Part of an outstanding vacation is going to and from the location of your vacation or at least that is what I believe.  This believeth is not share by my bride Carmen.  She wants to be at the vacation site instantly. This cruise started at 11:30 am.  We had got up and showered, had coffee, got into the car and drove over to our daughter's house and pickup Sean our son-in-law.  Sean drove us over to Mike and Cindy home and we picked them up.  We got to the Airport a little after 12:00pm and process thru while Sean took the car back to her house.  We had pre-printed boarding passes for U.S. Airways so we only had to check our bags and go to the departure gate. 

Our plane was on time and took off at 2:50 pm for Philadelphia, PA there we would change planes and head for Rome, Italy.  Everything when as scheduled and after a long flight we arrived in Rome at 8:40 am the next morning.  This is the first time in a long time the planes were not packed.  There were at least 1/3 of the seats open between Norfolk and Philadelphia and a large number not occupied on the Philadelphia to Rome flight.  Carmen was able to lay on three seats as we cross the Atlantic.  Getting our bags and finding the group transportation to the Hotel Visconti Palace took about one hour and 30 minutes, again - if you can make your own arrangements it is usually faster and easier.  The trip to the hotel took another hour, but it was included in our cruise package.

After getting our room which took about another hour, we took a little rest, changed clothes and got ready to see some of Rome.  Mike, Cindy, Carmen and I started toward the North Gate at about 3 PM.  The day was not that nice, light rain on and off.  But, we were not going to see much of Rome for our window in the Visconti Palace.  We walked over to the North Gate which was about 5 or 6 blocks from the hotel.  This is the area we were told that Martin Luther say when he came to Rome.  They have a few nice sidewalk cafes and you can stop for a cup of coffee or a draft beer and enjoy the site. But the weather was not helping us very much.

Just a few steps from the square is the Hotel Russie,  we wanted to stay in this hotel but could not get the dates we needed for this cruise (I started trying for reservation to late).  If one could, one should stay in the Hotel Russie once.  It is a beautiful place and a very good location.  Walking pass the Hotel Russie for about 5 or 6 blocks you get to the Spanish Steps.  I kept thinking it was only a couple of blocks between most of the sites but it turn out to be several blocks.  A couple of blocks south of the Spanish Steps is a very nice square with several restaurants and by the time we got there it was raining quite a bit.  So, we went into a restaurant and got a pizza and beer.  It was a very nice place, but I forgot the name, sorry...  After and hour or so, we headed back out for the sites of Rome.

We walked to Trevi Fountain and by that time it was raining more on than off.  What a beautiful piece of art.... 

It did not look that pretty when we got there, with the rain and the dark skys, but it still was breath taking.  I still believe, Rome is the most beautiful city in the world.  After taking a few pictures we headed off to the Patheon.  Mike was very impressed with the Patheon, he believes it was the most fantastic site he seen in Rome.  By the time we were thru seeing the Patheon, it was raining very hard....  We needed a cab, but could not find one.  After an hour walk in the rain we arrival back at the Visconti Palace.  Time for bed.....

The next morning we got up to a very good breakfast at the Visconti Palace.  Mike and Cindy was going to take a tour of the Vatican and the Sixteen Chapel and Carmen and I had did that tour the last time we were in Rome.  So Mike and Cindy headed off with our good friend, Pilar Jackson for their tour.  Carmen and I set out walking around Rome.  It was a very nice day and we walked to the Vatican, St Peter's Square, and seen part of the Pope's visit with the people on Wednesday.  We did some additional shopping and went over to the USO in Rome at Via Vespasiano 44.  They have clean restrooms, free internet, coffee and cookies.  Every one should stop bye if the have the time. Their telephone number is 011.39.06.39727419 from the states and they can set you up with hotels, tours and numerous other items for Rome.

From the USO we walked over to a little farmer's market, Carmen was looking for a special fruit and I just wanted to take another break and have a coke..  Carmen did not find her fruit but I enjoyed a coke.....  We headed back to the hotel and took a little nap. 

That evening, Mike, Cindy, Carmen and I walked around Rome and had a very nice diner.  We enjoyed Rome together and wish we had more time to see additional sites.

The next morning we packed up our bags and took them down stair to be loaded on the bus for the Carnival Freedom.  After a good breakfast, we had a couple of hours before the bus would take us to the ship.  So, we did a little more shopping.  An of course, there were lines for standing and waiting for the buses.  But after getting on the bus around noon, we head to the ship.  We arrived at the Carnival Freedom it was extremely easy. no lines and no waiting for the Carnival Freedom to let us onboard.

Now, the crossing gang was together...... Cindy's friends from childhood, Tim and Diana Willoughby; our friends for the past 44 years, Charles and Merche Richardson; our friend from Hampton VA, Maria Pilar Jackson.  The Richardsons had taken the previous cruise through-out the Mediterranean on the Freedom.  Tim and Diana flew in the same day of the ship departure.

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