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Rome. The last stop on this Petit Grand Tour and I'm quite happy about that, let me tell you why. I've been moving around now for 8 nights (gypsy blood I know). This is my 6th hotel in my 6th city, and quite frankly I'm glad to be able to just relax for the last couple of days and finish preparing myself for the year ahead.
This holiday has been like 3 city breaks with a stop-over before each one. It has been great to see so many amazing sights and experience places differently than you normally would on a weekend away and I will be visiting all the places again in the future, but with the added benefit of knowing where I'm going! Might start with Monaco for my birthday...
On the subject of travelling alone, it's difficult. I don't think I'd like to do it again. This was pretty much a one-off due to the events of the last four months but, nevertheless, it has been essential in me getting myself back to 100%. Selfish? Perhaps, even indulgent? Maybe. But what I do know is that I feel stronger than when I left, and to be honest, that was the whole reason for coming out here; that is what enables me to help my brilliant family and friends around me. If I'm right in myself (contortionist too) then I can properly be around for everyone else and not have to worry about me, know what I mean? It makes sense in my head anyway. Kind of like recharging my batteries.
Anyway, moving on... Rome, one word; WOW. Off the train I sniffed my way up to the Presidential Palace and Parliament Buildings, don't ask me how. I'm getting good at finding the epicentre of a city and going from there. Homing instinct or something, I don't need a map either; bloody geographers.
From there I had done a bit of research on a hotel called Hotel Hors and I knew it wasn't too far from the Spanish Steps so followed the signs to there. I stumbled across the hotel before I found the steps, just set back off the main road next to Prada and Valentino in what looked like quite an upmarket shopping street. Not a bad start, I thought. I went in, the lady behind the desk confirmed there was a room free and proceeded to take my details. Then I asked her, in quite a touristy manner "am I close to the centre of Rome here?" and her response, quite dryly was, "Mr Clark, if you put a pin on a map for Rome, it would go straight through your toes". Point taken. Literally.
So, it seems I have a hotel for the next 3 nights in what can only be compared as 'backing on to Trafalgar Square'. And WHAT a hotel it is! Four stars with a champagne bar on the ground floor and stunning terrace on the roof. I don't know if it's my lovely face or my natural charm but I seem to have bagged my second penthouse suite of the week. This one even has a phone next to the toilet, god only knows why. Incase I run out of toilet roll perhaps?
After getting checked in I took myself off for my orientation exercise. Found the Spanish steps just 100 yards from my hotel, then wound through the tight cobbled streets to the Trevi Fountain, a three minute walk away. Both were absolutely crawling with tourists and the now obligatory North Africans selling all manner of crap. From there I walked down to the Presidential district and grabbed an espresso in a cafe bar opposite the parliament building, 5/5. The Italians attitude to life appears to be; If you are not smoking a fag you should be drinking an espresso, if your are not drinking brown rocket fuel you should be smoking a fag. No wonder they are all so excitable.
After my palpitations had died down I walked back up Via Condotti past every single design house I have ever heard of (and a lot i haven't) and back to my hotel for a shower. Now we were going to have a little chat with Monaco about how the world is in financial melt down and they should slow their intake of Bentleys and Rolls Royce supercars just a teeny bit, well can we pull Italy over to one side while we are at it too? 'Cuz I have never seen shopping like it. It's insane. I love it. I'm incredibly jealous of it personally. I thought Italy was flat broke...?
Dinner was had in a really small ristorante opposite my hotel, Veal Milanese, Foccacia and oils and dips. All followed by another Italian coffee. Seriously, they are giving me a run for my money!
Early night tonight as tomorrow is a big day out to Vatican City, going to ask the pope what his thoughts are on the song Elbow wrote for him. I liked it.
Night all,
Si x
- comments
Jan Brilliant way to recharge your batteries! :-) Enjoy drinking in the atmosphere of Rome....as well as the coffees! xx
Lynn Kirton Fantastic blog we ave so enjoyed reading about your travels,we are sooooooooooo proud of you our Sime luv Marg & Lynn xx