Along the autostrada in Italy there is not really a need to worry about running out of fuel or chances to eat. In just 360.3 KM (223.88 miles),Rome to Bologna, there are 15 rest areas that run every 30-50k. They all have fuel but the amenities vary. Some have truck stops with showers, some camping and some motels. The available food is anywhere from just a bar (which over there means cafe) to a full self serve gourmet dining! I seem to remember someone recently saying that she was told …”no one cooks gourmet at home”. The Italians even have it at their rest stops!

The one that I liked the best is called Chef Express. When you first walked in, it opens up to a very large and open space with just about anything you could possibly need. Yes, the picture above is correct. You could buy the meats and cheeses, breads, wine and chocolate that you need. For those that come hungry take your pick. Most stations offer a bar, where you can order coffee and a pastry or sandwich and some fruit. Or, walk over to the restaurant. At the chef express there were foods that we may consider gourmet but I found out is simply normal there. A capresse salad, fruit and cheese plates, meat plates, pasta dishes, grilled dishes and amazing deserts. I was only disappointed that there was not a gelateria in there too. When I asked for gelato, I was directed to a freezer case with ice cream bars in it.

One thing that I was even more interested in was the baby corner. All Mom’s listen up. There are a variety of FREE baby foods along with a microwave and bottle warmer. When is the last time you saw anything like this when you went to the gas station?Add in all of the stuff that a tourist could want to take home and voila ci si va! There you go.

Yes, you can find a McDonald’s (if you look really hard) however, where else can you get a pizza and fries!? This is an actual picture that I took in case someone didn’t believe me. And, there are grilled veggies on it. I think that this one was at an AutoGrill cafe. Very nice choice and everything you need there as well.

Most places have private internet that you can purchase for an hour or more to use your own computer as well as an internet point where you can check out the area. Just remember when you are in the area that you need to  purchase you food  and internet at the cashier before you can get it. I of course stood in line for a few minutes only to find out that I need to go pay for it first. Luckily, the gentleman was really nice and had already started grilling my sandwich before I came back. This is the sentiment that I experienced everywhere I was in Italy. I have to wonder if I just got lucky?

As my adventures in Italy did not go the gluten free way that I had planned, I dove in to a fantastic pizza sitting in the outdoor patio of a alley restaurant. I love the fact that even the alleys make for great used space and not just urinals. What was also pretty neat is that more than one of the places that we dined had dedicated pages (not a page) for different pizzas. Fried calamari and anchovies anyone?

I stuck with something pretty safe. Procuitto e funghi (mushrooms). The excitement of my first pizza in Italy was almost more than I could take but with one bite I was convinced that it was worth it. Delicate thin crisp crust, fresh mozzarella, bold tomato. Definitely full of flavor without any one taste overpowering the other.  The only thing I had to do was not gorge myself so I asked for a box to take away the slices I couldn’t (shoudn’t) finish in one sitting. After all, one must leave room for gelato.

I showed the picture to my uncle who thought it looked terrible. Come on, it’s not Papa Johns! I suppose since it wasn’t perfectly round and cooked by electric then some people would not understand. He just needs a taste.

I thought that driving on the highways in Italy was like taking life in your own hands until we finally got to Rome. I had been to Rome before and already knew that most of us around here couldn’t survive however, I had never been in our own vehicle there. Our compact car, a Lancia(pronounced Lahn ch e ah), was perfect in the city if not a little under-powered on the highway. Small is good. Compact, good. If you look at the picture on the right, you will notice that these little cars will park anywhere that they can find a space. And why not, right? Can you imagine if someone did that in Cincinnati? I can see the tow truck coming now! We saw scooters and motorcycles everywhere also. Why not when the streets are so narrow and parking is so difficult. On one of my walks, I even saw a quad! Are you kidding me? I guess that if you can ride it, it’s legal. One of the vehicles that I saw around Italy was a three wheel truck. Yes, I said truck.

The size of the vehicles is not the only issue. While my husband was concentrating on driving (luckily he is an amazing driver both of vehicles and motorcross bikes), I was trying to read a map and navigate. Ok, note to all: objects on the map of Rome are not as far apart as they appear! By the time that I found one thing on the map, looked down and then back up, we were already way past where we were going. It doesn’t help when your step daughter tells you the wrong side of the river but that’s what taxi’s are for. ( I love you dear) We finally just parked the car and hailed a tassi. I was told by more than one person that actually live there that they do not drive in Rome! The metro system, taxi’s, buses and more make it much easier so learn from our mistake. Please.

 Notice scooter, quad, motorcycle       This IS a two way street                                                                                                                           These Smart Cars are perfect!

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Hello World!

