When in Rome – Honeymoon Report, Part III

Thursday

After three nights in Siena, we took a cab from the Palazzo Ravizza to Piazza Gramsci, located within the city walls and caught a bus to Tiburtina Station in Rome. We had purchased our tickets the day before so we easily stored our luggage and found our assigned seats.  After several stops outside the walls of Siena, the bus hopped on the A-1 and off to Rome we go!

Three hours later, we pulled into Tiburtina Station. To cut costs, we shared a cab with a couple we had met on the bus.  Our driver was fantastic, delivering an enthusiastic tour of Rome en route to the other couple’s hotel, located in the neighborhood behind the Vatican and finally our hotel, located near the Piazza Navona.

Piazza Navona

As the driver navigated the pedestrian and café-filled streets, we took in our new surroundings and the hustle and bustle of Rome.  Our driver dropped us off at the Hotel Portoghesi, located on Via dei Portoghesi, an absolutely fantastic downtown location almost smack in the center of all the Roman sights.  No need for public transportation if staying at the Hotel Portoghesi.

Via dei Portoghesi

Unfortunately, here we met our first honeymoon snag.  Between the surly young clerk at the front desk (who couldn’t be bothered to greet us when we walked into the lobby) and the room itself, which in addition to being dark and depressing had a non-functioning toilet, we were not happy.  I will not write in detail about our experience here and our hassle to get into a room with a functioning toilet.  Due to the attitude of the man at the front desk, I cannot recommend this hotel to anyone traveling in Rome, despite its stellar location and roof deck patio where breakfast is served.

Orange velour walls in our hotel room

We quickly freshened up and headed out to find some lunch.  There were many quaint shops, cafes and restaurants on Via Dell Orso, just outside of our hotel.  We sat down at Papa’s Café and were warmly welcomed by the owner, Antonio.  We sipped wine and split an amazing antipasto salad and pizza, sitting on the outdoor terrace and watching people strolling by.

With a couple hours of light left in the day, we walked to the Pantheon, literally a hop-skip-and-a-jump from the Hotel Portoghesi.  We spent some time admiring the Pantheon’s columns from the Piazza della Rotonda, which featured a fountain and obelisk in its center.

Pantheon's columns

Piazza della Rotonda

Once inside, we were amazed by the Pantheon’s dome, tombs, sculptures, marble interior and paintings. We grabbed seats on a wooden bench and took it all in. 

Inside the Pantheon

Leaving the Pantheon, we walked to very vibrant and colorful oval-shaped Piazza Navona with its fountains (including Bernini's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or Fountain of the Four Rivers), balconies, vendors, artists, restaurants, surrounded by amazing architecture.   

Piazza Navona

Fontana del Moro, built by Giacomo della Porta

We stopped for a drink, prosecco for me and a beer for Jason, at Ristorante Panzirone’s outdoor patio.  Although drinks were pricey, this was a great spot to people watch, relax and take in the scene. However, this restaurant looked like a tourist trap and I would probably not choose to eat dinner there.  

After a nap, we dressed and strolled past the upscale shopping district to the Spanish Steps and then to the Trevi Fountain.  The streets smelled of roasted chestnuts near the Spanish Steps and we were surprised by the large number of people milling around on the steps, the widest staircase in Europe.

Spanish Steps

At the Trevi Fountain, we spent 20 minutes admiring the fountain's intricate sculptures from all angles, taking in the small details and marveling at this amazing creation.  To ensure a return trip to Rome (according to a legend), we tossed a few coins into the fountain.  I wish I had photographed the fountain in the daylight but we never made it back. 

Trevi Fountain

Continuing our stroll, we stumbled upon the Taverna Antonina, the highlight of our dining experiences in Rome.  We ordered a caprese salad, black truffle and ricotta tortellini with pumpkin cream and finally veal saltimbocca. So, so good.  On the way home, we grabbed gelato and headed back to the hotel for bed. 

Friday:

We woke up early, eager to make the most out of our two full days in Rome.  We ate breakfast in the Hotel Portoghesi’s breakfast room located on the roof deck.  After staying at the Miramare in Positano and Palazzo Ravizza in Siena, the Portoghesi’s breakfast offerings paled in comparison, offering mostly processed food.  We drank cappuccino, ate yogurt and nutella croissants, and swatted away the bees that terrorized the patio.

