Quelle surprise: Accommodation choice on point

Sometimes when you arrive at a destination in the dark of night you don’t realise just where you are, sometimes you don’t look in the right direction and miss it altogether.

This happened to me once when following the LA Lakers up the east coast of the States, we checked into highway motel in the middle of the night in New Jersey only to wake in the morning to find ourselves in the shadow of Manhattan. Hindsight says just stay in Manhattan and commute to the basketball game, better than a highway motel.

In this instance though we arrived in Rome, always facing away from the marvel that awaited me as I opened the shutters at dawn the next morning – of course I was suffering with jet lag and an awfully early wake up. What a wonderful surprise, to find this view though to compensate for the heavy head.

A very trevi wish

The Trevi fountain, more than just an oversized wishing well. Take part in the coin toss and ensure that you return to Rome.

Looking out from the inside, windows distort the view

A gridded view of Roman life.

Turn a blind eye to Roma Termini, just enjoy the city

Don’t let Roma Termini influence your opinion of Rome.

Rome is a beautiful city, but Roma Termini – where many Roman adventures begin – is the epicentre of all things that are wrong with the city.

So if your journey must begin at the Termini separate this experience from the rest of Rome.

Rest assured upon arrival more eyes will be watching both you and your luggage than you can imagine. In one glance you will be assessed for your potential.The question is will you be an easy target for a pickpocket’s prying eyes or will you simply be overlooked.

These people – pickpockets – are easy to spot if you take a moment to look around. Divert your attention for a moment from where you are going and take a look around.They’re the ones watching the people rather than going somewhere themselves. And remember they may not look run down or dirty – this is profitable business for them after all! Keep an eye out for props, newborn babies create both a great distraction and also a false sense of comfort.

And if you see them, they’re not likely to be interested in you. So take a look around and show that you are alert.

But if you’d rather pass through the Termini oblivious to your surrounds just mind your belongings and before exiting check you’ve come out the other side with all of your valuables.

And now that you’ve made it out of Roma Termini, benvenuti a Roma!

Enjoy the beautiful, ancient city. Be vigilant on all public transport and remember service is never free.

A few snaps from my week in Rome, although after having been to Rome a few times you are not going to see many of the main attractions.

Room with a view.

For as little as 80 euro cents you can start your day with espresso, just follow the locals.

Pay a little bit more and you can have a well dressed man make your morning espresso.

Treats from the Pasticceria.

Italian colazione.

The umbrella sales man is out just before the rain – did he have something to do with it?

Thunderstorms to start the day.

Local market

After many visits to Rome discovering there is an amazing park.

Just a simple Margherita pizza

Spaccatelli alla pescatore

Tagliolini allo scoglio

Traditional Roman restaurant

More pizza!