WALK, CABLE CAR, FERRY, TAXI, TRAIN and another TAXI.
Here was our schedule:
Our bags were put out at 6:30AM. The hotel whisked them away for us to then retrieve them in front of the ferry at the port.
We then left the hotel around 7AM to walk about 15 minutes through Capri to the cable car (Funiculare) off the Piazza Umberto. We bought our tickets and traveled down down down to the port (and there was only one other passenger sharing the cable car with us this time, which was quite nice).
Next leg: the ferry. The ferry from Capri to Naples is roughly 40 minutes. We met our porter who put our bags on the ferry.
It's a lovely ride - smooth, comfortable with absolutely breathtaking views of Capri, Sorrento and Naples. They offer waters, coffee, snacks and drinks if you are interested.
THEN we disembarked the ferry and caught a taxi to the Naples Train station.
Naples is not anywhere I would ever want to spend ANY time. Lots of dirt, grime and graffiti. We were happy when our train bound for Rome arrived, and we boarded.
Boarding trains in Italy is not our favorite thing to do btw. It's kind of a madhouse race to your specific car, then you have to lug all of your bags up a few steps, down an aisle, then hoist them above your seats.
The Naples train ticket office:
We jumped on the train (which was a challenge since we had 3 bags), and the train left on time. It's a bit over an hour ride and very pleasant.
Upon arrival in Rome, we got off and walked to another queue again and hailed a taxi and in 10-15 minutes arrived at our hotel.
Happy to be on the final leg of our journey today:
We're here for the night. About to do a bit of shopping on Via Condotti (:0)), and this evening we are having a drink at our family's favorite spot - Harry's Bar. Then we're grabbing dinner at La Pentolaccia (another family favorite).
12 noon flight back home tomorrow...
Our hotel in Rome (Hotel Barocco):
Odd little sitting area but it was a nice spot for wifi and blogging:
A bit of Via Condotti shopping RETAIL THERAPY time - decisions decisions:
Many items are markedly less expensive abroad such as these bags:
We then walked to La Renascente to get our VAT tax dealt with before heading back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
La Renascente is a huge department store in Rome with several locations (one right by Via Condotti). It is incredible and carries every major luxury brand you can think of - without the crowds around the Spanish Steps area. It's comfortable with lots of seating and restrooms etc.
Cocktail time at Harry's Bar which was a short walk from our hotel and CAIPIROSKA'S for TWO please:
Happy campers:
Harry's Bar is on a bustling area in Rome on Via Vittorio Veneto. It's a great spot for people watching and having a drink. It's not inexpensive, but it's a very fun spot, and on a mild warm evening it's perfect!
We walked by the hotel (Rose Garden) we stayed in 4 years ago with our "kids" (lots of memories):
Back to walking to the restaurant:
A wine they recommended and it did not disappoint:
We ended up sitting with a mother and her daughter (who's about to begin medical school) who were from Atlanta. The daughter went to Walton High School, and the two of them were about to take a 6-day cooking class. They were such fun dinner companions!
Fab tuna tartare:
We then walked around a bit more - wanted to have a drink at Hotel Eden's rooftop but you have to have long pants on, and in the 88 degree weather, Doug was in shorts. SO - easy plan B:
Been a blissful memorable trip of a lifetime...
CAIO!
Monday:
Changing out our Euros before our noon flight:
***We made it home last night! LONGGGGG flight from Rome to Atlanta, but all good. Got some sleep, and now it's back to reality: laundry, grocery, errands etc.
Happy to be in my own bed and with my 3 dogs though. And now I'll have memories from Greece and Italy to last a lifetime!