Since we had an 11am reservation to enter the Vatican Museum, we had ample time to enjoy the sights en route, no need for a cab.  We passed over magnificent bridges and statues and walked along the river on a tree-lined street lined with vendors selling scarves, candy, leather bags and old books.  

Tiber River, en route to Vatican City

Approaching Vatican City

Approaching Vatican City was breathtaking, truly a moment I will never forget.  The sheer beauty and ancientness of the area was almost overwhelming.  St. Peter’s Square is just massive – we were in awe. 

Because we bought tickets online in advance, we bypassed the line to enter the Vatican Museum. If I could do this day again, I would hire a guide.  There is really just so much to see and so much to learn; Rick Steve’s audio guide tour did not cut it.  Total time spent at the Vatican was approximately five hours, touring the Museum (this took hours; I was shocked by its size), the Sistene Chapel (gazing at Michelangelo's ceiling was my favorite!) and finally St. Peter Basilica, where we saw the Pietà by Michelangelo – just amazing!

From a window in the Vatican Museum, Sphere Within A Sphere

Rome

Michelangelo's Pieta

By the time we left St. Peter’s Basilica, it was 4pm and we were starving.  Bad planning on our part - all of the restaurants were closed!  We sat down at the first open café we found and ate microwaved pasta entrees.  We were so disappointed, a wasted eating opportunity in Rome, so sad.  On the way back to the hotel, hungry and knowing my eating opportunities in Italy were coming to an end, I bought a panini with fresh mozzarella, proscuitto and tomato from a beautiful deli near our hotel named Antico Forno.  

Walking back to our hotel, we noticed a beautiful church next to our hotel, the Church of Sant’Antonio dei Portoghesi.

After a nap, we walked to Trastevere, stopping for a drink in the very lively Campo de’ Fiori. After the drink, we walked and eventually crossed the Tiber River, listening to musicians playing the vuvuzela, an African horn and drums on the bridge.  So much energy and so many people, enjoying live music and drinks outdoors on an early October evening.  We were surprised by the number of good birrerie (beer bars) there – Jason loves beer. Next time we visit Rome, we will stay in Trastevere.

Indecisiveness stuck and we walked in circles trying to find a restaurant that could seat us.  All of the menus looked excellent - how do you choose?  As a result, we ate a very mediocre meal at Hostaria del Moro da Tony on Vicolo del Cinque.  Good prices, average food.

We stopped for a beer at a bar, enjoying the feel of Trastevere and locals out on the town on a Friday evening in Rome.  On the way home, we visited Beerland, lined with local brews and microbrews from all over the world.  We chose a beer each, the cashier poured them into a cup for us, and off we went!   On the walk home, I traded my pale ale for a gelato near Piazza Navona. Gelato trumps beer!

Beerland

Saturday:

After breakfast at the hotel, we walked though Campo de’ Fiori, which was in the midst of its huge Saturday open-air market featuring flowers, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, home gadgets, clothes, etc. 

After walking through the piazza, we walked through Rome's historic Jewish Ghetto and then Capitol Hill, where we saw a wedding taking place.

The mere sight of the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine in the distance blew us away.  As we approached the bustling area, we saw the long, long line and quickly decided to hire a tour guide to bypass the line, joining a group of about 20 folks.  The tour guide was interesting and informative and did his best to paint a picture of what took place in the Colosseum in the gladiator days.

We were hungry and decided not to continue with the tour group to the Roman Forum.  Instead, we hiked up the hill and sat down for a tasty lunch at Hostaria da Nerone, sharing an antipasto plate and some vino.
  

After lunch, we toured the beautiful San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains Church), checking out Michelangelo's statue of Moses before walking back down the hill to toward the Roman Forum.  

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is so massive and so amazing that we could have spent a whole afternoon there but unfortunately, our feet and legs were aching.  We did our best to see most of the ruins but it seems we could have spent an entire day here instead of a couple hours.

Back near the Piazza Navona, we bought souvenirs and some prosecco and beer at Vinaio on Via dei Portoghesi.  We took our drinks to the roof deck to watch the sun set over Rome on the last night of our honeymoon.

View from hotel roof deck

After sunset, we wandered the narrow streets in our neighborhood and sat outside at Old Bear for a glass of wine.  We ended up eating here too, sharing the rustic appetizer, a collection of grilled vegetables, cheeses and meats , baked pumpkin lasagna and spaghetti all’ amatriana. After one last gelato, we wandered back to the Portoghesi, printed out our boarding passes on the hotel’s shared computer and went to bed. 

