Some folks claim that this historical confluence of strade contributes to the confusion and, yes, grubbiness to be found in one of the world's most exciting cities.
We've spent only a few hours of a single day in Rome, and that was 11 years ago shortly after September 11 2001, one stop on a wonderful Mediterranean cruise with two of Kathy's brothers and their families. We're looking forward to upwards of four days in the Eternal City this time, staying at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel.
Following that we're planning a week in a little hotel about a 90-minute train and bus ride from Rome in the town of Soriano nel Cimino. The hotel, Palazzo Catalani, is affiliated with son David's timeshare and happens to get great reviews.
Our bags are packed, our UA upgrades have cleared, and we'll drive to Seattle tomorrow afternoon to take some cute grandkids out for dinner before flying out early Monday morning, January 31.
Flight............Depart...................Arrive
UA 732.........SEA 6:10 AM........ORD 11:57 AM
UA 728.........ORD 1:10 PM.......IAD 4:00 PM
UA 966.........IAD 5:01 PM........FCO* 7:45 AM (Tue, Feb 1)
That will also add another 6787 EQMs to our UA Mileage Plus accounts but, as always, who's counting?
*Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci di Fiumicino
Kathy and Brian
Two retired educators alternating joyfully between seeing the world and enjoying our eight grandchildren (in order of birth), Jake, Avery, Taegan, Lily, Peyton, Riley, Blane, and Jace.
Kathy and Brian met in the clarinet section of the University of California (Santa Barbara) Symphony Orchestra several decades ago.
Brian's Western Canadian roots and Kathy's Colorado ties resulted in their making beautiful music together along with producing a cross-border crop of descendants.
Kathy spent a year studying in Vienna at the Institute for European Studies and the University of Vienna.
Brian started the school band program in Hope, British Columbia, and later became the high school's vice-principal for 6 years and subsequently principal for 15 years before retiring in 2001.
Kathy, in between raising our three children, taught kindergarten and first grade, middle school, and high school - mathematics, computer studies, ESL, and her first love, band, before retiring in 2001.
We enjoy sharing our travel experiences and providing the odd travel tip to friends, relatives, and visitors.
