Singinalot's 2023 Land Trip to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Rome, Amalfi Coast, & Florence

[Guest]

August 12 is here and now our last full day of our trip. Let’s make the most of it! We awoke with hunger and went off to explore and find food.

 

Near the hotel is a small arancino and panino shop. Note, we learned on the trip that we, in America, are wrong if we say we want a panini or arancini ball. The i makes it plural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 2023 by singinalot

[Guest]

This is the small shop we stopped in. https://www.appetitopizza.it

 

I see on google that it is only rated 3.5 stars, but again, I feel like even a 3 star in Italy usually beats a 5 star here. 🤣

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6jJEB3MTCg49LKR67?g_st=ic

[Guest]

After our tummies were full, we headed out to Via Del Corso, the main street in historical Rome. Walking on this street can take you to most places of interest.

 

we walked through Piazza Venezia and past the Altar of the Fatherland. We’ll return here later!

 

 

[Guest]

We continued past the Roman Forum and onward to the Colosseum

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

there she is! The Colosseum never gets old! get it? 😁

we’ve been here so many times

[Guest]

We walked around the entirety of the Colosseum. It was hot, people were everywhere, and sadly, several migrants trying to push us into learning about tours and Hop on Hop off bus. We made our escape as quickly as possible.

 

It always amazes me the perfect symmetry and structure of this place.

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

After the Colosseum, we walked to our favorite building (see previous trip blogs), the Altar of the Fatherland. They now have a kiosk where you can electronically purchase your ticket! Still have the manned ticket booth as well.

 

Theres my worst nightmare…a glass elevator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went up to the top and enjoyed our view. Things have changed since 2019! They used to have agents manning the elevator on the ground and up top, but now there is no one! No staff on the roof at all.

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

These are what the elevator tickets look like. Price has definitely increased since we first went up in 2018.

 

[Guest]

I had one destination in mind for lunch and one destination only. Somehow I forgot how expensive our bill was the last time we ate in Piazza Navona and that I said I wouldn’t eat there again. LOL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Let’s make up for it and go to the Castle!

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

In 2019, we had visited Castel San Angelo and had prepurchased our tickets online. This time we were completely impromptu and waited in line for entry, but it ended up being fun as the group of people around us were all getting on various cruises so we enjoyed chatting about the different port stops, etc. 

 

 

 

[Guest]

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

a view of the Vatican through one of the many window like openings

 

 I forget what this room was for but it was beautiful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

We’ve made it to the very top! The view up here is one of my favorites, and worth the climb

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

another beautiful room on our way out

 

 

 

 

 

the way out

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Since we were there, we decided to walk over to the Vatican for a closer look. In our many trips to Rome, we’ve never gotten closer than passing by on the street.

 

 

 

 

 

a final glimpse of the castel as we headed back toward the Pantheon

 

 

[Guest]

time for some drinks and apps

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

We sat there for many drinks and people watched, enjoying the afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A quick change of clothes brought us back outside for dinner

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

We had our final gelato from Giolitti. As mentioned before, the oldest gelateria in Rome.

 

 

 

[Guest]

August 13 dawned bright and early! Our driver picked us up promptly, transfer was easy and quick, and we were soon in the Plaza lounge at FCO

 

 

lounge food not so good

 

we flew United economy plus back home and I greatly missed business class or even premium economy.

 

our layover in EWR did not have much to offer, but we found a quick bit before our final leg.

 

 

Thank you everyone so much for your patience and reading along! 

 

[maggieq]

@singinalot  thanks so much for taking us along. 
 

when you stayed in Athens last year, was it the Hilton?  Thanks!

[Guest]

21 minutes ago, maggieq said:

@singinalot  thanks so much for taking us along. 
 

when you stayed in Athens last year, was it the Hilton?  Thanks!

 

It was!

 

amazing rooftop and views from our room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Momof3gurlz]

Thank you for sharing your journey!  I’d love to know the name of the spot you had drinks and dinner your last afternoon and evening, looks like in front of the Pantheon?

Also, where are you taking us all next 😉?!

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Momof3gurlz said:

Thank you for sharing your journey!  I’d love to know the name of the spot you had drinks and dinner your last afternoon and evening, looks like in front of the Pantheon?

Also, where are you taking us all next 😉?!

 

absolutely! the drinks and snacks in the afternoon were at Tempio Bar in piazza del rotunda  https://maps.app.goo.gl/57dUKRp2CJLU54wp9?g_st=ic

 

and dinner was at Gruppo Di Rienzo in the same piazza 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NuFzNSwGBnmbWoqHA?g_st=ic

 

we ate there in 2018 and had our same waiter 🥰 we showed him pictures and had a great laugh. He’s been there 17 years and loves it.

[maggieq]

10 hours ago, singinalot said:

 

It was!

 

amazing rooftop and views from our room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks!  Looking at the Hilton for a two night post cruise stay. Any other tips while there would be appreciated.