NCteacherlovescruising

27 minutes ago, marazul said:

They are all catering to international guests. All of them will probably be a mixture of American, English and German breakfast with local pastries and cheeses added. Eggs, cold cuts, cheese. Both crispy and soggy bacon.  Coffee to order included.  Some will be more extensive than others. You will not go hungry. 

I’m sure I won’t!  I normally just have a protein bar on the go. I had thought about bringing them with me but I see there is no need unless we want them for snacks, but I doubt that we will need them at all. Maybe for the flight over. 

37 minutes ago, marazul said:

In Europe, it is usual to have breakfast included with the room. Check all your reservations and you will see that it is.

Yes, I just checked and Albergo del Senato does say buffet breakfast is included. Should we expect an American or Italian type breakfast?  Hotel Rialto and Hotel Continental just say breakfast included. Hotel Residence says breakfast on terrace included (I’m picturing coffee and sweets?), and Athen’s Gate Hotel says American buffet breakfast included. Thanks for pointing this out because I booked these so long ago I completely forgot. 

4 minutes ago, marazul said:

Do you mean a coffeemaker in the room? Most 3-star and up hotels would have them. The Albergo has them. However, you are also getting breakfast included with your room and you will get a much better cup of coffee there. 

No, I won’t use in room coffee makers.  I have this thing about the cleanliness of them. I didn’t realize breakfast was included with the room. Nice!  Whenever we stay in hotels here, they usually offer complimentary coffee. I didn’t know if that was a thing there as well. 

5 minutes ago, marazul said:

Any place in Italy will make a macchiato.  You can request chocolate powder on top of your macchiato or capuccino. Any coffee bar in Italy would be offended if you brought your own chocolate shaker. 

 

Italy is coffee heaven.

 

They generally serve Lavazza, Illy or Segafreddo coffee throughout Italy.  It will be nothing like you get at Starbucks (thank heavens!). Tazza d'Oro, one of the best coffee bars in Rome, is around the corner from the Albergo del Senato.  😉 

 

And never, ever order any type of coffee to drink with your lunch or dinner!!!!!  Espresso or macchiato after lunch or dinner is almost required.  Order capuccino, caffelatte, or any other type to have with breakfast or mid-morning snack.  Espresso or macchiato the rest of the day.

Thanks!  I would probably also like a caffe latte. I only drink one cup of coffee daily and it’s in the morning, usually black with dark chocolate collegian powder made at home. I was thinking about just making individual servings in baggies if most hotels would have coffee. 

I found what I like is called a caffé macchiato. Should I be able to order that anywhere in Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Naples and Venice?  Also, will most hotels have coffee available for guests I could just add my chocolate collegian powder to?  (Albergo del Senato in Rome, Hotel Residence Amalfi, Royal Continental in Naples, and the Hotel Rialto in Venice)

43 minutes ago, Choozin Croozin said:

Have fun. I hope you come back and give us an update on how it was. 

 
I can do that. 
 

13 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

 

Another enthusiastic vote for Roscioli.  I posted some information on this thread with photos (link).  Although it was only lunch, it was one of our most favorite meals.

 

Sounds like I should try to book it. 
 

13 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

We hired a private guide for two of our days in Rome back in 2022.  I asked her for a recommendation on restaurants and have compiled it here in my spreadsheet: link

 

We enjoyed a dinner at La Ciambella which is an easy walk from Albergo del Senato.

 

We also went to Da Enzo al 29 because it seemed to be universally on everyone's recommended list.  We really liked it and it was worth the wait (no reservations taken) but we took a short Uber ride from Albergo del Senato to get there so I don't know if that meets your "nearby" requirements.  

 

Waiting in line to eat dinner at da Enzo!

 

Thank you!  I don’t know that I’d want to spent my vacation waiting in line for dinner. I’d prefer getting a reservation at the place above. 

14 minutes ago, Choozin Croozin said:

This trip looks amazing. Have you done it yet? I am seriously considering do this trip as well, but we won't be in Rome until the end of Oct. and only have 1 1/2 days before a cruise. 

No. We will be doing it about this time next month. 

I just bought two pairs of white sandals to bring. One is Taos. Not dressy, but cuter than my Birkenstocks, but seem just as comfortable.  I also got a pair of wedge heels that I will probably wear to the nicer restaurant and for dinner on the ship. 

17 minutes ago, marazul said:

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina

Do they require reservations?

Can someone recommend something near Albergo del Senato, besides Armando Al Pantheon?  We still have one night open. Really two of you count the day trip to Tuscany, which is 7:30-7:30. I just assume we’ll be too tired to fuss with reservations and will most likely grab something on our way back to our hotel or near our drop off point. 

2 hours ago, slidergirl said:

OK.  You didn't like my Olu Kai idea...  That's OK.  I don't wear sandals, but, if you would go with silver look at Kork-Ease Mullica wedges.  I had a pair of their tan Myra Classics a while back to go with a long tank dress for an event.  As comfy as I could get in a pair of wedge sandals.  

Oh I've gone into Michelin 2 star joints with a casual shoe - no one screamed in horror 😉

The Kirk-ease wedges were cute but I didn’t see silver either. I really want white (or maybe pink) because it would match several dresses I’m taking. I am leaning toward just buying something in Rome. 

