offerendum

Here my new Trip Report about my recent journey through Italy. Stations with overnight stays were:
Rome
Florence
Ladispoli
Bologna
Venice
Bergamo

As food is important in Italy it was also on our journey. We experienced 21 stars in 13 restaurants but had also nice dinners at non-starred restaurants. But most important we experienced many cultural highlights and of course a lot of great gelato…...

offerendum

Flying to Rome from DUS is not that funny as the only reasonable option is Eurowings abd they donīt even offer BIZ on this route (which is best option with more than 2 pieces of laguage). In the end I found an discounted Basis fare which was even after booking first row seat and laguage cheaper than Smart.
Fortunately the airport was empty with no waiting time at check-in and security. So we did a short stop at Hugo Junkers lounge. Offers improved since my last visit, the now offer scrambled eggs. OK, they tasted not very good, but at least they are available….






They now have "art" at the restrooms, first time I saw such graffiti at a lounge.

Weather during the flight was clear so we had some good views:





Finally:

At the airport I learned someone seems to know more:

Perhaps I should call?
Also I learned why you should never buy the cheapest bag:

Glad it wasnīt mine….
I pre-ordered a car (S-Class) via Blacklane, the driver waited for us at the exit. Also there waited many scammers who try to guide you to their "taxi". Surprisingly it was quite a long way to the parking space. More surprisingly our 2 bags didnīt fit in the S-Class trunk, which is really a joke. After the Driver dinined to put one bag in the passenger footwell and already called someone I used some force and got the third bag in. Not so good for the bag but we were ready to start….
Ride to our hotel was comfortable with a good equiped car. Trafic was heavy as expected.

stu1985

Gorgeous views on the way to Rome!

offerendum

Indeed and much more impressive in real. Always hard to take pictures from a plane.

eightblack

We are about to set off on a family holiday to Florence shortly so I am very interested to read about your exploits and dining experience there. I intend to eat my body weight in cheese and pasta and as much gelato as the other side of my stomach can handle.

offerendum

Good idea! Only 2 days in Florence this time but at least one good dinner (Pizza). Will need some time before I "reach" Florence.

offerendum

After considering different options I booked finally Hotel Eden in Rome. The whole mess with their riff-raff owner came up during our stay, so I woudnīt book it again for this reason. This said I now slide it out and only report about the hotel.
From outside:

We were greated very friendly at the door and escorted to the front desk. Were were introduced to the manager on charge and the concierge, definitively an arrival above average. Our room wasnīt ready so we were invited to some drinks during the short waiting time.
The lobby of the Eden is stunning, even at high standards. Itīs divided in 3 main-parts.









After a short wait we were escorted to our Junior Suite 101 on the ground Level.

It was located in a side tract which you can see here.

The room had a special layout as you can see here.

Unfortunately no place to hang up your coat in the corridor.

While the room wasnīt big it was furnished very well with high quality materials.


Perhaps the closets were a little small for my clothes.....

Bathroom was also very nice, even if it had a little few storage pace and only one sink.



OK, when you turned on the towell heater too much water came out....

My biggest concern was the location of the room. During the morning it was very loud as the trash was collected in front of the room. During the day sightseeing busses drove in front of it and people could look straigt in your window. Not so great!

offerendum

Breakfast was served on top floor with stunning views:





Guest one morning:

Choices were not extensive, but everything of high Quality (hot choices with eggs, sausages, grilled tomatoes etc. not shown.


Made to order dishes were great, especially the gelato they served with the waffles and on request with their Pancakes.

Perfect was the service at breakfast, you never waited for new cuttlery and plates were removed immediately.

Romanianflyer

If I'm correct I remember using that lounge ones in the days of Air Berlin 3 or so years back.

Massively overcrowded back then, but they did have lots and lots of mini Wiener schnitzels at that time which was reason enough for me to like it

looking forward to read the rest and see all the pictures of the food! Last time I visited Italy (Bergamo) I had fabulous food as well in local taverns, just thinking about the buffalo ravioli and I get the urge to book a ticket back.

offerendum

One evenimg we did room service, quality was OK. Prices of course high. 28 € for a Pizza arenīt too cheap…..




Will separately report about the Michelin-starred restaurant.All in all a hotel with great service and good rooms. Perhaps a little bit overpriced (consider even with guaranteed upgrade via Diamond Club 1000 € per night for a JS without view) but nice. Someway sad the are owned by rat pack.

offerendum

Yeah, Air Berlin used it for the Schengen-flights. It changed a lot during the last years, they now even have a second level which they open at peak-times. Never visited at dinner-time so far, Always fly in the morning at Schengen area.

DanielW

Three weeks in Bella Italia sounds very appealling. Looking forward to Venice too.

I guess this is regarding the controversy over the Sultan of Brunei?

offerendum

Yes, thatīs the reason. Feels not good to me to give my money to such a person.

offerendum

We decided to do a little walk and started at the Spanish Steps. But first a quick visit to Trinitā dei Monti.



The view from above:


The Spanish Steps - who makes a picture without peoples get a free Gelato.

The famous Fontana della Barcaccia

offerendum

We really wanted out first Gelato but we passed SS Ambrogio E. Carlo so we went in: