Just returned from a fantastic trip to Italy and here is a recap of impressions/suggestions I gleaned from the trip. Most of it was spent in Rome, but we did travel a bit south:<br><br>Flights:<br><br>Flew Alitalia out of Newark (my favorite airport in the NY area). I'd never flown Alitalia before and my impressions were that the employees were extremely polite and warm, but very disorganized -- everything from check-in to boarding to meal/drink service on board seemed to throw them into a tizzy. Couldn't figure out why, but they just couldn't seem to get their act together. We had short delays each way in taking off, and I can attribute it to nothing else than disorganization. One example is on the return flight in Rome, I was pulled off the line for one of the random inspections (those who've met me will attest that I probably fit the profile). No problem, though -- I like that they are doing it and they seem to do it more than the American carriers. What I thought strange was that after no drugs, explosives or other contraband were found I returned to the line and 10 minutes later and a few parties closer to the check-in counter, I was approached again by the same young lady to step aside with her so they could do a random routine search of my luggage. As others in the line laughed at her mistake I sort of chuckled and commented that I was impressed with how thorough they were, as she just went through my luggage 10 minutes earlier. I was given a skeptical look and told that my luggage had not been checked. I wasn't about to argue with airport personnel and suggested we make our way to the examination table (by this time I knew the drill). We got to the table and the other inspector looked at me (I just shrugged and smiled), looked at the original inspector with me and then looked back at me. They exchanged a few words in Italian, apologized and quickly escorted me back to the line without opening the luggage again. Kind of funny, but doesn't really instill too much confidence if they don't remember which passengers they've already checked.<br><br>Hotel:<br><br>Arrived in Rome at Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) International Airport, went through immigration, got our luggage and passed through the seemingly non-existant customs. Hopped a cab, got stuck in a.m. Rome rush hour traffic and an hour later (and 75 Euro lighter), arrived at our hotel. We stayed at the Hotel Nova Domus, in a very nice neighborhood about five blocks north of the entrance to the Vatican Museum. This is listed as a four-star hotel. Through my travels in Europe, my impression is that their "star" system is not as discerning as ours. However, the hotel was very nice, modern, clean, had a nice restaurant, bar and lounge, and very helpful staff and concierge service. Certainly good enough for the likes of us! Quite pleased with the choice of this hotel, because in my book you really take a chance choosing a hotel sight unseen.<br><br>Weather:<br><br>Could not have been more glorious! Cool mornings and evenings (needed a light sweater or jacket) and days about 75F with no humidity and not a cloud in the sky. I was in hog heaven. Great sleeping weather, also.<br><br>Sights:<br><br>OK, where does one start here? So much history here it's almost overwhelming:<br><br>Vatican Museum: I'll use the word overwhelming again to make a feeble attempt to describe the art treasures housed here, including la piece de resistance at the end of the tour, the Sistine Chapel. There are over 6 km. of galleries in the Vatican Museum and the four hours we spent there was just the tip of the iceberg, however I had had enough of the crowds by then. A quick note: the line to get into the Vatican Museum goes out the door, down the block, around the corner and then down the street and around a large curve in the road until you can find the back of the line. This may seem a little daunting, but don't let it fool you. It seems you'll be there all day waiting, but we only waited about 20 minutes until we were in the museum. In that regard, they really know how to move crowds.<br><br>St. Peter's Square and Basilica:<br><br>If you're going to proceed from the Vatican Museum to St. Peter's (immediately adjacent), here's a word to the wise: at the end of the Vatican Museum is the Sistine Chapel. After leaving the chapel there is a room with seats and a doorway to the left clearly marked Uscita/Exit. This will take you on a 10 minute walk to the exit (right next to the entrance), and from there you have another 10 minute walk around the Vatican wall to St. Peter's Square. However, I got a tip from a gent in the hotel bar the prior evening (see? -- it pays to drink; you learn things!) and he told me that instead of using the exit to the left after the Sistine Chapel, there is a doorway in the far right corner of the room marked "Exit for tour groups only". Well, I guess it all depends on your definition of "group", so we used it and came out into St. Peter's Square almost in front of the basilica and just to the right of the papal apartments (some pretty nice digs, I might add). Aaaaanywho, the point is, if you want to save yourself 20 minutes of unnecessary walking, this is the way to go. As you walk out into the square, I can't imagine anyone not being impressed with the sight, Catholic or not. Having grown up in a relatively strict Catholic family and done the 12 years of school, altar boy stint (stop laughing!!), the whole nine yards, I was actually amazed at how touched I was at being there, seeing that I've sort of, well, "slipped" in my devotion in recent years. But Dad can now rest in peace and Mom can die in peace knowing that now all three of their children have made it to St. Peter's in Rome. (Not surprisingly to them and true to form, however, I was the last one to do so.) The basilica and everything about it was amazing and to the immediate right as you enter is Michaelangelo's masterpiece marble sculpture, La Pieta. Behind bulletproof glass now because some years ago some demented moron charged it and took a hammer to it. Go figure. The rest of the basilica is just tremendous and beautiful. Our last day in Rome, we happened to stumble upon the Pope out in the Square giving one of his weekly blessings in languages from all over the world. This was icing on the cake!