What we are learning in Rome

One of the best dinners we had. There is something about the details....the beautiful wine glasses, the caraffe of house wine, the gorgeous and tasty bruschetta with prosciutto and mozeralla and the freshly grated parmesan....which we ate almost all of.

So this dinner was a Rick Steves rec. We first tried another of his recs and were not at all impressed with the atomosphere or menu so we ventured to this one called "MIscellanea". It is at the back of the Pantheon on a cute little street. The server was so nice and we would go back again!

Our fantastic bruschetta, fresh parm and bread with olive oil and balsamic on the side. A lot of places won't bring you the parm or olive oil etc.. .or even bread. It was nice that this was an automatic here.

A little Supermarcato fun! Yes, this was my idea but was glad he played along.

First, Rome in summer is a wonderful place to watch people! Last time we were here it was November and everyone really was wearing black. Now it is a colorful place!! People are wearing beautiful clothes and the WRONG shoes:) But they do it! I like watching the ladies in heels have their ankles wrenched as they walk. They don't seem to mind!

Next, Rick Steves' books are lifesavers. Here's the deal, even if you go to one of his recommended restaurants and you are standing there thinking, "Why did he recommend this?"  you are still most likely in a fun area having had a great walk through the winding streets of Rome. So pick another place that suits you better! That is exactly what we discussed with the couple that we met at dinner the other night.

Update: Our Cinque Terre Trek guide thinks Rick Steves is awful! He says that he has spoiled so many quiet areas such as the Cinque Terre. He is getting the entire world to travel to the same places and these places aren't prepared for so many people.

Supermarcato are great places to pick up food for a picnic or any of the little sandwich shops around...oh and they also sell wine that they will uncork for you:)

ALWAYS, I repeat, ALWAYS reserve tickets ahead of time for museums and attractions. If you don't reserve ahead of time, at least be prepared to buy a Roma Pass or Firenze Card. We are opting for the card it Florence since Cam wants to see so many things. We will hopefully avoid long lines like we did here.

Space bags for packing are the best! Shove it all in, roll it up and bam! You're stuff is compacted and ready to roll.  *Update: bring an extra space bag or two if changing locations. They do tend to get worn.

Set aside time in the afternoon to just chill. We have this routine where we get up (late b/c I'm traveling with a teenager) and walk and tour all day. Head back to the hotel about 5:00 or 6:00, shower, nap and go to dinner about 8:00 or 9:00.

Washing clothes in the sink is a great idea.  *Update...but washing underwear in the sink is not something I care to do again.

Check on your phone service if you want to use your data plan. We are really enjoying plugging in a destination and following the phone to it. For one, we don't look quite as much of a tourist but two , it's just easier. For $30 we got enough data to do this for the entire trip.  We have also used our data to research a few things while in the middle of the street. One day my phone was dead so we had to use the old fashioned map which was also completely fine! So, date is just a nice luxury.

Be open to those fun new experiences, the guy I met in the caffe, the couple we met at dinner, the worker who uncorked my bottle of wine and taught me how to say Grazie! These are those things that we don't plan.

And more to come I'm sure! Especially after we get to Termini Station, which by my research should be a pickpocket haven.....so I'm wearing my money belt that I have not yet felt the need to wear. I'll update you on that trip later. For now we are off to Florence!

*Update on Termini Station: I did see what people were talking about with the people coming up and asking to help, but beyond that the station seemed fine. I taught Cam the importance of knowing where the platforms are since you don't know until just before boarding what platform you will be assigned to. And then he taught me that I could look at our train # and figure out which stop we were. I realized that on an Italian train we really were helpless because there is no English. We noticed that some of the train stations weren't labeled. Cam said out of the blue that we were the second stop which was certainly good to know!