Actually, if I’m honest, I’m in Florence as I write this and this is where we will celebrate our family Christmas this year. It’s been another busy year, with quite a few surprises in it for me – and I’m not just talking about the extraordinary travel opportunities that have so very fortunately come my way. But more about that in the new year.
Rome was hectic – there is so very much to see and it seems to be busy all year round – but life is at a much more sedate pace here in Florence, with the added bonus of less crowds. We only arrived at lunchtime today and have already had a drink in a little wine bar we discovered last year and have had a leisurely stroll around the back streets. The girls are out shopping and our son is off exploring on his own, happy for the break from close family time, so I’m now taking the chance to put up my very last post for the year.
This post is just a few of the many photos I took in Rome, so I can share a little of the experience with you, dear readers. This is a fabulous city and December is an ideal time to visit. The days are chilly, but we had clear skies and sunshine – and far less crowds than in the summer. Rather than stay in the middle of the tourist area of the city, we stayed in a charming little apartment in the historic region of Trastavere. While still close to the city and all of the main attractions, Trastavere is a residential area with quiet streets, local shopping areas and friendly neighbours – offering visitors a more genuine taste of every day life in Rome. My son came home from his first foray into the local area commenting on how everyone was standing around in the street and chatting to each other and he expressed the opinion that they surely couldn’t all know each other. I soon set him straight on that – this area has families that have lived here for many generations, unlike our mobile population, so chances are that they do all know each other.
Staying in an apartment is a perfect accommodation solution to what can be an expensive holiday when travelling with the whole family and it’s one I’d recommend. An apartment offers more space for less money than a hotel room and gives you the option of preparing at least some of your meals at home, rather than buying a restaurant feed for the whole family three times a day. There are several online sites that offer this service and we stayed in an apartment sourced through Go With Oh. They offer online booking, a full range of photos and plans of their apartments and lots of choices in central locations around the world. Our apartment was charming, close to public transport and local shops (including a pasticceria that made me go weak at the knees) was spotlessly clean and had the necessaries to keep the kids happy – the all-important wifi. The owner couldn’t have been more helpful and was available promptly when we had a few minor issues with the hot water.
I’ll be taking a break now until after new year and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for your company, comments and time for the last year. I hope you all have happy and safe holidays and that you find the time to drop by this blog when I kick it off again in 2014.
Lambs’ Ears and Honey stayed in a Trastavere apartment as a guest of Go With Oh whilst in Rome.
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Merry Christmas Amanda, to you and your lovely family! I hope you all have a truly fabulous time! Look forward to chatting more in 2014! Oh, and your son’s comment made me feel blessed, we sat and stood around chatting yesterday with neighbours at not one, but TWO Christmas street parties! 🙂
Gorgeous photos … there’s nothing like a Christmas in Europe. Very envious.
Hi Amanda, thankyou for sharing those photo’s. I just love Rome and Italy in general. Have a great holiday, wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2014.
Seasons greetings to you MsLambs Ears, Florence with the family sounds quite wonderful and I’m sure will be full of great times and memories. I’m having a civilized quiet occasion with Wendy and my two adult kiddies , I’m preparing a big spunky salad and my semi famous lime/ lemon roast chicken with a few glasses of Pinot. Then later in the evening we are catching up with a couple of friends to have a picnic on e beach…I’m off to central market now to buy up all the olives, cheese,and some nice bits of tasty protein.
Safe and happy journey to you all
What a glorious way to celebrate Christmas with the family. I hope you come back with the best memories – enough to last until next Christmas. 🙂
This looks like a charming way to spend Christmas! I’m glad it’s not too cold for you to enjoy exploring. I find it hard to imagine living in one place for generations- we’ve been here for over a decade and still doing know all the neighbors!
Hope you have a very lovey, very merry Christmas! X
Looking forward to the kickstart – Happy Holidays !
I love all your images. What a precious family time you’re having. I hope you all have the most wonderful Christmas xx
Oh Amanda, what fabulous images, Rome looks so beautiful. The weather looks fabulous too. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip. Merry Christmas!
Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday with the family, Amanda! Merry Christmas to you and yours 🙂
Amanda, what a beautiful way to spend Christmas! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely photographs! Safe travels xoxo
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your family. And *sigh* Rome…. lovely!
Thanks for the tips on where to stay near Rome (Trastavere) and the site ‘Go with Oh’. Funny to see that teenagers still like to Text, even when they are staying in such exotic places as Rome! Happy New Year, Amanda!!
Oh we love your photos!
Looks like you had a splendid trip& we couldn’t be happier for you!
Happy New Year from all of us at GowithOh! 🙂