One night stay in Hotel Sirenetta in Lido di Ostia - single room overlooking the sea

http://www. hotelsirenettaroma.com/#

Landing in Rome at the FCO airport, it is a glorious 89 degrees. Even with the cloud cover it’s a welcome departure from the cold and wet spring I am leaving behind in Michigan. Welcome to the first day of summer !

At the airport, it’s pretty quick to leave the plane since I’m near the front (of economy of course). Then a walk through the terminal to the passport control. No lines! They have a new automated system for scanning the passports of certain countries (USA included). After that machine, you stand in a short line for getting the entry stamp. No questions. Easy. Next is the little walk to the baggage claim area. After a short wait, my bag falls from the conveyer belt and off I go to customs. Walking through the green, nothing-to-declare doors, my arrival is complete ! Next task is to locate bus tickets and espresso! I find that the bus tickets are sold at the same place as the espresso in the adjacent terminal. So off into the warm air I go to walk the < 5 min to the other terminal. The cappuccino is heavenly. Bus tickets in hand, I head to the bus stop outside the door to catch my bus to Lido di Ostia. 

The bus ride is about 30 minutes through normal, every day Italy. In general, I would not recommend this journey or stay in Lido di Ostia for a first-time visitor. It is regular Italy. And I love it. The town of Lido di Ostia is quite lovely on the sea. The train station is a 10-minute walk to the hotel, which is easy to find on the road that goes along the beach.  

At the hotel, my room is ready. It is at the top of the building with no lift so off I go up 4 flights of steps. I’m pretty much ready for a shower and nap. I have a “single” room but it has a double bed. The room is basic, good size and comfortable. The terrace overlooking the beach is easily double the size of the room! It’s lovely. 

After a shower and nice nap listening to the waves of the sea, I get ready to head out to explore this town a little bit and to find a meal. First stop, aperitivo in the hotel’s beautiful back garden area. Aperol Spritz #1 and it’s a delicious one! The little bowl of potato chips (crisps) hits the spot for my empty tummy.

I ate at a restaurant that I found online that serves buratta cheese, Da Bari in Roma Che Ce Ce. I made a reservation online but it was totally not needed. After walking along the beach road to the pier, I wandered through the town and got to the restaurant at opening time. I was the only customer in the place for my whole stay. I ordered pasta with eggplant, tomato and buratta cheese. So delicious! After dinner, I went to a Carrefour market to buy an orange to bring to my friend Sue at the airport tomorrow. I think she will be pretty much done-in by the long-haul flight and in need of nourishment and vitamin C ! 

Back at the hotel, I enjoy the rest of the evening catching up on correspondence with family & friends back home. Watching the sunset from my terrace, I am grateful to be back here in Italy. 

Discovered that someone told the weather I was on my way.... the forecasted highs in the 80s has changed drastically for the rest of June. Now it will be record-breaking highs with temps in the mid to high 90s through to early July. Ugh. Good thing Sue told me she loves hot weather because she is getting some! Here’s the headline ...