now. I am sitting inside, as the outside tables all filled up a head of time..

    I came home after my negative covid test and sat on the balcony with my wine. I also ate most of the cheese from the bike tour. The restaurant didn't open until 8pm, so I hung out until almost 7:30pm. Walking to the restaurant, I couldn't imagine eating any more (or drinking!), but here I go...

    The food was okay. I had gnocchi with a red sauce and a side of seasonal veggies. They turned out to be puntarelle. Let's just say that I will not be wasting energy growing puntarelle. Glorified dandelion greens! I sat inside, by the door to outside. The place was hopping. All women running the place, except the man at the counter. It was a good dinner for 23€.

    I walked around a bit before I had one last visit to the piazza. Then I walked back--so tired! I packed my clothes that I wore to dinner and watched movie while drifting off to sleep.    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 9

    Testaccio market

    April 28, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    I got out fairly early and headed towards the Testaccio market. I walked through and entirely new part of the neighborhood. Much more local.

    It was a relatively short walk to the market. I found the sandwich place right away. It didn't appear open, so I walked around. So much good food! I walked by the sandwich place and saw a tour group and figured it was open. Got my Italian Veal and a bottle of wine. The tour was in English, so I eavesdrop a bit. They were getting a group picture of and I offered to take it. They were from Hinsdale! We chatted for a while and I asked the guide who she worked for. It was Katie Parla! I read her blog prior to coming here.

    From there I meandered around and stopped at a wine and food shop for gifts. I may keep them all for myself :) 😀. I bought limoncello for Kristen and truffle balsamic vinegar. Also some "polvere di leccino" that I have no idea what it is! I looked for fried olives, but couldn't find any, so I left.

    I went back to my room to drop off all the food. Saw the Hinsdale people on the bridge. Surprised the family here. I guess they're not used to people coming back so early in the day. Dropped off the food and headed for Campo di Fiori. I wanted the purple pashmina I saw before. Ended up with a two-tone one from. India. It's pretty.

    I still had half an hour before my covid test window, so I sat down for some lunch. It was right off the Campo, so I didn't expect much. The 1/2 liter of wine was good. The salad was not. I think they did dress it and didn't give me oil and vinegar. Oh well... I watched the street theater of trucks, vans, limos, kids, tourists, etc. After I finished my wine it was time for...the covid test...

    It turns out I picked up the wrong form. So I filled out the correct one and paid my 15€ for the test. The doctor was exactly like the one in Milan. Older, and very nice. The test was uncomfortable and the results available in 10 minutes. I got a gelato while I waited. Negative--of course. I stopped at Carrefour on the way home for gifts.

    Now I'm resting on the balcony. Checked in for tomorrow's flights and have started packing. I think I can keep the luggage under 50 lbs.!    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 8

    The long walk home

    April 27, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    After the bike tour, I decided to walk home. The deal I made with myself was that I could stop every 15 minutes for a drink or a gelato.

    I started by walking by the Hotel Canova , where Mom, Heather and I stayed 10 years ago. The street looked much more run down. I found a place for a spritz and stopped.

    I decided that I needed to brave the crowds at the Trevi Fountain.    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 8

    Bike tour

    April 27, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    I started by taking the H bus to Termini. It was hot and crowded. I was thinking about getting off and walking, when I saw the Vittorio Emanuele monument. I jumped off just as the doors were closing.

    After I got off, I realized I was by the forum and the coliseum. So I wandered and took a lot of pictures. So much so, that at one point I was worried that I'd be late for the tour.

    I got there and had the usual uncomfortable silence. At one point I heard someone say, "solo Guilia." I was worried I was the only one. I said, "sono Julie," and all was good.

    The tour consisted of a family from Venura, CA--Mom, 2 sisters, and one husband of a sister. Also a mom and daughter from Austria. Don't know the guide's name. There was zero instructions on how to use the bike. Just go.

    We started off through traffic and e-bikes are amazing. They may it so easy! We went past the Coloseum and stopped at the Caracalla baths. Then it was off towards the Vis Appia. It took about an hour to get to the road. It was very straight and very bumpy.

    We left the Via Appia and stopped at a field with horses. I warmed up to a bay mare and helped the mom/birthday girl get a picture, too. Then we rode back along the acquaduct park, which was an unexpected treat. I fell over turning a corner, which was more embarrassing than anything else.

    We stopped at a farmhouse with a lot of sheep. Turns out that's where the milk for the cheese came from. We had wine and cheese in a picnic area at the farm. Then we were off.

    We stopped for an espresso and bathroom before heading into town. It was much easier going back, since I was more used to the bike. However...the seat was absolutely killing me!

    Once we returned I said goodbye to the Californians, and started my journey back to Trastevere...    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 8

    Acqua Paola

    April 27, 2022 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 59 °F

    After breakfast I decided to walk up to the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola, since I missed it last night. It was a nice walk, with much of it on stair paths. The view was amazing, and the fountain as I remembered from 2019.

    I met some folks from the UK or Australia (I can never tell) that I did a group picture for. They invited me to sightsee with them! I passed, but what a nice gesture. Must be Aussies!

    I walked home a different way, through the more posh part of the town, ending up in the main district. I thought about stopping for lunch, but it was too early. I saw the covid test place, and picked up a form for tomorrow's test. I saw the suppí place and bought one for 2€ to bring home.

    Currently relaxing on the balcony with supplí, mozzarella, and some Orvieto Classico. Will leave soon for bike tour.    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 7

    Plan B

    April 26, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    I arrived at my room, ready to nap before dinner. I had a text that the dinner was canceled! The one thing i really wanted to do. Okay...plan B.

    I headed towards the piazza, for a place called Ottello's. It turned out to be packed, with a long line. So I wandered aroundand found a cramped little table at Mimi e Coco Tras. I walked up and said that I was solo and I'll take that table. That worked!
    I sat next to a cute family that was speaking English and German. There was a boy, around 8 years old, who was cracking me up. Eventually I found out that she's from New Zealand and he's from Switzerland, which is where they live. The boy told me all about the Trevi Fountain.

    I had just paid my check and who do I see? Bryan and the doctor! The funny thing was that I had a premonition that I would see them again... We walked around and chatted, winding up at the Piazza Maria. I have their info and hopefully we will FB friend. They headed to Trevi Fountain and I headed home.    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 7

    Artichokes!

    April 26, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    I found a table at a place that has 4+ stars on Yelp. I decided on the fried artichokes and then finish my pasta quest with the cacio e pepe.

    It was very good and I enjoyed watching the owner clean artichokes by the front door.

    Afterwards, I headed home--but stopped for gelato. Orange almond and chocolate orange. Perfetto!    Read more

  • TravelerItaly 2022
    Day 7

    Terme di Caracalla

    April 26, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    This place was huge! It is comprised of a large garden and then the baths. I walked around the garden, some of which I realized was part of the building at one time.

    There is not much to say, except I took a lot of pictures!

    Afterwards I walked to the Jewish Ghetto, taking the road along the Circus Maximus. The weather is absolutely perfect!    Read more

  • 2024© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Blog
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Support
  • Legal notice
  • English