We chose Moncton Airport for our flight out on Friday Mar 12th... lots of connections but it got us moving a day earlier than Halifax. The Flight - Moncton / Montreal / Paris / Rome was almost 12 hrs not counting stop overs. We lucked out though... made all our connections and no bad weather.

The Air Canada Jazz flight had amazing views of both Moncton and Montreal for landing and take off, with clear cool skies. On the Air France leg to Paris Jane and I both got a nap on the plane... nothing too cozy but at least something to keep us functional with the help of a coffee or two.

New for me on the overseas flight this trip was a really informative "Your Flight" screen that detailed our progress giving real time info on speed, altitude, time, eta, and location on a digital map. I could always quickly look and see where we were. Too cool!!! In Paris, Charles DeGaulle was tolerable and we made our Alitalia connection easily. Nicely, we landed in Rome on time, a little jet-legged but ready to situate for the rest of the day! Wonderful view of the Alps as we flew down toward the boot of Italy.

We hit the ground running at FCU, grabbing RomaPass booklets for both Janie and I and making our train ticket purchases at the Trenitalia point. Great idea!!! Jane handed the folks there our list of required tickets, including the Leonardo Express fares, and we were set for the entire trip. No fussin'! Great way to handle Trenitalia's inability to process North American credit cards. Even the lady at the wicket was impressed! We relaxed the 1/2 hr ride into Stazione Termini and made plans for getting to our accommodation.

We took some time to get our feet on the ground after a smooth check-in at Hotel Piemonte. This would be our homebase for the next four nights. The day managers were so helpful, providing us with info on attractions, a great breakfast every morning, and where to buy what we needed. For example, we located a grocer and first day provisions just around the corner with Max's directions. We then took on our new neighborhood on foot, going walkabout...with several sites in mind.

First stop was Piazza Repubblica, and it's unique fountain (especially the stone lady that must have the cleanest butt in Rome). We stopped at Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli. Designed by Michelangelo, it was built inside the Roman walls of the Baths of Diocletian and although less than splendid outside, it was impressive inside. Further, the piazza is bordered by palaces and the starting place for Via Nazionale, a major roman thoroughfare lined with shops and boutiques, selling food, clothing and leather goods.

On our evening stroll we continued on to Piazza del Quirinale. An open square, with fountains, a monument and a great sunset view of St. Peter's Basilica on the horizon. You can find, as in many of Rome's piazza, an obelisk, fountain and Quirinale Palace, home to the president of Italy.

From there we navigated the narrow streets (eyeing several of the key brown signs and following tourist flow) to Trevi Fountain, where we gathered with the multitudes to sit in front of this massive fountain, shameless in it's ornate baroque statues. Jane and I both flicked coins over our shoulders into the fountain, as its part of the mythology that those who do will return to Rome again. Rome loves its fountains, and this was the first of many we would experience during our stay.

Last stop for the evening was at the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) and the streets below. Once again, the district was Saturday night busy as throngs of tourists kept vendors busy purchasing roses, knick knacks of all sort, or just parking on the steps for wine or gelato! The steps can be found in the shadow of Trinità dei Monti, a famous church perched above the commotion. Below is Fontana della Barcaccia, a boat like fountain surrounded by artists, sellers and photo snapping tourists. We visited this area twice, and on both occasions you couldn't help but think that it is people watching other people that draws the crowds. Mitch Podolak would have called them "eventers". The Piazza di Spagna is one of the most popular meeting places in Rome

With that orientation under our belts, we took a moonlit saunter, with warm roman skies, back to our room and enjoyed wine, bread and cheese before turning in. It couldn't have gone any better!