It all started with a plan...
The Bolso Babes have been friends for a really long time. More than half our lives. But the four of us are only half of our barkada. Altogether, we are the LLFs - Life Long Friends. The term LLFs came about when we were all sitting around celebrating - either another birthday, wedding, or christening - and we realized how long we’ve been a part of each other’s lives. We truly are and forever will be life-long friends.
I had a grand plan of the LLFs going on a girls only Vegas trip for the celebration of our “thirty-fab” year. But everyone’s busy schedules and family obligations made it difficult for all of us to get together - and only two of the original eight were free to go.
So LLFs became K & K, and partying in Vegas became galavanting around Europa! (Well, 2 countries anyway.)
Meeting in Madrid
Karisia and I decided to meet up in Madrid since she was already there. We had about a day and a half in Madrid before we officially started our adventure in Rome.
Rome, Italy
We arrived at one of the smaller airports (Ciampini) outside of Rome pretty late and we were extremely lucky that all cabs leaving that airport had a flat rate fare system to anywhere in the city. Otherwise we would’ve been taken for an unpleasant ride with the otherwise “shady” cab drivers Rome is notorious for.
Hotel del Corso
We stayed at Hotel del Corso on Via del Corso - great location because it was smack in the middle of everything. You could walk to most of the major tourist attractions and the underground station was a couple of blocks away. It was also very safe to walk home at night.
The rooms are tiny and the walls are pretty thin, so if you’re a light sleeper you might consider another hotel. On our first night, the front desk had to give us a call to tone down our gabfest because the people in the next room could hear our laughter. The hotel needs a bit of refurbishing but the staff is very accommodating and friendly.
The Vatican
We spent most of our first day at the Vatican - St. Peter’s, the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel. There was a lot to see and we didn’t want to feel rushed, so we took our time and set the whole day aside just for the Vatican. We also discovered that the currency exchange at the Vatican post office doesn’t charge a service fee when you change your foreign currency. Way better rates than the airport or hotel!
Fontana di Trevi, Vino, Gelateria San Crispino
On our way to dinner, Karisia and I decided to make a quick stop at the Trevi Fountain for some pictures. There were so many other tourists with the same idea, it was impossible to get a good shot.
We were starving and very thirsty by the time we got to this quaint, family-run restaurant a few minutes walk from the fountain. It was then that we discovered K & K are NOT wine snobs and are just fine with house wine by the litre - or two!
Hop On- Hop Off!
We had one full day left and we agreed that the best way to make the most of it was to take a bus tour. This was perfect for us because the bus stopped at all the must-sees, and we were free to get off and explore the sights, then get on the next bus that came along.
We powered through the day and saw the Coloseum, La Bocca della Verità , Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Castel d’Angelo, Piazza di Popolo...and a few churches in between.
Rome was packed. There were tourists and queues everywhere. I had a fantasy of myself sitting smack in the middle of the Spanish Steps posing for a solo photo, but the crowds were like this EVERYDAY!
Arrivederci, Roma!
Our last dinner in Rome was at an osteria just around the corner from our hotel - ‘Gusto (Piazza Augusto Imperatore 9, 00186 Rome). Having passed it everyday, we took it as a good sign that it was always full of locals. And sadly, I cannot remember what we ordered (Blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol...), but I do know it was a lovely dinner to cap off our Roman adventure!
Karisia and I had time for a short stroll along Via del Corso and Piazza di Popolo before heading to the train station. Rome almost ended on a sour note when we had to pay more euros than expected for the ride to the Termini - our shady cab driver literally took us for an unsolicited ride around the city! Grrr! But we were way too excited to get to Firenze to care!
- Kit G. Gordon
