A Note From Paul: Italy was FANTASTIC!
Greetings All! We're back from our tour of Venice and Rome. It was my first time to Pompeii -- what a kick.
Venice was wonderful, though a bit cool and damp. But Roma... ROMA!!!
Ahh, what a city! My love affair with The Eternal City has been
rekindled.
So to top off a wonderful stay, I'm
offering my take on "The Best of Rome". Strictly opinion of course, but
if you're planning a trip, this information should come in handy. (And
if you're not planning a trip... Why NOT?!?!)
There must be a thousand great hotels in Rome, but my new favorite is the Villa Spalletti
Trivelli.
It's an easy walk to the Trevi Fountain and The Pantheon, there's great
shopping all around (as my wife and daughter will testify -- arrgh!).
The hotel itself is a quiet oasis of old-world luxury. The staff is
accommodating to a fault -- they even put out a table of 
top-shelf liquors for your pleasure, gratis!
Trivelli.
It's an easy walk to the Trevi Fountain and The Pantheon, there's great
shopping all around (as my wife and daughter will testify -- arrgh!).
The hotel itself is a quiet oasis of old-world luxury. The staff is
accommodating to a fault -- they even put out a table of top-shelf liquors for your pleasure, gratis!
You know it's someplace special when,
instead of simply walking into the lobby, you arrive at the front
entrance, ring the bell, and one of their wonderful staff comes to show
you to your room.
The Best View in Rome
...is beyond a doubt from the roof of the Hotel Hassler Roma.
We didn't stay at the Hassler, and you don't have to stay there to
enjoy a drink at the rooftop bar as the sun sets over Saint Peter's
Basilica in the distance. Stunning!
The Best Guide in Rome
Everyone hopes their vacation will be all
they dreamed it would be, and to that end, a good guide is worth his
(or her) weight in gold. For my money, that guide is Alessio Vicari.
(That's him on the right.) He combines an encyclopedic knowledge of
his "home town" with his impeccable English. (And trust me, when you're
trying to listen to your guide in an echoing underground passage as
other tourists are passing by, chattering and laughing, your guide's
good English is essential.) He has an easy way with people, and makes the best restaurant recommendations, then calls ahead to be sure you'll get a good table. Which brings us to...
The Best Restaurant in Rome!
Ok, we all know this is the most important one, so I saved the best for last. One
of Alessio's recommendations -- the one that sealed his value in my eyes -- was Sora Margherita. It's located in what used to be Rome's "Jewish Ghetto". A tiny place -- about the size of a subway car -- it's packed to the walls with locals.
of Alessio's recommendations -- the one that sealed his value in my eyes -- was Sora Margherita. It's located in what used to be Rome's "Jewish Ghetto". A tiny place -- about the size of a subway car -- it's packed to the walls with locals.
I promise you, I have never tasted such
food in my life. Our waitress, pictured, asked us what we wanted, and
when we had trouble deciding, told us "You just sit. I'll bring you
food." And boy did she! The deep 
fried
artichoke was amazing, crispy like potato chips but with a delicious
nuttiness that I had never before experienced. The meatballs were
better than my Aunt Mary used to make. (I'm sorry Aunt Mary! May you
rest in peace!) And the ravioli was to die for.
fried
artichoke was amazing, crispy like potato chips but with a delicious
nuttiness that I had never before experienced. The meatballs were
better than my Aunt Mary used to make. (I'm sorry Aunt Mary! May you
rest in peace!) And the ravioli was to die for.
But you don't have to take my word for it. The walls of Sora Margherita are cov
ered
with hand-written notes, in every language you can think of, written on
napkins, note pads, business cards -- whatever they could find. They're
all from past patrons, raving about the food and promising to return again and again. Just as I plan to do.
ered
with hand-written notes, in every language you can think of, written on
napkins, note pads, business cards -- whatever they could find. They're
all from past patrons, raving about the food and promising to return again and again. Just as I plan to do.
It's gems like Sora Margherita, just a
tiny hole-in-the-wall in a not-often-visited part of Rome, that make
travel such a rewarding experience.
* * *
So there you have it, my take on "The Best of Rome". But you know what each of you should do? Go to Rome, make your own list!
Until next week...
