a Roma

A hop, a skip and we're off for Rome--the first stop in the Italian adventure. The night-time flight was perfect for sleeping! We arrived in Rome, moved easily through customs/immigration, bought train tickets and headed for our hotel--Hotel Milazzo, near the train terminal. This is a busy area of Rome since buses, trains, and the Metro all use this terminal. Most hotels seem to have hospitality areas at least one floor up from street level. Businesses have the luxury of street level. Several popular restaurants lined the street opposite the Milazzo and each evening produced lively diners, live music (think Funiculi Funicula), and aromas of tomatoes and garlic. Our breakfast, included in the hotel offerings, was served in the corner bar (restaurant)--Bar Fondi--a tiny coffee/drink bar on the corner. A croissant, an espresso and we could start the day just like the Romans.