Sunday:

Back to Boston! Rome amazed us. Every which way we turned, there was something ancient to see. We were amazed by the number of squares, fountains, statues, bridges and parks. There is so much to see in Rome!

Directions on a building near our hotel

Now that we have seen some of the major sights, we look forward to visiting again someday for a more relaxed vacation. It was a lot of sightseeing for 2.5 days but we were thankful that our hotel was within walking distance of most of the major sights.

To learn more about Rome, click here.

To read my Honeymoon Report Part I: Positano, click here.

To read my Honeymoon Report, Part II: Tuscany, click here.

Winter Weekend on Cape Cod

On a rainy Saturday two weeks ago, with a craving for chowder and a change of scenery, we packed an overnight bag and headed for Cape Cod.  Thanks to my parents’ timeshare investment at the Edgewater Beach Resort in Dennis Port, we took advantage of the discounted, off-season rate and reserved an ocean-front room with a Jacuzzi for the night.

It is such a joy to drive to the Cape during the off season (no traffic!) and as we crossed the Sagamore Bridge, I felt the all-too-familiar feelings of happiness and glee.   Never mind that it was too foggy to see the Cape Cod Canal dotted with boats from the bridge…we were just happy to be on the Cape!

Before we left Boston, I googled Jamaican food on Cape Cod and learned about Chef Shrimpy and his Jerk Café located on Route 28 in South Yarmouth.  Being jerk food junkies, we decided that clam chowder could wait until Sunday.

The small but cheerful, reggae music-filled eatery smelled of homemade jerk sauce and slow-cooked meats. We chatted with Jamaica-born Chef Shrimpy and chowed on a jerk chicken plate with rice, veggies, a banana frittata as well as a jerk pork sandwich. Chef Shrimpy also served delicious-looking fruit smoothies, even though we didn’t try one.  We bought a jar of his homemade jerk sauce to go and have used it twice since – highly recommend!

Since it was still drizzling and raw, we bought some bait at the tackle store and headed to the Edgewater Beach Resort.  Our room was located in the south wing, room 136, overlooking the small sand dunes and Nantucket Sound.

Given the stormy day, the ocean had some small surf, which I love in the summer. Our cozy suite featured a living room with a gas fireplace, a bedroom, a large bathroom and an enclosed glassed porch with a high cocktail table with four stools.  And a fabulous oversize Jacuzzi in the corner.

After a nice soak, the rain stopped and we walked down the beach to the rocky jetty.  Jason fished while I walked the beach, looking at the cockle and scallop shells and broken bits of horseshoe crabs.  

After an amazing sunset, we walked back to our room to shower up for dinner.  We were meeting my parents and heading to Buca’s Tuscan Roadhouse in Harwich.

Bucca’s Tuscan Roadhouse is amazing!  Good portions, fresh and very delicious. Call ahead for a reservation – even in the winter!  In addition to Buca’s amazing basket of crusty, warm bread and a bottle of Chianti, we split arciofi ripieni alla buca, grilled artichoke hearts stuffed with gorgonzola and mascarpone cheeses wrapped with prosciutto and then baked.  We also ordered bruschetta di salame, grilled Tuscan bread with fresh mozzarella, Tuscan salami, roasted red peppers, balsamic and olive oil drizzle.  Oh la la!

For dinner, my mother and I both ordered sogliola e gamberetti picatta, sautéed sole and shrimp with capers, preserved lemon fennel butter sauce and grilled asparagus over fresh pappardelle pasta.  I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed a piece of fish that much, so fresh.  Jason ate seno d’anitra, grilled duck breast with a cherry Chianti wine sauce, roasted butternut-goat cheese risotto and grilled asparagus.  My father ordered merluzzo di marliano, line-caught native cod with a pistachio crust, a grilled, stuffed tomato and parpadelle pasta tossed with roasted garlic, peas and pecorino cheese. Are you drooling yet?

Dessert was a large piece of Italian Wedding Cake, covered in coconut, whipped cream and hot fudge.We headed back to the hotel and after a restful sleep, we drove to Buckie’s Bakery on Main Street.  Trying to be healthy, I ignored the beautiful assortment of biscotti and ordered a multigrain bagel with avocado and cream cheese and Jason ordered a chocolate croissant.  As I ate my bagel which had a microscopic amount of cream cheese on it, I looked jealously at Jason’s croissant, which was warm and gooey.  Coffee was a little bland.  Usually we love Buckie’s! 

