Arriving in Rome!

We had a very good and uneventful flight.  Air Canada in Toronto did the checks of our vaccine status, required antigen test, and EU Passenger Locator Form (which we filled out digitally a few days before our flight).   We were about an hour late leaving Toronto and landed at 9:30 a.m. this morning (about 45 minutes late).  The direct flight was just under eight hours to Rome.  I managed to see two movies-- The Sound of Metal and of, course, a Humphrey Bogart movie (this time it was The Maltese Falcon).  When we arrived, Italian customs just stamped our passports with no questions asked!  I guess they rely on Air Canada to ensure that everything was in order. 


Signage at the Rome Airport - masking still required inside stores and a European Green Pass needed for indoor dining and other indoor venues (Canadians need proof of double vaccination).

Our biggest surprise was landing in beautiful weather- blue sky, with a high of 22C.  Allan got a SIM Card and we took a train to Trastevere Station and then a short tram to a stop about a five minute walk from our Airbnb.  

Rose, our host, met us and showed us around the apartment.  She has been most helpful with restaurant and other suggestions of where to go in the 'hood.   We stayed in a different part of Trastevere our last visit to Rome in 2012.  Trastevere was a working-class district in papal Rome and remained so until well after unification in 1870.  Trasteverini are proud of their identity and claim descent from indigenous Estruscans.  They boast they are the only true Romans and celebrate their heritage in a two week long street festival in July.  There are lots of narrow, cobbled streets and Piazzas in the area which hugs part of the Tiber River.

Our Airbnb is fairly spartan, but it is very clean, well lit and quite large.

Our building

Alonso at the entrance

Fabulous old elevator-- we are in an apartment at ground level


Living room and kitchen table

Modern bathroom with a washer


Bedroom--TV on other wall has Netflix


We then headed out for a bite to eat at Giselda, a neighbourhood forno (bakery), and cafe recommended by Rosa. 

One entrance to Giselda Forno

Inside where one ordered food-- also small grocery store with olive oils, jams etc..

We had some Roman pizza and Alonso had an afternoon cappuccino.  I had a great (1 euro) espresso. Coffee is a necessity in Italy and is very good and reasonably priced.

Alonso with our pizzas--- I had the potato pizza, which I like as it is non-dairy.

We stopped at a store with wonderful cheeses and meats which we decided to get for a light dinner.  So many sheep cheeses for me to eat!

Lots of fabulous cheeses and meats


We then wandered some more in Trastevere-- the blue sky and lighting was dazzling.

Fabulous architecture and lighting

Beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere -- I love the palm trees on the second level.

Checking the map in one of the many Piazzas we walked through

Passed this lovely patio where they were serving fresh orange juice and gelato


We walked to the Tiber River and crossed over to the Centro Storico (Historic Centre) of Rome.

The Tiber River-- we used to run here in 2012, when we were in Rome for three weeks.

Not a bad selfie

St. Peter's Basilica in the background

Alonso and I on the bridge over the Tiber 

We walked up to Campo di Fiori-- the farmers' market had already packed up, but the square was still very busy.

One of many narrow streets

Campo di Fiori

One of our favourite streets nearby

We wandered some more and then returned to the apartment for a much needed nap.  We had a light dinner of a charcuterie plate, some wine from the Lazio (Rome) region, fresh green beans and a small salad.

Alonso prepping dinner


A busy day exploring and getting settled in Rome.  

Comments

  1. NicolasOctober 9, 2021 at 8:59 AM

    I love Trastevere area. We plan to go back to Italy next year

    ReplyDelete
  2. Karen MondokOctober 9, 2021 at 12:02 PM

    Hurray, Toby & Alonso!! Brett & I will be following along on your Italian adventure. Italy was our last European destination before lockdown. So much to see, eat, drink & enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TobyOctober 10, 2021 at 10:08 AM

      Hope you get here soon! We're so glad we have returned to Rome- 9 years since our last visit.

      Delete
  3. Flaner de ParisOctober 9, 2021 at 2:30 PM

    Great photos and setting the tone for more. In your selfie photo, it looks like Alonso got the top of his hair died to match your hair Toby. Très cute and daring Alonso.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TobyOctober 10, 2021 at 10:06 AM

      Just the wind!! But I had the same thought as you!

      Delete

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