Rome

We took the 9:30 Eurostar from Florence to Rome. The train ride was about 1 1/2 hour long. The Eurostar was comfortable and new. There was enough space between seats to hold our luggage. After arriving Rome, we were able to hire a taxi van that could hold all our luggage and the six of us. We were so impressed with the driver that we had him wait for us while we checked in to the hotel. After checking in the same taxi driver took us for a little tour of the city. He brought us to this place where he said we must see. It was on a hill called the Aventine Hill, and he told us to look through this key hole on a closed door. It was part of the gate to the headquarters of the Knights of Malta. You can't really get inside, but everybody seemed to enjoy taking pictures through the keyhole. We could see the St. Peter Basilica all the way at the end of the garden through this key hole. Very impressive! 

This was what we saw through the key hole. We could see St. Peter Basilica all the way through.

Then, the driver dropped us off at the Coliseum.

A tour operator came up and asked if we want to join their walking tour so we won't have to get in the big, long line. Of course, we agreed to pay and not having to wait in line.

Here, we were waiting for the whole group before entering the Coliseum. There were about 30 of us altogether.

After we came out of the Coliseum, another guide (Jonathan) took us to the Palatine.

It was very hot, we took every opportunity to rest under the shade.

Forum

The guide told us that all the water fountains around Rome is drinkable spring water and they are better than store-bought water. So we all filled our bottles with this nice, cool water.

After the tour we went back to the hotel to rest. We did not have lunch and just bought some snacks and fruits from the store near the hotel.

This hotel is right around the corner of Trevi Fountain.

Huge bathroom

Later on Jon, Celia, and Caitlin went to have dinner at this restaurant that the cab driver recommended. But we thought it was too expensive to have a 60 Euros pp dinner. We just wanted to have something around the hotel. 

We walked to the Trevi Fountain which was right around the corner but it was very crowded.

Look at all the tourists!

We then just picked a restaurant nearby and thought the price they posted was reasonable. Like 10 Euros for a 4-course fish dinner 12 Euros, Paella cost 16 Euros, which didn’t sound too bad, so we went in. Food was fine, not great, but for the price we thought it was OK. 

Then we talked to a Chinese waiter who works there and asked him about the restaurant. He said the main chef was not there that’s why the food is not that great that evening. I asked him if we come tomorrow will the chef be there? He said, don’t come back, go somewhere else. This place over-charge customers on cover charge and service charge. He said the restaurant next door does not charge cover or service charge. Ask the restaurant first if they have those charges. He said this restaurant does not have good reputation. Tourists had to call the police several times when they found out they were over-charged but the police couldn’t do anything.

He was right, when the bill came, we couldn’t even read what was on the bill and how they came up with the total. The other waiter brought the menu and said “Everything is marked on the menu, you can check.” But the total was not right. Not only did they charge 4euros pp cover charge, they also added 18% service charge. OK, we learned our lesson. The Chinese waiter told us that the boss just charges whatever he feels like and never have a fix charge. Too bad we did not take down the name of this restaurant and we left this restaurant with a bad taste in our mouths. After dinner, we strolled around the area. A lot of people were still out and about. Night life seemed to be very active. After walking for about half an hour we went back to our hotel and called it a day.