After breakfast, we drove to Sheep Pond in Brewster, which we had discovered last summer while riding our bikes along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a paved bikeway that runs 28 miles from South Dennis to Wellfleet (my favorite place in the world).  We stopped to buy some bottled water at Pleasant Lake General Store, home to a bench for Democrats and a bench for for Republicans.

The water at Sheep Pond is clear as can be and loaded with fish.  I read my book while Jason fished (he caught one perch) until the rain returned.  It was a bummer – according to the weather forecasters, Sunday should have been a sunny day!

Because we still had to satisfy our chowder craving, we wasted an hour walking around the Christmas Tree Shop in Yarmouth and a shoe store across the street.  Finally, we headed to Kream’n’ Kone for two steaming hot bowls of clam chowder, so creamy, thick and full of potato and clams.  YUM!  We usually indulge in some perfectly fried clams from Kream'n'Kone but we were still full from breakfast.  Next time!

The drizzle slowed again so we stopped at Long Pond in South Yarmouth, where Jason threw in a few more lines.  No luck.

Jason heard that the DEP is stocking the ponds with trout which means another trip to Cape Cod will happen soon.  A visit to Cape is a relaxing treat any season of the year. To learn more about Cape Cod, click here. 

Next week’s report will be on my honeymoon in Rome.  Thanks for reading!

A Taste of Tuscany: Honeymoon Report Part II

A Taste of Tuscany: Honeymoon Part II

Sunday

It was another beautiful sunny day as we left Positano, and headed to Sorrento to pick up our rental car.  Our private driver was on and off the gas as we navigated the winding roads, very close to the edge of the cliffs, and the croissant and coffee I had just consumed at our hotel danced around in my stomach.

After 20 minutes at the Hertz office, we were in our compact car and on our way to Orvieto.  It was a little tricky getting out of Sorrento (thank goodness for GPS!) but we soon found ourselves bumbling along the highway toward Naples, with beautiful views of Mount Vesuvius in the distance.  (We did stop at Pompeii for three hours, but I will blog about that separately in a future post.)

We hopped on the Autostrada (A-1), with its many tolls and 81-mph speed limit, and my back-seat driver tendencies took over immediately.   Cars whipped by us and there seemed to be a general disregard for driving lanes, despite the lines painted on the road.  I cringed each time a huge 18-wheeler cruised by, praying it stayed in its own lane.

After passing the exits for Rome, we pulled off the Frosinone exit to search for a restaurant – we were starving!  A kind fellow in convenience store pointed us in the direction of La Trattoria Albergo, which did not look like much from its exterior; in fact we had driven right by it!

Boy, were we wrong!  We walked inside to the delicious smell of grilled meats and garlic and were seated at a table in the corner.  Next to us, a family of 10 was enjoying a long, lazy Sunday dinner.  Jason and I split a caprese salad (the mozzarella was so creamy) and an extremely delicious bowl of cheesy pasta – yum, my mouth waters just thinking about it.  We also drank their house wine, very nice.

Back in the car, the scenery really started changing and we were awed by the mountains in the distance, the colors of Tuscany, the architecture of homes and miles and miles of farmland, and eventually the hill towns which shimmered like mirages in the hot afternoon sun.

We exited the A-1 (huge sign of relief from me) and headed up the hill toward Orvieto in search of our home for the night at Residence La Magnolia Bed & Breakfast.   Prior to the trip, I had emailed Serena at the B&B to inquire about parking, who told me to pull up to the hotel and she’d show me where to park.  Two problems, the road to the hotel said “no cars” and after leaving Jason and the car behind, I ran off in search of the B&B but found no one there, just a key was taped to our door.  I wandered into the bar next door, part of the B&B, and asked for Serena – she was nowhere to be found.  Thankfully, an employee of the bar directed us to a parking lot behind the Cathedral, which had a fabulous view.

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The location of the B&B was amazing, on Via del Duomo, right in the middle of town. We stayed in a room on the second floor which was cheerful and spacious. The frescoed ceilings were fabulous and we were pleased that our room had a safe and a refrigerator. 

