Travelling to Rome Equals a Bumpy Ride

After a good breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and made our way to the tube.

In the end we enjoyed the hotel.  It was basic, but met all our needs. The staff were wonderful and very attentive.  Not sure if I would go back.  Just a bit too basic and the sound of the hall way door slamming every time someone came in from the elevator did get to us after a while.

We stopped at the Pound Store (Dollar store UK style) and bought some pipe cleaners.  Well actually I was looking for anything that I could put on Bernie's new suitcase to help identify it but was having no luck with the normal type of bag tag so I bought a package of pipe cleaners.  We put a one on each of his zippers and twisted them and hey it worked.

The tube was busy.  Normal I guess for a weekday but we managed to get on and stay at the side.  Also we had no issues at all with getting to where we needed to go.  We have mastered the London Underground.

Once at London Bridge we transferred to the train and a half hour later we were at Gatwick.

I am always impress at how Europe handles security clearance.  Airports in North America could learn a thing or two from airports here.   

You scan your boarding pass at a turnstile and that lets you into security.  At security there are numerous stations at the security belt. You place all your items in the bin to be scanned and then once thru the scanner you take your bin to a table where you can reorganize yourself.  Very civilized.

Also here at Gatwick at least -- once you clear security it is a bill hall with shops, restaurants, bars, sitting area, washrooms etc.  You wait here until your flight has been assigned a gate.  Then you proceed to that gate.  There are no seats at the gates, just the gate.  Once at the gate you board the plane.  No large mass of people at the gates, no long queues to get on the plane.  Again very civilized.

Our flight to Rome was with Easyjet.  A real discount airline.  We paid 150 Canadian for our flight including our bags for both of us.  But it is a snug flight.  Not a lot of leg room.  I felt like a sardine.  Thankfully it is a short flight.

We knew Italy was experiencing a big storm and the Captain did warn us it would be a bumpy ride, and it was.

We later found out that strong winds, heavy rain has caused five deaths and lots of damage.  For us we barely were affected.

We had arranged for a shuttle with Civitavecchia cab service prior and our driver was there as soon as we exited.

Quite a bit of heavy traffic due to two accidents.  Driver says that the rains and winds have caused havoc, but it sure looks nice now.  Warm too.

We arrive at our Airbnb and are greet by Gabriella who does not speak English but we manage to communicate with signals. 

The place will work for us.  It is in Trastevere area and close to everything.  It is a basic one bedroom apartment that will work.  Just so happy to not be stuck in a small hotel room anymore.  Here is a link to our Airbnb.  Remember if you are thinking about using Airbnb, click on this link and you will save money off your first booking. 

We head out for some supper - lots to choose from in the area.

Just a block away we spot a cute spot where we are sat at a nice table and we breath in and realize yeah we are back in Italy.

We order a salad and a main entree with some sides and share it all.  It was just enough.  Of course we also got a litre of house red wine.  Definitely choose the house wine to save money.  

Oh and while I am talking about restaurants.  Take note, most areas of Italy have some added fee that will be added onto your bill.  Sometimes it says service charge, sometimes it will be a fee for bread (even if you did not order the bread).  It is usually a nominal fee.  No use arguing with them about it, just pay.  But take note that you do not normally tip here.  So we just accept that the fee is the what we would of paid as a tip.  Note this fee is probably not charged to locals.  Oh well cost of travel I say.

Of course we had to stop for some gelato on the way back home.  Also bought cereal and milk but that was not picture worthy.

Back at the apartment we crash.  Woke to a few thundershowers and some street noise and not sure where the heck I was.