Last year Traveler Nell and I visited Europe starting in Rome. Before we had even left Lazio we had agreed that we had to return someday to the Eternal City. And so we are…only ten months later. Leading up to our return trip I am posting some of the things I love about Rome.
Numero Quattro: il nostro allogio (Our lodging)
As you know Traveler Nell and I live and work out of our home at Two Travelers Plaza in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn. And while we have countless holiday estates and manors where we will take up residence when abroad, there is only one that we consider “Home”.¹
Domus Australia. Via Cernaia 14/B 00185 ROME, ITALY
We came to stay at Domus Australia in the most unexpected manner. It was October 2011 and we were traveling through rural New South Wales on our way to Parkes. One of the towns we stopped at along the way was Gundagai. There atop a hill, at the high point of town, is St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church.
Wherever we go, Traveler Nell and I like to explore the various Catholic churches we encounter. Among the various pamphlets near the entrance was a sheet of paper announcing the grand opening of Domus Australia in April 2012. Domus is the brainchild of Australian Cardinal George Pell as a reasonably priced place to stay for Australian Catholic pilgrims to Rome. I have no idea why Nell picked up that pamphlet but when we decided to go to Europe just a few months later our Roman accommodations were already settled.
On of the things that is so special about Domus is that your accommodation includes a full Australian brekky (breakfast). This is important as in Italy, “Colazione” a continental breakfast. This is (along with a cup of coffee) is what you will find for breakfast in Italy.
But when you stay at Domus you get all that plus some meats, cheeses and tomatoes…
Fruit, cereal, and lamingtons…
Eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and roasted tomatoes.
Despite being owned by the Church, Domus is open to everyone. That said it IS owned by the Church. The hallways are appointed with photos of the Australian parishes that supported the creation of Domus. And I previously wrote about the San Damiano Cross that was in our room.
The star of Domus Australia is the Chapel of St. Peter Chanel. Below is a panorama I shot while there last year.
¹ Please note that we would also count our parents domiciles in Melbourne, Victoria and Albany, New York as “Home” as well.