Italy 2023

#13, Rome

Arising by 6 a.m., Mark and I, mostly packed, had breakfast at Hotel Maiuri. I was moderately concerned about the time schedule as we would need to get to the Naples train station in time for a 9:20 a.m. departure to Rome. Those doubts would soon be quelled.

Our driver was waiting for us in the lobby when we came down to check out. That was great, already feeling more at ease, I dropped my room card at the front desk and headed out the door. But wait, someone is calling me back into the hotel where I found we still owed paying a city tax. Well OK, but the desk clerk was heavily involved with another person that extended for several minutes. Now I’m getting all anxious once again as I knew Mark and the driver were waiting for me outside and I feared this delay would not get us to Naples on time. Worrying was pointless though, as the clerk finished his other business and addressed me with needing to pay the tax. No problem, credit card out, swipe, receipt and I was out the door.

Leaving Pompei around 8:30 a.m., we took the expressway and arrived in Naples at 8:09 a.m. – plenty of time before the train left for Rome at 9:20 a.m.. Naples is only 30 miles away from Pompei and even with early morning traffic we had no interruptions that delayed getting there in time and finding our track and train car. The waiting time even allowed Mark to buy a model car of a Twizy by Renault. These mini cars were frequently seen on the streets in Italy.

The train trip from Naples to Rome was just over one hour. The Rome station was extremely lively as we made our way out to the street where we patiently waited in a long line for a taxi. There in Rome, the taxis come to one area where the line of people are waiting. Everyone waited their turn for the next arriving taxi, quickly got their luggage and themselves in the car, drove off and the next taxi arriving, or in line, repeated the procedure. In no time at all we arrived at our Rome hotel – The One. 

We would need to wait until 2 p.m. for our room, but were told our room was upgraded. That’s very nice, but what did that mean – upgraded? We would soon find out. Storing our luggage, we set out to investigate the area around The One.

Poking around in many shops, we continued on to Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain. Being a sunny morning it was beautiful to see although the crowds around it were enormous. Getting in closer took some effort squirming through the crowd then jockeying for positions to take photos.

We did all that, but the huge crowds did distract from totally appreciating the fountain. 

The fountain, the largest Baroque fountain of its kind, many believe to be the most beautiful in Rome. The name Trevi derives from the fountain’s location at the intersection of three roads with a theme of “Taming of the Waters”. Interestingly, since returning home, I found there is a tradition, or myth, of throwing coins into Trevi Fountain. The myth, originating in 1954 with the movie “Three Coins in the Fountain,” goes like this:

Throwing the coins over your left shoulder with your right hand is the tradition to achieve best results.

An estimated 3000 euros are thrown in the fountain daily amounting to more that 1.5 million euros yearly which are used to fund special causes helping Rome’s needy.

I always thought that throwing coins into fountains was frowned upon, at least in the US. I wonder what might have happened if I HAD known to throw in a coin, or two or three?

Just too many people at the fountain, we continued to an outdoor cafe for lunch and afterward while window shopping, Mark took a fancy to a shoe store next to the fountain. There Mark, and I, admired the shoes. Mark was taken with a unique pair of dark green “Hey Dude” loafers and bought them. Mark does, after all, take quite a shine for shoes, having numerous pairs in his collection. He is the Imelda Marcos of Phoenix. When you see Mark tell him, “Hey Dude, like your shoes”!

Back to The One hotel we were directed to our room on the first floor. But the first floor was really the next floor up, where an old fashioned elevator would take us up to the upper floors.

Remember that I said our room was an upgrade? OH BOY was it ever! A key card allowed secure entry into the hallway area toward our room. Using the same key card tapped on a panel outside the door permitted us entry. And what an awesome room.

Click on photos below for full size view as a slideshow;

It was a corner room and the first impact was its light lavender color, unlike any color I’ve ever seen in a hotel room. With two half moon shaped windows it was bright and cheery. Our bell boy showed us some of the room’s features, which included how to use touchpads to select lighting involving ceiling lights, bedside lamps and lights under the raised twin beds. His instructions included how to change the room’s mood by way of recessed cove lighting that changed colors rotating between red, blue, green, yellow etc. Setting the sequence on a control pad, the speed of color change could be set from slow and gradual to a flashing or rapid pulsating pace. Those occupying the room could choose to have the colors create a calm and restful feeling or one that created a lively partying atmosphere. Additionally, another touch button opened the room darkening curtains, another to open the sheer set of curtains and yet another button to vent open the windows. 

And then, the bathroom; large, very fashionably contemporary, appointed with white marble walls and floor, a full size shower, bidet, perfectly bright overhead lighting, touch mirror lights. Plush towels, upscale mini toiletries and hair dryer completed the accessories.

A large screen TV (with English speaking channels), a coffee/expresso station complete with a drawer that included coffees, teas, sugar, creamer and both regular coffee cups and expresso cups rounded out the room’s qualities.

The WOW factor was over the top! 

While not (yet) an extensive world traveler, I’ve stayed in a number of nice hotel rooms. But this was THE BEST ROOM EVER! (in my humble opinion).

We had fun playing with the gadgets and while the room was exceptional, and quiet, we had a city to explore. Using the map provided by the hotel and with suggestions from the staff of nearby places of interest, we set out to explore what we could.

The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, The 3 Fountains and church. We found the street signage to be woefully lacking as we tried to find our way. Here, again, Mark was the navigator and I relied on his skill to pave the way. 

Eventually, having walked a considerable distance we arrived at the Tiber River where the Castel Sant’Angelo stands near the river’s banks. The cylindrical building was constructed as the mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian and his family and later used by the popes as a residence, fortress, prison and castle. A covered, fortified corridor connects to St. Peter’s Basilica as a means to help protect the pope in case he were in danger and a means of escape.

Along the Tiber River, under large budding sycamore tress, many vendor’s stalls lined the walk. Close-by the Vatican dome rose above the tree line. We did not realize we had walked so near the papal compound; the next day we would be there on a guided tour.

The long walk had been tiring. Returning across the Ponte Sant’Angelo (Bridge of Angels): lined with statues of saints and angels, we chose to get a taxi for the return to the hotel. And that was a wise decision, as it soon began raining shortly after getting back to our room.

After a late dinner, Mark a pizza and me Spaghetti Gamberi – with unshelled scampi. It was messy and really tasteless: the worst dinner I had in Italy. But the Aperol Spritz that accompanied my meal helped.

The next day would take us to The Vatican.

Click on photo for full size and slideshow.