November is the time to be heading to a winter harbour where you can stay snug and safe until April. Our preference was for a berth in the downtown of big cities. Lots to see, lots to do. With advanced planning and a bit of luck we secured some real beauties.

Winter Ports

As our good friend likes to say, "many cities are very nice, but Rome ?  Ah, Rome is Rome ! ".

A winter in the very stylish (but not expensive in winter) Porto di Roma was an experience. Located in Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber the marina is a 40 minute train ride from downtown Rome and all its many wonders.

We made side trips to Florence, Venice, Naples and Assisi. Winter touring is the best as you will see in the photos there are virtually no crowds of tourists to negotiate.

          

      Rome

          

Rome at last !.
Rome at last !.
Porto di Roma is busy on the weekends. Families come from Rome on nice days and promenade.
Porto di Roma is busy on the weekends. Families come from Rome on nice days and promenade.
Our neighbourhood Ostia.
Our neighbourhood Ostia.
Ostia seafront. Mussolini architecture.
Ostia seafront. Mussolini architecture.
Street festival in our neighbourhood.
Street festival in our neighbourhood.
Nearby Ostia Antica.
Nearby Ostia Antica.
Famous bullfighters Chiara and Andrea Campesi have entered the ring at Ostia Antica.
Famous bullfighters Chiara and Andrea Campesi have entered the ring at Ostia Antica.
Salt encrusted windshield after a four day tempest.
Salt encrusted windshield after a four day tempest.
Thankful for a very high seawall.
Thankful for a very high seawall.
A Sunday walk in Trastevere.
A Sunday walk in Trastevere.
Christmas in Assisi. A quiet place.
Christmas in Assisi. A quiet place.
Nativity scene in front of the Basilica in Assisi.
Nativity scene in front of the Basilica in Assisi.
Third Christmas afloat.
Third Christmas afloat.
Dug up with the subway construction.
Dug up with the subway construction.
First electrical generator in Rome.
First electrical generator in Rome.
Fountain.
Fountain.
I am sure that is illegal now.
I am sure that is illegal now.
Great Fish market.
Great Fish market.
Making Bruschetta on New Years at Patricio and Claudia's chalet.
Making Bruschetta on New Years at Patricio and Claudia's chalet.
Mmmm. Fresh tripe offered in Naples.
Mmmm. Fresh tripe offered in Naples.
Street scene in Napoli.
Street scene in Napoli.
Nature trail near Ovindoli.
Nature trail near Ovindoli.
Negotiating passage.
Negotiating passage.
No crowds.
No crowds.
No tourists at Christmas.
No tourists at Christmas.
Our living room in Assisi in an old monastery.
Our living room in Assisi in an old monastery.
Piazza Navona .
Piazza Navona .
Piazza Navona.
Piazza Navona.
Ride to the heavens.
Ride to the heavens.
River God.
River God.
Snacking in Napoli.
Snacking in Napoli.
The Spanish steps.
The Spanish steps.
We were able to boat up the Tiber.
We were able to boat up the Tiber.
Via San Gregorio Armeno Nativity Figures. Naples.
Via San Gregorio Armeno Nativity Figures. Naples.
View from Rialto bridge in Venice.
View from Rialto bridge in Venice.
View of St. Peters from Tiber bridge.
View of St. Peters from Tiber bridge.
Last View of Ostia.
Last View of Ostia.