Rome - Day 1

I arrived in Rome about an hour before Tina, so we met at gate E 11 in the Fiumicino airport.

Tina made a friend on the plane that was also from Los Angels named Ava and her sweet dog Charlie.

 

Ava offered us a ride from the airport with her private car as we were only a few blocks away from where she was staying. Such a kind gesture that avoided us taking the train to the main train termini in Rome and then having to get a taxi to our AirBNB.

                                                              https://www.repetitajuvant.it/ 

Outside door

Our entrance

It was warm outside so we decided to explore the area and Trastevere.

Trastevere is one of the most pleasant neighborhoods in the city. It’s peaceful and bohemian atmosphere is capable of dazzling tourists without failing to attract assiduous Roman citizens.

I love all the different variations of the entrances in Rome.

Piazza Navona was near by, so we went there first. 

Piazza Navona is a public open space. It is built on the site of the 1st century AD Stadium of Domitian and follows the form of the open space of the stadium in an elongated oval. The ancient Romans went there to watch the games, and hence it was known as “ Circus Agonalis “, the competition arena.

Time for some gelato 

Next stop was Castel Sant’Angelo. 

Castel Sant’Angelo is an imposing castle located on the banks of the River Tiber, one of the most unique and beautiful sights in Rome. 

The building is the ancient tomb of Emperor Hadrian, but over time it became a Papal Fortress, until it became the museum that we see now.

Sights around Rome

Free water that flows 24/7

You place your finger over where the water comes out and there is a hole above it that redirects a water stream like a modern day water fountain to quench anyone’s  thirsty.

Dinner at Enzo

No reservations

Open for cocktails until 6 pm.

Then a line forms for when the restaurant opens at 6:30 pm.

The staff eats family style inside from 6 pm to 6:30 pm.

We arrived at 5:30 when no one was in line and that quickly changed.

Dinner was incredible.

Burrata and farm tomatoes

Fried artichoke hearts

Pasta e Pepe

Rigatoni Carbonara 

 

One last evening stroll through Piazza Navona for a sweet dessert and that ends our first day in Italy.