Vini

The flight was from Heathrow early on Wednesday morning and we were lucky to have a friend to taken us to the airport. We arrived in plenty of time and that early things were very quiet; no queues all the way to the boarding gate.
The plane was only a quarter full but somehow we still managed to take of late.
I love the way they separate the Economy Class from the rest by a curtain so we cannot see the excess they are getting; Economy got a soft drink plus a choice of a savoury or sweet snack. Why should they worry. Economy paid a lot less and would not expect more. It then occurred to me that the curtain hides what Economy are getting from the high fliers*

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We arrived at Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino on time and the weather was cool but dry. We disembarked on the tarmac and took buses to the arrivals area. It was a very long drive and we got to wonder if they were taking us right into Rome.

According to the Shuttle Bus instructions there would be someone with a blue sign and our name waiting for as at the exit. We wandered around for about 10 minutes before approaching someone who told us where the Shuttle Bus booth was located. Only then did the sign with our name get pulled out and displayed. We were told to stand 'over there' and they would arrange a bus in about 30 minutes.

We went to stand near an American family but the 30 minutes wait was annoying. I think they were expecting us to wait until another flight arrived. Rita soon was on the case and after a few minutes chat there appeared a driver to take us and the American family to our hotels.

The journey was interesting. Firstly as an education in how to drive in Rome and secondly how to do your paperwork whilst driving. Cars weaved around each other in a graceful ballet, amazingly everyone seemed to be unaffected with the exchanges. I could see many 'transactions' in England generating Road Rage.

First impressions of the Hotel, Romanico Palace was not good. We gave our name and immediately the chap behind the counter was offering us an upgrade. We had already discounted the upgrade when booking. He said we could get an upgrade for €25 which was €5 under the normal cost.

We couldn't get into the room straightaway so we dropped off our luggage and went for an explore. Italy is a foreign place and they drive on the wrong side of the road, like most of the world. It got quite interesting crossing streets and working out the rules of the road. Unlike the UK the Italians are far more relaxed about the riles of the road. If there is a gap between pedestrians on a crossing then scooters and small cars will shoot through. It is a game but no one gets annoyed.

The hotel had a pad of Rome maps which proved to be very useful and over the days we saw many people wandering around Rome using these maps. And they were free.

Rome, and I suppose the rest of Italy, is expensive. Most restaurants, and I don't mean had pizza and pasta and between €8 and €10 about twice the cost in most equivalent London restaurants.

^*Funny term seeing as they were flying the same height above terra firma as we were.