Report from Italy: Day One

Terri Jo Lennox, our president, is currently overseas soaking in the sights and sounds of Italy! Keep up with her adventures here and read along as she continues on to France next week!

December 1st 2011

Rome is amazing!  No matter how many times I have been here it still takes my breath away!  The beautiful buildings, the architecture, museums, ruins - all the smells, noise, motorbikes speeding everywhere - it is just so alive!  I can hardly wait to get out on the streets and live it once more!

I am staying at the Via Veneto for the one night; a glamourous, stylish and modern hotel (less than 3 years old) but with old world charm and immpecable service.  Located in an excellent area within walking distance of almost all the major sites - Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese Park, Harry's Bar - and lots of shopping on very stylish streets!

Tonight we had cocktails at the Hassler Hotel, a really beautiful hotel that is family owned for 5 generations. It is built on one of the 7 hills in Rome just above the Spanish Steps with a view from its terraces of the whole city.  I can hardly believe I was standing on the terrace, drinking champagne and eating exotic nibbles with the whole city spread out below me.  The glow of the lights is magnificent! 

I met the Owner and his young son who is being groomed to take over the family business and they were absolutely charming - so proud of their hotel and very gracious and welcoming to show me around.  Insisted I see the Presidential Suite where Tom Cruise and his family stayed during the summer - wow!!  The Owner - Mr Hassler was born deaf but he reads lips in both English and Italian - just amazing when you consider, I can barely speak a few `garbled Italian phrases`!

Tomorrow will be an early morning as we take the 7AM train to Florence ...  I cannot wait to see what Tuscany holds in store!