<br><br>Other sights:<br><br>Across the Tiber River is what was once the glory of ancient Rome:<br><br>The Pantheon, built in the years B.C. as a temple to Roman gods and later converted into a church. Amazingly preserved and free entrance.<br><br>Behind the Piazza Venezia and the guarded Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, one descends down into the ruins of the ancient Roman Forum. Hard to imagine you're in the place of the thriving center of ancient Roman government, with the Palatine Hill up to the right.<br><br>Proceed though the Foro Romano and straight ahead is the Colosseum. What more to say? Simply awesome! It was free that day, too, as part of European Culture Weekend. On the other side of the Palatine Hill is the remains of the Circus Maximus, the site of chariot races. A woman standing nearby was commenting that she didn't know what it was, and I leaned over and whispered, "just think Ben Hur". She ran over to her husband and proudly announced that this is where Charlton Heston filmed the chariot race in Ben Hur. (No, I just left it alone -- it was too rich.[img]/images/icons2/laugh.gif[/img])<br><br>Trevi Fountain:<br><br>Actually, I have to BELIEVE there was a fountain under the sea of humanity seated all over the place. Did the whole 2 coins tossed over the shoulder, etc. This is also a nice neighborhood to explore and find a very nice and affordable lunch in one of the many, many sidewalk cafes and relax the poor old feet from all the walking.[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]<br><br>Piazza di Spagna:<br><br>Famous for its Spanish Steps. Also a sea of humanity, but nice to sit, regroup and do some fun people watching.<br><br>The Catacombs:<br><br>I see dead people.........NOT!! The bones have been long removed, but the tour is about a half hour, offered in a whole host of languages. Well worth it. I did find it a bit creepy, but that's maybe the appeal.<br><br>Piazza Navona:<br><br>I mention this not for its huge historical significance, but for the large number of wonderful restaurants along the plaza and the interesting (or not) performance artists. (Clowns/mimes give me the creeps[img]/images/icons2/shocked.gif[/img] since I was a child and still do, but it was great for people watching.) Explore the little side streets and alley ways around here also. Fabulous little bars/trattorias all over the place frequented by residents of Rome.<br><br>Outside Rome:<br><br>Kudos to my buddy Bobcat for suggesting heading south out of Rome instead of north when on limited time such as we were. Took the advice and have no regrets. Thanks, Bobcat!! We headed out of Rome (booked a tour through the concierge at our hotel as opposed to heading out and bumbling around on our own) and headed south.<br><br>First stop Naples (about the 2-1/2 hour drive). I found Naples interesting, but living where I do, was not sorry to leave it. Crowded, congested and the traffic was a nightmare. Not relaxing, but interesting just the same.<br><br>South around the bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius in the background to Pompeii, buried by ash (in I believe 79 AD?) by Vesuvius which looms immediately to the north. I loved the tour of Pompeii, but I must say -- tourist trap, tourist trap, tourist trap. However, if you're down that way, it IS a must-see -- no way around it. Extremely interesting.<br><br>South from Pompeii and on to Sorrento. We didn't do the boat ride over the Capri, because were advised not to. The reason being, the main thing we wanted to visit there was the Blue Grotto and we were told that the sea level was a bit high and the boats ferrying you under the rock opening to the grotto had difficulty negotiating it. Therefore, we bagged that idea (and were told later by people who went that we missed another tourist mess, so we felt better). On to Sorrento and the beginning of the Amalfi coast. All I can say about this is the scenery along the coastline is breathtaking. Sorrento was touristy, yes, but it had a different feel to it. Very upscale and not such a frenetic pace. I really enjoyed Sorrento. Over night there and down the Amalfi coast to Positano. Again, what can I say? Amazing. A little rich for my blood, but very lovely and enjoyable.[img]/images/icons2/laugh.gif[/img]<br><br>Back to Rome and our base at the Hotel Nova Domus to make plans for our return flight (nightmare 10 hours with, count 'em -- 6 screaming babies). Certainly not the babies' fault but still made for an unpleasant Atlantic crossing nevertheless. I don't know how (or why) people travel with babies that age (one tiny infant looked like it had been born at the gate), but that's just me.<br><br>Miscellaneous Thoughts:<br><br>The people of Rome were friendly enough, but like any big city I suppose the friendliness of a country's residents increases as you leave the metropolitan areas and head out into the countryside. Again, they weren't rude, but just not as outgoing or approachable as I had imagined they'd be.<br><br>Final thought: DO NOT get into a cab in Rome if you are faint-of-heart or are not suicidal. I've never seen anything like it in my life. The only rules when driving in Rome are that there ARE no rules. They stay in their lanes like rocks in an avalanche.[img]/images/icons2/yikes.gif[/img] Interesting to see, but it did make for some anxious moments.<br><br>That about covers it. I'm sure I left some things out, and if you have any questions or observations, fire away!<br><br>-Kevin[img]/images/icons2/cheers.gif[/img]