Singinalot's 2023 Land Trip to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Rome, Amalfi Coast, & Florence

[Guest]

We awoke the morning of August 9 with confirmation of a 6:20am pickup time by our shuttle service. The same one I had booked via Get Your Guide. The night before, so confirmed via What’s App.

 

we waited outside of hotel reception and watched the balloons once again overhead

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

6:20 came and went

6:25 i messaged them

6:30 they asked me for confirmation number

6:33 they said someone would be there in 10 minutes

 

This stressed me out! The driver showed up about 6:45. I asked him if he was here for crystal because the van was not marked with our company’s name. He did not speak english so Nate and I opted to hop in the van and ask everyone if they were going to NAV. Yes, we were assured. We made two more stops! Can you imagine the steam coming out of my head? lol. 

Our flight was booked with Turkish airlines for 8:45am.

I had booked in April for $764 total for Nate and I NAV>IST>FCO.

 

Alas, all was well and we did have enough time at the airport. I would advise anyone who stresses about this stuff to book a private transfer for at least the trip to the airport. lol

 

forgot this one earlier, but our final sunrise from our room 🥰

 

 

[Guest]

Again, there’s only 1 gate at NAV so it was quite loud for first thing in the morning, but at least we were all there for the same thing. 

 

 

 

 

[BonTexasNY]

Glad you made it to the airport on time.

 

Will you be highlighting any adventures in NYC?

 

Most importantly, I hope Idalia stays away from your home in FL.

[Guest]

23 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

Glad you made it to the airport on time.

 

Will you be highlighting any adventures in NYC?

 

Most importantly, I hope Idalia stays away from your home in FL.

 

this week has definitely been interesting! thus my lack of posts yesterday! I do plan to cover a couple of these NYC days…probably on our RCCL thread 🙂

my stay here has been extended since TPA is closed. Nate has secured the house as much as possible but we’re expecting 5’ of water in our bottom level

[bobmacliberty]

2 hours ago, singinalot said:

 

this week has definitely been interesting! thus my lack of posts yesterday! I do plan to cover a couple of these NYC days…probably on our RCCL thread 🙂

my stay here has been extended since TPA is closed. Nate has secured the house as much as possible but we’re expecting 5’ of water in our bottom level

 

I hope that Nate and your house stay safe.  

[Guest]

Our flight from NAV to IST was quick and easy! We had a short layover in IST but headed for the lounge anyway.

 

Nate grabbed a quick snack while I sipped on a coke zero.

 

love the ceilings and decor here

 

 

[Guest]

The last time we were in Rome was fall 2019 when we did a Royal cruise. 

 

I looked up the transfer service I had used back then, but their price had increased pretty significantly. So let the transfer service research begin!

Edited August 29, 2023 by singinalot

[Guest]

I settled on Rome Shuttle Limousine 

https://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com

 

I agreed to pay 115euros cash for round trip transfer from FCO to our hotel.

 

Now, where would we stay?

 

[NHProud]

@singinalotI know you have more important things on your mind like your house flooding however if you are still in NY and tennis interests you then head over to Queens for the US Open.   

[Coralc]

10 hours ago, singinalot said:

I settled on Rome Shuttle Limousine 

https://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com

 

I agreed to pay 115euros cash for round trip transfer from FCO to our hotel.

 

Now, where would we stay?

 

Albrego del Senato? 🤔

[#55worktoplay]

@singinalot  I know the last thing on your mind is CC but just wanted to let you know that you are being thought of. 

[Guest]

Thank you everyone for checking in! More trip details to come soon. All is well from the hurricane.

[Guest]

On 8/30/2023 at 2:51 AM, Coralc said:

Albrego del Senato? 🤔

 

You are correct! I could not resist booking this scenic and lovely hotel once again.

[Guest]

Our driver was waiting promptly for us upon arrival. One thing I love about the FCO arrival process is that you cannot miss the drivers upon exit. 

 

 

we have arrived

 

 

 

 

 

in love with the stairs in the hotel

[Guest]

For this stay, we were in room 311, a pretty basic room, which you guessed it…I booked with points.

 

Albergo Del Senato has spectacular customer service, but to top that off, the location can’t be beat.

That’s right, the hotel is directly next to the Pantheon and in the best piazza in Rome in my opinion.

 

 

 

below you can see our hotel to the left on the picture: creamy peach building in the middle 

 

after dropping our bags, we headed out for food. gimme italian and gimme italian now.

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by singinalot

[Guest]

The change of scenery, language, food from Turkey was shocking to the system but we were so excited to be back in our favorite city in the world.

 

 

first of many prosciutto & bufala mozzarella 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

Love the Albergo del Senato, especially the rooftop deck at sunset. Nice breakfast too. We'll be booking it for the 4th time next September!

Norris

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

Love the Albergo del Senato, especially the rooftop deck at sunset. Nice breakfast too. We'll be booking it for the 4th time next September!

Norris

 

stay tuned for that incredible sunset! So thankful you told me about this hotel so many years ago in one of your reviews. Our second stay here and I’m sure there will be one again.

[Guest]

After our leisurely meal and people watching, we headed in the direction of the Trevi Fountain

 

 

 

 

 

there is never not a crowd

 

 

I will take some gelato for my troubles though

 

[Guest]

It’s funny, the gelateria we ate at https://maps.app.goo.gl/RwriN6UUqDnhADsH9?g_st=ic is not rated well, but to us it was delicious as it was our first of the trip. 🤤 

 

We finished our gelato and headed on, passing the spanish steps, and towards Piazza Del Popolo.

 

this fountain statue was so weird looking

 

 

I spy Piazza Del Popolo ahead

 

 

[Guest]

Piazza Del Popolo has fascinating history. 

 

 

• One of the most remarkable sights on the square of Piazza del Popolo is the 36-metre high Egyptian obelisk. The obelisk from 1300 BCE originally came from the Sun Temple of Heliopolis and was then taken to Rome by emperor Augustus to be displayed at the Circus Maximus. The obelisk was restored in 1589 and moved to this square by order of pope Sixtus V.

[Guest]

What better to do in a beautiful and historical piazza than sit with a glass of wine and enjoy?

 

 

 

[Guest]

I took this photo of Nate here in 2019

 

and August 9, 2023

[Bimmer09]

Whether you are in a massive square in Rome or a narrow street there is something worth photographing. I love the monuments and fountains but love the quiet narrow side streets just as much for their atmosphere and the "you don't see that back home!" moments.

Chilled wine, olives, sunglasses, people-watching, locals speaking Italian=perfection.

 

Norris