We did find the church bells that went off several times an hour (day and night) somewhat annoying and we did not sleep well. For the price of a stay (great value!), we do recommend this hotel to others staying in Orvieto (just maybe not on a honeymoon).

After a nap and some relaxing, we headed out to explore Orvieto and have some dinner.  The blazing sun had calmed down a bit and we enjoyed the cooler air, taking in our surroundings and walking down the quintessential little “alleys” that are so European.

The Orvieto Cathedral is massive; we spent quite a bit of time standing in the square staring at the stained glass windows, golden mosaics and three huge bronze doors.  Just amazing!

For dinner, we ate at Ristorante Antico Bucchero, sitting outside on a little terrace with a handful of tables and other diners enjoying the cool nighttime air.  We ordered a carafe of the house wine and a deer crostini appetizer.  We devoured plates of braised rabbit and wild boar.  Delisioso!

Monday:

We woke up early, hoping to see as much of Orvieto as possible before leaving for Siena, where we would spend three nights.  We needed some coffee so we popped downstairs for the complimentary croissant and cappuccino before heading to our car to store our bags.

We toured the Orvieto Cathedral, which was extremely impressive.  After some time there, we decided to follow Rick Steve’s recommended walk around the outskirts of Orvieto.  We somehow got off track and this walk became more of a chore in the blazing heat.  Unfortunately, this walk killed two hours and by the time we made it back into the walls of Orvieto, we were sweaty, starving and very thirsty! We sat down at an outdoor table at L’Oste del Re, chugged two bottles of water each and ate a couple paninos.

After lunch, we peeked into some of Orvieto’s ceramic and wine shops and grabbed gelato for the road.

The drive from Orvieto to Siena was approximately 90 minutes long and finding the Palazzo Ravizza was a snap.  Check in was simple and we easily parked our car in the gated lot behind the hotel.

Our room at the Palazzo Ravizza was small and simple and offered a great view of the countryside from its shuttered window.   

However, the sun baked the back of the hotel during the daytime and because of this, we couldn’t open the window to enjoy the view of the hills or the beautifully-manicured courtyard below. 

After a quick nap, we headed out to the Palazzo Ravizza’s gorgeous garden with views overlooking the setting sun over the gorgeous Tuscan hills and countryside.  We drank prosecco and took deep breaths, taking in our new beautiful surroundings.  It was not the Mediterranean but it was just as stunning.

Map in hand, we wandered the 10 minutes into town before stumbling upon Piazza del Campo, Siena’s picturesque medieval piazza lined by restaurants and cafes.   

We sat down for a drink, watching folks stroll through the square before eventually eating at Trattoria La Torre, an informal restaurant with about eight tables.  The kitchen was small and open and we watched the one cook throwing homemade pasta into sauces and sizzling meats into sauté pans.  Jason and I split a steak, pasta and a carafe of wine.  Despite my Italian crash course prior to the trip, language was a bit of a barrier here; there was no printed menu and I could not understand our waiter explaining the menu.  But still a delightful experience!

Tuesday:

After a filling breakfast of cappuccino, fresh mozzarella, salami, cereal, croissants and fruit in the Palazzo Ravizza’s breakfast room (there were tables outside in the courtyard but the weather was chilly in the October morning), we showered and dressed for our first excursion to wine country.  It was Jason’s birthday!

At our request, the front desk clerk reserved us a tour at a winery in Montalcino called Poggio Antico, in the Brunello region.   Following the easy directions, the drive took us less than an hour, and took us through a couple little villages, vineyards, farm land and open fields.  As we passed the road leading to Montalcino, the scenery became much more dramatic and amazingly beautiful.

Driving through rows of tall cypress trees, we finally arrived at Poggio Antico.  The view from the vineyard was just stunning.  On a clear day, our guide told us that you can see the Mediterranean.  The tour guide was informative and interesting, and after about an hour, our group went inside for a tasting.  We bought a bottle of wine called “Madre” which we plan to drink on our first anniversary.

We then drove into Montalcino and parked in a small lot near the town’s Spalti Fortezza , or fortress.  We saw folks dining on a patio overlooking the fortress and found a free table at a wine bar called Drogheria Franci La Gaida. 

We shared a basket of freshly baked bread, a cheese and meat plate, a most fresh and colorful salad and a honey tasting plate with crispy croutons for dipping, and of course, two very delicious glasses of Brunello wine. 

