After a long intercontinental flight and a turbulent taxi ride through the Italian capital, we reached our little hotel in the late afternoon. At first the taxi driver didn't understand us, and we thought that our hotel didn't exist. What a shock that was! But then he brought us to the right address after all, and at no extra charge.

Our room faced a quiet courtyard in the back, and we felt very comfortable for the three days we were there. But we never really fell in love with Rome itself: it's too loud, too hectic and in some places quite filthy. We were usually glad to be back within our own four walls during the evenings.