Jane and Kristi Travel Europe 2012: We're in Rome!

Buon Giorno!

We arrived to Rome this morning exhausted but excited! The Rome airport was pretty easy to navigate; we took the Leonardo express train to Roma Termini (main train terminal) in the city and found our hotel quickly. It was warm already by the time we arrived (thank goodness for hotel air conditioning!). The Hotel Rimini is great - perfect shower, a fridge and a huge balcony- all within a block of the Termini exit (but completely silent), awesome full breakfast, etc.

We made the afternoon lunch outing pretty short, stopped for some pizza and wine, then took care of necessities (SIM card for the Iphone, figuring out the hotel internet, getting cash, etc.) The afternoon we were zonked out but sprang back for "passeggiata" which is when everyone strolls in the evening. We went to Trevi Fountain and other areas. Most of the photos below are from this late afternoon/evening stroll. Everything is within walking distance here and it is an incredibly beautiful, multi-layered city. Our stroll, which was about 30 minute of wandering, led us to the presidential plaza were a crowd of people were taking photos and cheering occasionally for (we found out later) members of the Italian national soccer team. The police lifted the road/pedestrian block and we continued to Trevi Fountain. Gorgeous area of Rome and a hoard of people there strolling and sitting at the fountain. Of course we stopped for gelato (the Nutella gelato, a must!).

I can't believe this was only Day 1! Italy is amazing and beautiful! Tomorrow, we check out the Colosseum and nearby areas of Rome...