DAY 3

9/19/2018

WELCOME TO ROME

Shortly after posting we boarded the first of two flights to Rome. The first flight took us over the pond from our home airport to London Heathrow.

Our flight boarded on-time.  The walk on the jetway was the longest walk we have ever taken to board a flight.  When the flight attendant greeted us Keith asked if we had arrived to London.  It was all worth it and the exercise was great.   Once on-board one of the first class flight attendants escorted us to our seats.

Although our take-off was a few minutes late, the Pilot said we would easily make up the time, as there was a strong tail wind from west to east.

He was right. We landed about forty-five minutes early. We were pushed around for a few hours as the pilot had predicted. Overall, it was an uneventful flight. We enjoyed dinner and watch one movie. Ironically, we each fell asleep before the end of our respective movies. We are not sure if it was the movie or because we were tired. We slept on and off for four hours but it was sufficient for us.

The aircraft differed from the last time we took this flight.  This time we were on a Boeing 747-400.  By the time we learn how to work all the items they change the aircraft so we have to go through the learning curve. Again. Thank goodness for the wonderful foldout program guide which provided photos and a terrific description for each item.   Life it good. LOL.

We want to take a moment to recognize the British Airways ground and air personnel.  We realize that there are other airlines that provide a more luxurious experience.  We have taken man of them.  We have to say the best for Keith was back in the day when Keith flew on corporate jets.

With that said we are fortunate to have this direct flight from our home airport to London Heathrow and each time we have taken this flight we have been impressed with the high level of customer service provided to the passengers.  This began when the ticket counter opened 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled opening time along with the attention to detail and the friendliness of the head supervisor who checked us in.

This continued at the lounge for the USA based airline we normally fly.  As a British Airways passenger in First Class (Business Class would have been the same) we could order anything on the menu from food to drink without a charge.  The same personnel who work the ticket counter work at the gate and provided excellent customer service.   The excellent service took place throughout the flight.

We are reminded that when we were first married we never would have dreamed that we would have so many opportunities to travel the worlds and our early trips with the family involved coach and we were thrilled just to have those opportunities. So as they say we are happy campers.  We have so much to be thankful for.

As we exited the jetway someone from the airport concierge service met us. After a short walk we boarded one of those motorized airport carts and were whisked over to security. After clearing security we were escorted to the British Airways first class lounge where we waited for a few hours before it was time to board our flight to Rome. We enjoyed our second breakfast of the morning of scrambled eggs, toast and coffee. Once again the concierge met us at the lounge and escorted us to the gate for the flight to Rome.

The flight to Rome was uneventful. After we landed and taxied to the gate a representative from the same airport concierge service we used at London Heathrow met us. This facilitated getting though the airport including immigration/customs. The hotel arranged for a private vehicle for us and the driver met us at the exit from customs.

With an early evening arrival we had a relatively easy drive from the airport into Rome. We are staying at Hotel de Russie for the first time. The building was designed in the early 19th Century. It contains 86 rooms and 34 suites, Le Jardin de Russie restaurant and Stravinskij Bar.

The hotel is located between Plazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps and in close proximity to the Eternal City.

Its layout includes “The Secret Garden” which includes 2,800 square metres of terraced gardens, full of palm trees, yews and white climbing roses.