Tuesday was our test. Went out for drinks afterwards with the class.
Wednesday started our trip to Italy. We arrived in Rome and navigated our way to the train. 30 min later, we arrive at Roma Termini and walk (getting slightly lost once) to our hotel. Our room was …. decorative.
(picture TBA)
We wandered around for dinner and found a place that was not nearly as good as Boston’s North End. After dinner, we went to the Trevi fountain, which was under construction, and the Spanish Steps, which were bring and mobbed with tourists. Disappointing trip – until we hit Tuscany.
Took a train Thurs morning to Siena by way of Florence. Our friends who were already on vacation met us at the station. From there, we drove into Siena which was the first of many small towns we thoroughly enjoyed. After lunch in the main Piazza del Campo (at Ristorante “La Costa”, which was just OK but still much better than Rome), Jim and Kathryn climbed the tower while Erin and I wandered the Palazzo Pubblico. After gelato, we made our way by car to Montalcino.
The best Italian meals of our lives proceeded in this order:
Dinner Thursday: Boccon Di Vina, Montalcino
Lunch Friday: Castella Banfi, Montalcino
Dinner Friday: Il Grappalo Blu, Montalcino
Lunch Saturday: “Da Carlo” Trattoria, Orvieto, Umbria.
Kathryn also bought a leather purse in Orvieto before we made our way back to the Hotel Piccio to grab our bags and then the train – to Roma Termini.
Before dinner on Saturday (the reservation got screwed up – BTW), Kathryn and I wandered the outskirts of the ruins. Dinner was near the Colosseum at Hostaria Da Nerone. Finally got something close to resembling veal parm.
Sunday was spent in the Palatine and Forum ruins. Followed by a forgettable pizza lunch, then the Vatican. The Sisteen Chapel was closed, but the Basillica was enormous and breathtaking. Kathryn and I climbed the dome for better views of the city, but it was too far from the ruins to feel like we were looking out over Rome.
Sick of the mediocre Italian food in Rome, we had dinner and drinks at the Westin Excelsior. Early to bed, as we needed to catch an early morning flight back to Amsterdam.
Restaurants Visited
Cafe Tripel (drinks only)
Ristorante “Trident”, Rome
Ristorante “La Costa”, Siena
Boccon Di Vina, Montalcino
Castella Banfi, Montalcino
Il Grappalo Blu, Montalcino
“Da Carlo” Trattoria, Orvieto, Umbria
Hostaria Da Nerone, Rome
Westin Excelsior, Rome