Day 8 Rome to FlorenceMay 25, 2012
|
|
| Up early and we caught the Metro into the city. We didn't manage to get into the city last night...great plans however we finished up having an early night. It was wonderful to be in the city and to see it waking up....very few cars and very few people. We alighted at Barberini and made our way to Trevi Fountain. It was gorgeous being there as the sun was coming up...local traders were setting up their stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables. At the fountain, we did the mandatory 'throw a coin in the fountain' as it means you will return to Rome. We then set off for the Pantheon....as we were so early, it wasn't open however it was still great to see this amazing building, the most intact historical building in Rome. Back to the train station, back to our apartment and time to pack up and clean up before saying goodbye to Rome...hello Florence. We loaded up and head for our last trip on the Metro (this time around anyway). We had time for a coffee at the Termini before boarding the train for Florence. One comment before we leave Rome...the locals have not been very friendly...I don't remember this from last time we were here. A bit puzzling as tourists must help the local economy. We met a lovely American family on the train....a couple and their two children. He's an ER doctor and she's a small business owner. We enjoyed chatting to them on the 1.5 hour trip to Florence. It is a lovely train trip between the two cities...beautiful scenery, historic buildings and lots of Flanders poppies. We caught a taxi to our accommodation as it was the other wide of the river from the train station. Too far to lump our bags. We arrived early so decided to have some lunch while we waited for the person to let us in. We chose a cafe close to the building and kept an eye out for our contact. He arrived when we had almost finished lunch. I spoke to him and he wasn't prepared to wait until we'd finished eating so I said I'd leave Deb eating and I'd come with him to have the tour and receive the keys. He then realized there was only two of us and thought we were at the wrong apartment as it's set up for four people. He wouldn't let me in until he'd checked we were at the right accommodation. I went back to the cafe and finished my lunch while he was checking. He finally clarified the details and I was allowed in. The apartment is a great size...it has 2 bedrooms, 4 beds, 2 bathrooms and looks over the Pitti Palace. I went back to Deb and we finished our wine before heading upstairs and settling in. Did I mention we have 4 flights of stairs to negotiate...our contact carried Deb's....I had to carry my own. Man, my heart was pumping by the ti e I got to the top. We have wi-fi and both got busy checking emails etc before having a bit of a snooze. The old body is feeling a bit fragile. It must be all the walking, strange beds, lumping heavy bags...and my squats and lunges I am doing most days. We got ourselves together and headed out for a walk about 3:30. We walked into the town and saw the Duomo, both the outside and inside. We then went on to wander around the town centre, bought a gelato and then after walking our feet off for a couple of hours, stopped for a beer on the way home. Interesting how disinterested the cafe people seem to be in serving us and being in the least friendly...it all seems too hard. We headed home and on the way, stopped at the supermarket in our street to buy some goodies...small problem, they didn't have a lot of goodies. We bought some strawberries and yoghurt for breakfast and decided to leave the rest until we find a bigger supermarket. Dropped into of the local cafes for dinner (I had tuna salad - we've been eating quite healthily - until they bring out the bread and olive oil) and then headed home for an early night. I think I was in bed by about 8.30pm. |
Advertisement 
|