4 hours ago, kapper said:

Since you mentioned Birkenstocks, I'm going to suggest the Madrid big buckle sandals in white -

 

https://www.birkenstock.com/ca/madrid-big-buckle-natural-leather/madridbigbuckle-smoothleatherbigbuckle-naturalleather-0-eva-w_2.html#prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=White&sz=96

 

Not necessarily 'dressy', but cute to wear with a dress. I have the cream colored ones and love them.

Those are something I’d wear, but I don’t want something so similar to my other Birkenstocks. 

9 hours ago, SoBaycruiser said:

I have a super high arch and felt they provided nice support (for a sandal).

I do as well and have had issues with plantar fasciitis at times.

7 hours ago, nini said:

We used City Wonders also a few times and really liked them. Thanks!

Good to hear!  Thanks!!

13 minutes ago, nini said:

 

I just want to tell you that a few years ago, we did a food tour in Trastevere  and it was fantastic!!! Our guide was a sweetheart and we have fond memories of that tour.

Great to hear!  We are looking forward to it. 
 

12 minutes ago, nini said:

 

Pleas tell me about your day trip to Tuscany; vendor and details.

We are doing this day trip with City Wonders. https://citywonders.com/rome-tours/tuscany-day-trips-from-rome

1 hour ago, SoBaycruiser said:

I wanted something similar for our Spain Intensive.  I did bring walking shoes for long excursions but I wanted something that could fill both roles. I bought a pair of SAS sandals… on sale as they are expensive.  But they are comfortable and can be a little dressier.  I wanted something in the light blues, not white, but here is the type of shoe I’m talking about.

I did see something on that website with a little wedge. I’ve never worn that brand, not sure how much arch support they offer. I could try them in person. 

3 hours ago, slidergirl said:

Good luck with Armando!!  If you can't get it, may I suggest trying to get a ressie at Trattoria de Cesare a Casaletto.  It's not in the tourist section of town, but easy to get to - grab the #8 tram and go to the end at Casaletto.  Didn't have any pizza, but the pasta I had (the fried gnocchi in cacio e pepe sauce) was amazing as was the ivolontini (beef rolls in sauce).   It's a casual locals spot, very friendly. 

Thanks for the suggestion. My husband was able to get us reservations for our first night at 7. We figured the earlier the better because I’m sure we will be exhausted from the time change. We will probably eat, then go to bed. lol

I love pizza and pasta!  We currently have reservations one night at Ristorante Moma and are going to try to get reservations with Armanda Al Pantheon.  My husband has a reminder on his phone to try at 6 PM (our time tonight) when they open. Fingers crossed!  One night we will be doing a food/wine tour in Trastevere and another we will be on a day trip to Tuscany.  Should we book one more restaurant or leave one night open to just grab some pizza or just stop somewhere along the way?

7 hours ago, euro cruiser said:

Italian women wear spiked heels and walk all over the city.  Absent their experience (and maybe some gene that outsiders don't have) you can just walk slowly and pay attention to where you place your feet.  I wouldn't want to walk a mile like that, but a short stroll to a restaurant doesn't sound out of the realm of possibility.

I assumed as much.  We have reservations at Ristorante Moma.  I can't imagine walking into a restaurant with a Michelin Star and not having proper shoes on.  

15 hours ago, Girr said:

I understand you wanting something a little dressier, but I have to agree with slidergirl.  Cobblestones and uneven surfaces are very common, and I've seen too many people fall while walking in Europe - even just to dinner.   Twisting an ankle to me just isn't worth it to me.  Plus, in these larger cities I'm not sure how white your shoes will be after a day or two.

 

Also, I always advise never to take new shoes as I've found no matter how comfortable the shoes felt in the store, you're still prone to developing a blister(s).  I tend to take shoes that I've worn often, and then plan on throwing them away before coming home (that is after shopping for new ones in Italy).  

My every day comfortable white sandals are Birkenstocks. They are perfect for my job as a teacher, but I’d feel like they ruined my look for a nice dinner. In fact, I often wear heals (Danskos) even at work where I’m on my feet a lot when I wear a nicer dress. However, I realize that’s not the same as waking the streets of Rome. 

32 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

Those wedges are cute but I wouldn't recommend them for walking.

 

I went the casual route and bought a pair of Olu Kai Pehuea Li mesh sneakers.  Great for walking and the heel folds down if needed to turn into a smart-looking mule.  They were my shoes for the majority of my day walking and all of my goings to dinners.   I'm not a sandal person, so they were the best I saw.

I will be walking in comfortable shoes by day.  I would like something nicer for some of our dinners and would also use them on the ship.

55 minutes ago, edinburgher said:

It is Italy.  Stores selling beautiful  leather bags and footwear are literally everywhere and you will be spoiled for choice.

 

Wait until you get there to buy.😀

That's a great idea!

Would something like these work?

Are espadrilles still popular there?  Would they work well?

We went shopping today and we were successful in buying everything we still had on our list (clothing wise), except a pair of white sandals that are dressy enough for dinner in a nice dress, but comfortable enough to walk the streets of Rome (and other Italian cities) long enough to walk to a restaurant and maybe do a little shopping. Not something I’d tour in all day. I plan to bring my Brooks and Birkenstocks for major walking. 
 

Edited to add: good arch support is a must for my high arches.