travel does weird things to time. it feels like eons ago that we were in lake como, or that we were packing our bags and driving to jfk. i don’t understand. my mom and dad left today, and i’m bummed. we still have a lot of adventure left, and i’m looking forward to it, but man was it nice having them here. and not just for the extra set of hands or the morning coffee! i just like being around them, and no matter how old you are, there’s something comforting about having mom and dad near. why don’t you guys turn around and come back???
florence was amazing. that city is so, so great. orvieto was so wonderful and after spending as much time there as we did, we so became part of the local scene, recognized faces, had our little routines, but it is a slow and somewhat sleepy pace so arriving in florence had me energized and ready to discover. it was only a few days (wish it were longer) but i feel like we got a lot accomplished (especially for having kids in tow!).
we also made friends (you remember jora?! i forever miss her blog.) and what a welcome surprise it was. first we got together for a big lunch as a family, and then upon hitting it off, we hung out every day until we left. she is even lovelier in person, and i already miss her and her sweet family. they’re keepers and i can’t wait to see them again.
we’re in rome now ready to take it all in, but is it okay to say i’m tired and hitting the sack tonight extra early? we arrived, i went to get groceries, came home and got in the bath with parker and anders (yes, all three of us) and didn’t leave the apartment again. it’s terrible, i know, but sometimes i need a slow day, even though we just arrived. i think the kids need that too. i sometimes wonder if all of this is a lot for parker, and if he needs tastes of home. slow mornings where he just can flip through a book, eat his apple slices dipped in peanut butter, race his cars around. since we’ve been here, there hasn’t been as much of that as he’s used to. i don’t want him to get lost in the rat race of travel. there’s always tomorrow.
now it’s time for me to go to bed. more to come on florence with some of my recommendations. and if you’ve got some for rome, please let me know! (i especially welcome the gastronomy-centered ones. i’m not a seeeerious museum-goer but cafe and restaurant-goer, indeed.)
I also mentioned this on your insta, but Ristorante 34 (http://www.ristoranteal34.it/eng/) was recommended to us about 8 years ago and we eat there every time we're in Roma. It's just down from the bottom of the Spanish Steps, and is phenomenal. We always ask the waiters to bring us what they think is best and we request half portions so that we get to try more things. It's super affordable for what you're getting and the food is fabulous! You won't see many tourists, and the waiters will most definitely hug on your boys….maybe even pick them up and carry them around the restaurant lol. Enjoy your time there, but don't feel bad for taking 'grace days' and doing absolutely nothing! Love all the updates! Ciao Ciao!
Pizzarium near the Cipro metro stop. Perfect for on the go lunch or dinner take away. Amazing flavors and creative combinationsOne of our favorites! Via della Meloria 43
dar poeta in trastevere!
Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona for a Tartuffo!
http://www.trescalini.it/en/il-tartufo
Il Cantico about 6 blocks behind San Pietro. Best wine list we've found in Rome plus an immense rooftop/terrace garden where all their organic produce and herbs are harvested. Fresh, contemporary decor, great food, not too pricy, and best of all all proceeds benefit the worldwide charities of the Franciscans.
Two recommendations, neither food-related, but both great spots for families: (1) Ostia Antica (http://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/index.php) — not exactly IN Rome, but easy to access by public transportation. This was without a doubt my favorite site in the area — all the ancient Rome you could want without the glut of tourists to compete with at more popular sites (like the Forum or the Colosseum) in Rome proper. We spent three hours here, but could have easily spent more. Nice place for kids to roam around and get a major dose of hands-on history. (2) Not far from the Pantheon is the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary (http://www.romancats.com/index_eng.php), nestled among the ruins of ancient Roman temples. This is a no-kill cat shelter, and a lot of the cats have issues of some sort (blindness, injuries, etc.); it's a nice break in the tourism action, and when we were there, we were able to pet the cats as we liked. This would probably take no more than 30 minutes of your day; there are no lines, it's free, and if you happened to buy anything at their gift shop, you'd be supporting the work they're doing to keep cats in Rome healthy and housed.
Old Bridge right by the Vatican is the best gellatto place! So good and they give you a lot for the price. Also go to St. Peter's square at night! It is soo beautiful!! and the cupola of St. Peter's although that could be hard for Parker because there are tons of steps but well worth it for the view!
Florence is the BEST! okay call me a total heretic, but in Rome we got cheeseburgers and shakes at Hard Rock and they were unbelievable. One American cheating meal is ok amidst so much delicious authentic Italian. 😉
Thank you for taking us along on this amazing adventure. It truly is beautiful. I agree it's fun to hang out with our parents at this age. My parents are coming to stay with us for two weeks, we have a three month old. I am just so excited at the thought of being able to complete something, laundry, cleaning, shower before the bebe calls.
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