The Shep's are on the road again. This time we're doing the kamakazi tour of Northern Italy. This is påsklov in Sweden - the kids' Easter break, so we're taking advantage of the time to get a taste of Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, and Verona.We arrived late this afternoon in Rome. The weather forecast had advertised sunny and 27C. False advertising. Drizzly and cool, but it's Rome and that's what umbrellas are for. We are staying at the Hotel Tirreno. I did better than usual this time - our quad room is larger than the one in Paris was, and the hotel is more well-appointed than usual for this price bracket. We're well-situated too - a short walk to the train station, a short walk to the Colliseum, a decent walk to anything else we could care to see.
Today's (tonight's?) tour itinerary was the Spanish Steps. I had stayed near them when I was here in '88, but it took me until about 4 years ago to figure out what that big staircase was. On the walk over, we passed by some very nice looking shops - such dresses - such purses - such shoes! We found the corner of the quattro fontana (Me: what do you think that means Elizabeth? E: 4 cheese? some days she's really blond) 4 fountains. The steps themselves were a tourist zoo, but I didn't care. We found them, and then we found a lovely little restaurant, Restaurant Alla Rampa, for dinner. We sat outside believe it or not, under the heaters, and toasted ourselves with inadequate red wine. Decent food - not haute cuisine - I picked it for the location. Should have worn pants with stretchy waistbands to allow for all that pasta and cream-filled dessert. Peter had the best tiramisu we've ever tasted. House Special? Absolutely!
On the way back to the hotel, we took the wind-y route that led past an Oratorio with a magnificent ceiling, and Trevi Fountain, also a tourist zoo, but beautiful nonetheless as you can see. Even in the drizzle.
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