Today we're off for Pompeii but first, some ruins in ancient Paestrum (Campania region). This place is south of Pompeii and a great place to start our Smart Car adventures. Italy has toll roads and some do not allow you to pay with cash or credit cards, so to avoid the need for a pre-paid toll device, we tell the GPS to avoid toll roads. IT DID! Too a lot longer to get to Paestrum (about 4 hours instead of 2.5). We had a great back way drive that included ...

Another early morning. Mom walked with me, after 'the walk', feel like Bilbo sans eagles. We semi-journeyed again for the rental car, the terminal station is not that far, when you walk straight there! We get to the garage and sure enough, got my requested SMART car! So tiny, we'll fit right in. First off, this thing is cool, roomy enough for 2 plus a little bit of stuff. We changed the plans a little, today was supposed to be ruins up north of th...

Started the day early by going to a local hotel to catch a transfer van taking us to the tour bus for a tour of classical Rome. Started with Trevi Fountain and then the Pantheon. A little different than our first, spontaneous visit. This time it was early. Trevi Fountain was actually closed while they cleaned out all the money. There is a saying/thought/superstition thingy that if you throw a coins into the fountain, back facing the fountain using your rig...

Mom took me to Mom Church, you know, the Flea Market! On Sundays in our Neighborhood, there is a flea market, actually, just 1 street over from the apartment. There were vendors for blocks and blocks and the people, holy cow! Just like the states, lots of crap, a few good finds, but of course you have search, and oh did Mom search! We had fun though. After the flea, we walked around the neighborhood. Trastevere (pronounced Trest-Avery) is a very coo...

After over-doing it on Friday, we woke up late Saturday morning (maybe early afternoon, noonish), and got a late start. Decided to leave the apartment a different way which only took us the long way to the same place we've been going out of our neighborhood. Started to drizzle, then rain a little, finally a little more. Dad had the genius idea of getting ponchos instead of umbrellas. Paid 6 euro (about 8-9 dollars) for 2 and they tore as we were removing th...