I got one post in on part of the first day of Italy. Right now I am actually in Dallas, TX back at work. I was up at 4:00am their time getting in some stretch time. OK, so that’s the time I finally told myself to just get up already! Which time zone am I on? I was up at 1:00 am the first time, which would be about 8:00am Italy, like “let’s go”. No, No, No. I still have to fly to the NYC today. That’s going to be a long flight. I’m sure that I will crash at some point and my feet hurt. NEVER wear your heels without something on your feet unless you are just a glutten for punishment.

Anyway, I digress. I can’t wait to share more with you about the Italy adventure. Thanks to my husband for going with me and taking me on an incredible adventure that I would have never experienced otherwise since no one wants ME driving over there. We are so going back to those Alps!

Go Armstrong, go. I certainly could never do it.

As usual, all of the plans that we had made for our trip to Italy changed as quickly as any of them were made. To Marco in Rome, I sincerely apologize!

I had found what would have been the best place to stay and didn’t get to see it  at all. If you are ever staying in Rome (Italy), please check out the Gallo House. Marco was great emailing me back and forth trying to make the reservations. Unfortunately, we had to fly in to Venice, Italy because we missed the flight to Rome. Wound up not getting to Rome for a couple of days and only stayed one night versus the 2-3 we had planned on.

Flying in to Venice was absolutely amazing though. I have always wanted to go there but it just never happened. There was of course no reason to be right there and not go onto the island. So, here’s the deal. You cannot drive a car on the island. Your options are to buy a single bus pass for 3euros, a public water taxi for 12euro’s or a private one for 98euro’s! One can also purchase a pass that allows unlimited use on the buses and water boats for the amount of time allocated. 12 hours to one week. We chose the 12 hours for 18euros each and then found a hotel in the city on Priceline. They really came through this time. It took quite a while (probably because we just flew 9 hours and were dragging all of our things up and down the stairs over each of the water ways) to find an internet point. Once we did, we found a hotel and dumped off our stuff.

Venice: Hotel 65euro (total with taxes and service charges and breakfast!), 36euros for transportation for 12 hours, 34euros for a really nice dinner with wine, 8euros to use the computer to arrange hotel and car rental: priceless. Ha! The guy in front of me at the hotel paid 95euros so I was still up 22euros which I probably spent on gelato and coffees. The city is much more expensive that staying farther out as we would soon discover.

Car rental for one week with all taxes and insurance: 381euros.

We picked picked up the car and set off south along the beach toward Fano. The drive on the highway was out first experience with driving in Italy and luckily for all involved, I was NOT driving! Custom here is to honk and curse out the person behind you who dares get too close or honks for the driver ahead to move. It’s standard custom in Italy to drive up as close as possible to the car in front of you that you want to pass and flash your lights if necessary. It’s not meant to be rude (or is it) however, just a friendly get your crap out of my way! And, what is the speed limit anyway? I wish that I knew so that I could tell you for when you are brave enough to drive there. No worries. Just move over and don’t be insulted when someone wants to pass you.

Life is great. I get paid to stay at hotels for a living.

If only it was to review the hotel and more importantly the hotel’s spa and food! I do not have to fly today so here I am at the hotel all day. The beach is within site (only because I know it’s there) and I can see downtown from here. Both of these things would require renting a car or a taxi and more stre

ngth than I have. There is a beautiful pool right here but I really don’t want to hang out in the sun. It’s too hot.

This morning around 10am, I ventured out. When I went outside at first, it was really nice. Not like what I expected being here in Florida. So, I sat outside and read the paper. Five minutes later when I was actually bored, I went to the g

ym and managed almost half and hour from myself in combined cardio and strength training. I like to work out with my husband more I guess because I seem to have more motivation then. Perhaps I would actually go to the pool since it was so nice when I first went outside? Yeah, right! It was then 11:30am and the heat that I expected the first time slapped me in the face. Back to the room.

Computer, stretch, computer, tv, computer, nap. I’m bored and not accomplishing anything.

So, I just went for another walk and it was really nice outside again. Just overcast enough to cool it off a bit. Ooh! Hammocks. My husband loves hammocks so I’ll give one a try. I am SO glad that no one else was out there because I am seriously hammock challenged. Once I could make it up and on t

he thing I had a hard time getting comfortable. If you can get on it, get comfortable and not swing right back off (yes, I almost did it) then I could see the appeal. Getting off was another story. For his health and mine I will suggest to J (the husband) that we don’t try to both get on one at the same time.

Now what?

 A big debate about the bills that are in front of Obama and the parties trying to be passed. I am trying to listen to become more informed and yet stay out of it since I don’t know what’s going on. Where have I been with my head in the sand? Too much WordGirl I guess!

What do you know that I should??