Rome Day 1

We met our hotel driver Momy and concierge booked guide GianLuca in the lobby at 9:30am and headed out to the Vatican Museums.   Long line of visitors waiting to buy tickets snaked down to and around the next via.   

Fortunately, we had reserved tickets and were able to skip most of the queue.  Although, that didn't help with the throng that was inside.

Just a few other visitors.

OMG, let's pack 'em in.

After the Sistine Chapel, outside right by the entrance to St. Peter's.

And outside again.  

Unfortunately, we missed out 1pm reservation at Roscioli which Mrs. SFO777 had chosen because Mario Batali claimed it was his favorite Rome lunch spot.   So we headed back to the hotel and re-group, decided to take both driver Romy and concierge Cristian's recommendation for nearby Tullio.    Nice atmosphere and the bread was great but nothing we ordered was pretty disappointing.

But the wine was great.

After lunch, back to Hassler to rest up for the next round.   The view from Suite 620.

Much better luck for dinner that evening at Moma.   Great atmosphere, service and food.   Typical North Americans, we were pretty much the first to arrive at 7:30p opening time.  By 8pm, the place was hopping.

Wow!

Our pasta with truffles was fabulous.