Roaming in Rome on the First Day in Italy

I am documenting my trips as age catches up. This trip was done in June 2017, but I thought it a waste not to jot it down. I might backdate it after some time. Of course, a lot of details would have been forgotten on this small brain of mine but I shall try my best to recover the memories! 

Here we go:

We took a red-eye flight on Etihad Airways to Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome, Italy and reached there at 7.05am

Bought our train tickets to the city

Our train

Their classy Mc Cafe at Roma Termini, the Rome train terminal station

Lo and behold, the dreaded long staircase, as in the train stations of any history-rich city

Prior to our arrival, I had liaised with the lady in charge of our accommodation but she was still at least half an hour late, constantly telling me that she was on the way and reaching. Our spirits were not dampened though. Still very excited about the trip.

The reason for my choice of accommodation: central and close by to tourist attractions and a train station

After settling in at our stay-in, we went for our first meal in Italy at Otello, a cosy restaurant that was nearby.

We tried the fried zucchini flower (bottom right) and we thought it delicious! We ordered a second serving!

We dined outside the restaurant as recommended by reviewers. 

A pretty place with a garden theme.

Need no introduction: Trevis Fountain and Spanish Steps

It was challenging to take a picture without strangers beside you.

We adopted these steps:

Step 1: Compose the picture

Step 2: Ready yourselves

Step 3: Sprint to the spot when someone who finished camwhoring has just stepped away!

Step 4: Press the shutter, NOW!

Pose? Any!

William bought an extra set of tickets for the Colosseum not knowing that the tour I had booked had the tickets included so we decided to go explore ourselves at the Colosseum, blindly.

If anything, we camwhore there first.

I hadn't read up prior to the trip. 

Only vaguely knew that the Colosseum was an ancient stadium for sparring.

Most people stayed at the first and second stories as the stage and basement are restricted areas for tours.

After taking numerous pictures and buying souvenirs from the Colosseum, we walked over to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Can't even differentiate which was which!

Much was lost on us as what we saw before us were ruins, magnificent no less.

There were explanation notes at each point. Some were rooms of the royals.

As we exited the Roman Forum, we saw these street artists spray painting pictures of Colosseum for sale

Lots of passers-by but I didn't see anyone buying

Even the water coolers were so cool

The Colosseum evening lighting was very romantic

We didn't experience any racist treatment yet. At least it was not jarring or so obvious that we could feel it. 

However, by the time we got back to our accommodation, we felt bone-tired! Non-stop walking had taken a toll on our little bodies. Coco and I lamented how exhausting it was just to cover what little areas that we had covered of Rome! We were worried that we would not be able to cope with the rest of the 9 days, but a well-rested sleep left us raring to go the next day!

Palazzo Odoni - A Totally Lovely Venetian-Stay Experience

We took a morning train from Florence to Venice Santa Lucia Train Station.

All happy to be at the legendary city floating on the water

A dark, scrawny man approached us and offered his service to push our luggage to our hotel.

We were intrigued by this simple machine that the man used to manoeuvre up and down the many step-bridges of Venice. Each time, we wondered how he was going to do it but every time he moved the carrier quite effortlessly up and down the steps without pausing for a breath.

It certainly wasn't an exaggeration when I read from the internet that Venice has 'many bridges'!

We stayed at Palazzo Odoni, a beautiful Venetian apartment that felt homely and comfortable.

It was situated along one of the many canals. I should think just about every apartment or building in Venice is just next to a canal!

It looked unassuming from the outside and we could have missed it if not for the luggage man who told us this was it.

It looked a little run-down after we pushed open the door. I was a little worried.

The many steps up the apartment

The luggage man left after we reached the apartment so we had to lug the heavy luggage ourselves up  the stairs. Then ...

we were shocked to find another long flight of stairs, albeit carpeted one, awaiting us on the inside!

Needless to say, we huffed and puffed by the time we reached the reception counter.

It was a cosy reception though.

We were given the keys promptly and directed to our room.

The girls wowed when we entered the room.

Both wanted the canopied bed but I told Coco that Baby had helped me choose this place and I had given her my word that she would have this bed.

So Coco settled for this nonetheless lovely bed

 And this is William's and mine, just back to back with Baby's bed

Of course, had to inspect the bathroom

Nothing Venetian about the bathroom, but it was fine by us

The pretty breakfast room

Very thoughtful and delicate arrangements and decor

Someone raved that they served 'the best croissants'. 

It was good indeed.

Cereal corner

Did I mention that even the room key is beautifully accessorised?

Just outside the stay

While Venice is radiant and beautiful like a young maiden in the day, she could be quite eerie when night falls. And we are not talking about just the steps up our stay.

Would I recommend this place? The location is not that near to the tourist attractions. I knew that before I booked it. Although others maintained that it was 'walkable', 'within walking distance', but to someone who prefers to stay within a 3-minute walk to the train station in most cities, a 15- to 20-minute walk, even if it's leisurely, to the central area is quite far for me.

I chose the place for the experience and I was not disappointed. Really lovely place! Staff were helpful and pleasant. This place makes for one of the reasons I have fond memories about Venice!

Palazzo Odoni Santa Croce 151 - Fondamenta Minotto Venice 30135 S$1066 for 3 nights for 2A2C

Our Rome Accommodation: Experience Roma Terrace

Usually I pick hotels or apartments near a Metro Station for convenience. Experience Roma Terrace is a service apartment about 7 minutes walk from Spagna Metro Station.

The mesh door on the left is the gate to the manual lift.

It opened to a very tiny lift enough for two average adults.

When we first got there, two luggage had to be stacked on top of the other two for William to squeeze into the lift while the rest of us used the stairs to reach the apartment.

We entered through this door to our lovely apartment.

The only bedroom in the apartment

See the little nook in the corner? Baby decided to cosy herself up there and sleep for the nights we were in Rome.

The living area

Coco slept on the sofa.

Dining area

Beautiful place

The little kitchenette was hidden in a closet

We boiled water in a pot to prepare milk for Baby every night.

My only grouse about the place: While the bathroom was large, the shower area was very tiny. 

I am petite by Asian standard, but it was still a tiny area. 

The worse thing was it got flooded after a few minutes of bath as the drainage was not working well.

The towels were supposed to be changed every three days (!!!). I requested to have them changed every two days after Michela, the nice lady in charge of the place, showed me the fine number of towels we had.

Michela also recommended a few dining places before we left, keeping in mind that we might not want to splurge on expensive restaurants given that we came to Italy as a family.

All in all, we were happy with the place and would recommend it for its location.