In between booking a hotel in Amalfi & securing this shockingly fabulous villa in Praiano, I’ve hardly had time to blog, or make art, or journal, or eat. Wait. I think the wood-fired goat cheese pizza made in Italy via Trader Joes that’s heating up in the oven qualifies as eating. Okay, well I’ve hardly had time to breathe. How’s that? Now to find the perfect hotel in Rome…
The planning is almost the best part of any trip because once the planning is done the dreaming can begin. My sister and I think it’s going to be great fun to drive in Rome. True, she said she was going to wear horse blinders, but I have assured her that a joyride through Rome is the perfect start to our Italian Adventure. If you’ve driven here I’d love to have my head filled with harrowing stories and daring tales of white knuckling your way through all the scooters. Please share via comments or emails. The more Roman Holiday stories the better. Please consider my tip/ advice/recommendation line open for business. Since this is our first trip to Italy we really do want to know EVERYTHING.
In the last week my attention has wandered over to the travel section of the blogosphere. I’ve really enjoyed reading about a family’s trek through Europe.
If you feel like dreaming about a villa of your own you can go HERE and clickety click your way around. Something is sure to catch your fancy!
Wow – it looks incredible…BUT… do consider a trip to South Africa. Culture,art, wildlife and geographical beauty 🙂
I am beyond delighted for you!!! How wonderful!!! xxo
When I was a bit younger we lived in Italy for a summer. My father’s family is Italian and my Nona liked to say that in Italy the red lights are just a suggestion. 🙂
I have to say Milan is a fabulous city–although less Italian and more paneuropean. The north is my favorite as well. My experiences in Rome were also so-so. My best advice to you is not to plan on eating at one specific time because restaurants (especially in the smaller areas) don’t always run on a rigid time table. I remember one time showing up to eat at 8, and they didn’t open the doors until 9 and we didn’t eat until ten. My best advice for finding food is this: Find a good bakery or coffee shop and ask for restaurant be sure to tell them you want true regional cuisine. Then, if you like the restaurant ask for another recommendation. Avoid asking at hotels or tourist spots because they give Americans what they think they will like….
And remember when you’re driving tell your sister: “Non ti preocupare. Tuti va bene!”
have a great time!
Sister! You are going to Italy????? It’s BEAUTIFUL there. And Rome…My favorite. But driving arount it? OY! Let me just say, BE CAREFUL! All those mopeds and cars, much, much worse than LA. Let’s do lunch or dinner this week. I’m so happy for you and sister Carol!
Brotha Paul
Your Villa Getaway a Praiano looks incantevole! Enchanting! I have only been as far south as Napoli (& can hardly wait to return in November). I can’t seem to get out of the North of Italia.
One of my best memories of Rome, from 3 yrs. ago, is riding in a tiny Fiat, at breakneck speed round & round those circles, with famous monuments whizzing by. In the driver’s seat was a friend & mentor from New York, Beatrice, then 79! Of course she’s been to Rome a thousand times & knows everything. She said, “I need a gelato from…(I’ve forgotten the name but Bea claims its the best gelatteria in Roma) and she abruptly did a u-turn, drove a few kms. & pulled right up on the sidealk in front of the place!
I don’t have the nerve to rent a car in Rome (finding parking is a big part of that) and walk everywhere instead. Rome is a great walking city, like N.Y. Also, their Metro system is very good for getting to different parts of the city (& very easy to navigate.) But, you Go Girl! Get that car & have a fab experience!! (I’d ride with you too, if I could!)
I adore Rome. I can’t explain it but, as I’ve gotten to know it a little, over time, its my favorite city after New York. (Chicago of course is my hometown so its not on the list.) On my first trip there, back in 1970!, I was beside myself with joy – the Colosseum, Via Veneto, Museo di Vaticano, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, all the famous sights I’d always dreamed about. This Nov. will be my 10th or 11th visit to the Eternal City. No longer needing to stand in the lines at the Vatican (in 1970 there were none!) or get my picture taken with the Gladiator guides at the Colosseum, yet still a beginner in getting to know this fantastic complex city.I mean, its ROME for God’s sake! It’s awesome!! Last Dec. I discovered a bookstore that sold only books on films & cinema, I bought a new pair of eyeglases – brown & purple – from Mondello Ottico. It was more like a salon than an eyeglass boutique because the owner picked the frames he thought were best for me & then engaged all the other customers in the store for their opinion of which ones I should buy. (Everyone voted for his 1st choice.) I discovered that my hotel was next door to the church (basilica) that is the setting for the 1st act in La Traviata (which previously I thought was just a figment of Verdi’s imagination.) When I stopped in a salumeria for a sandwhich & told the butcher I wanted a lean meat with the provolone, 3 elegantly dressed Roman matrons, gave me & the butcher advice on which meat i would like. I also saw, last winter, one of the tourist sights I’d always missed on earlier trips – Castel Sant’Angelo. To get there you walk over the Tiber on a bridge with marble angels designed by Bernini guiding your way.I walked there before sunset on a Sunday evening along with Romans walking their dogs & taking the passeggiata down a street full of small studios for restoring decorative plaster pieces from i palazzi & le chiese, palazzos & churches. With the tourist season over, the cafe at the top was pretty empty & I had a view of all of Rome to myself with my caffe’ coretto.
The visit to Rome before that, I visited a friend who had received a fellowship to paint at the American Academy of Rome. Whewh! A once in a lifetime experience to be there, see her studio & have lunch with her and all the other residents – writers & artists all.
I could go on for hours about Rome but it is one of the greatest cities (& has been) of the world. It just takes a little time to get to know it – or the rest of your life, if you are lucky! YOU will love it! (And remember, this is only the first time there for you of many!!) con amore, Suzanne
I agree with Dawn about Rome. The Vatican and Coliseum were amazing but Rome itself was just so-so. I have been to Italy many times and prefer Florence/Tuscany, Venice, Verona, and the riviera much more than I liked Rome. The last time I was in Venice there were sooooo many tourists that it made it less magical. Still, there’s nothing quite like arriving at the Venice train station and walking out right to the canals. It’s incredible.
Oh my what an adventure this will be wishing i could go and see all the wonderful sites!!! you will have a blast I am sure!!! and can’t wait to see all the pics you will post of course!! thanks for the eye candy!! sure pretty!! hugs Linda
Last time I drove around Rome was in the 1970s..while living in Germany. I was young…22…and I felt like I was on Mr. Toads Wild Ride at Disneyland, especially when I saw cars up on the sidewalk! I do have one suggestion…when crossing the street while on foot in Rome, do so when a group of priests and nuns are doing it…that’s what my Mom taught me…and it worked everytime 🙂 Safe and sound!