We walked off lunch by touring Montalcino’s narrow streets, checking out the Duomo and wandering around the tiny gift shops selling Brunello wine.

Arriving back at the hotel, we were unable to get into our room – the lock appeared broken.  After further inspection by the bartender/handyman, a carpenter was called in to saw through the lock!  The bartender gave us a complimentary drink (or two) but after a couple hours without a room and access to our belongings, we wanted to get into ANY room, to nap and freshen up before Jason’s birthday dinner reservation at 8pm.  Turns out, the hotel was full but management put us in one of their beautiful suites, which boasted a very, very large Jacuzzi tub, antique furniture, painted ceilings and pillars in the room.  Lucky us!

Dinner at La Taverna de San Guiseppe, an uphill walk from the piazza, was one of the highlights of our trip.  After a complimentary sampling of the restaurant’s soup, we split some gnocchi before our entrees which included the mixed grill of steak, chicken and ribs and the mouth-watering osso bucco.

We had a very special table in the back of the cave-like restaurant (make a reservation) and received a tour of the old Etruscan wine and cheese cellar after dinner from our very accommodating server.  

I told the server that it was my husband’s birthday and about 10 minutes later, all lights dimmed, disco music began and the restaurant staff and patrons erupted in song and clapping, singing to Jason, carrying champagne for both of us as well as a generous portion of tiramisu.  We loved La Taverna de San Guiseppe – what a special night.

Wednesday:

Our last full day in Siena before moving onto Rome.  After breakfast at our hotel, we walked across town to the bus terminal to buy our bus tickets for the following day.  We spent a good few hours wandering around Siena's narrow streets.

Near the bus station, we walked around the outdoor market, tasting honey and checking out the beautiful produce and other odds and ends, and eventually made our way back to Siena’s Cathedral, which was absolutely stunning inside and out.

Around 1pm, we hopped back in our car and headed toward the Chianti Classico region, which lies between Florence and Siena.  The ride was amazing and we had a delicious lunch at Osteria Quercegrossa, a small restaurant in the little village of Quercegrossa.  We shared an antipasto Toscano followed by homemade orchiette with fresh tomato and basil and a small carafe of wine.  This little “hole in the wall” restaurant was one of the most tasty, simple meals we ate while in Italy.

After lunch, we drove along the road, taking in the breathtaking scenery and stopping for photos along the way. 

Because we had to return our car at Hertz, we headed back to Siena, stopping briefly for some wine tasting at Enoteca di Fonterutoli, where tasting four wines costs 5E. We bought a beautiful bottle of wine which we later drank on our balcony. 

After returning the car, we took a cab to the Palazzo Ravizza, where unfortunately and fortunately, we had to once again change hotel rooms due to our original room being unusable and every room the in the hotel being booked.  This time we were pleasantly surprised with a suite with a beautiful terrace overlooking the garden.  A fair trade for a little inconvenience!

We called the bartender, who delivered an amazing plate of cheese, grapes and fresh bread, and we sipped our wine and watched the sun set. 

The sounds of a piano and opera floated into our room and we figured someone was using the record player in the beautiful common area adjacent to our suite.   Upon further investigation, we discovered a male vocalist and a pianist rehearsing together on the hotel’s grand piano; the acoustics in the room were fantastic.  I was moved to tears – it was beautiful.  I wished my Italian grandmother was there to witness this; the man’s voice was haunting.  A small crowd of hotel guests gathered in the room and we all enjoyed the show.  To hear a bit of this beautiful music, click here. 

For dinner, as recommended by one of the front desk clerks at our hotel, we ate at a forgettable pizzeria called Ristorante Due Porte, a three-minute walk from our hotel.   We split a very generic salad that had canned olives on it (in Italy?!).  We also split a pizza which was so/so.  The restaurant had a large patio which must have had a nice view of the hills during the day.   Off to bed, next day Rome!

Thursday:

After our last breakfast at the Palazzo Ravizza, we called a cab which brought us to the bus station.  All in all, a fabulous taste of Tuscany.  I only wish we could have spent more time driving around exploring and wine tasting. All the more reason to come back another time! Thanks for reading. Where to Next?  Roma! 

To learn more about Tuscany, please click here. 

If you enjoyed my blog, please like my Where to Next fan page on Facebook by clicking here.  If you’d like to read about the first five nights of my honeymoon in Positano, click here.