One night in Rome and endless sunshine in Elba, Italy.

After an easy but delayed flight we flew into Rome, grabbed our bags and jumped on the train into the city. We arrived at Termini station at about 9pm and set off in search of our hotel which conveniently was only a few blocks away. We were greeted by an extremely friendly lady who showed us to a comfortable room where we dumped our bags, quickly changed and ordered an uber. Rushing to meet a friend, Alex from home, we arrived to the pub we had previously agreed market at campo square.. but we were an hour late. We crawled between the raging contiki and top deck tours in search of him but their high pitch screaming and sweaty bodies got the better of us and we left unsuccessful and feeling old. 
The square was bustling with people as it was lined with cafes, bars and buskers, so we decided on dinner just near by so we could see if he was to leave the pub. Ordering a few well deserved beers, and a tasty starter of creamy mozzarella and salad, followed by our favourite pizza; napolitana. Just as we were finishing off our beers a familiar face caught my eye and we found Alex! The rest of his group decided to head home so the three of us headed to a few more bars for more beers before sending him home in a cab and putting ourselves on a bus after midnight! 

We woke around 8 and headed for the train station, with a quick bite to eat there we found our train and scored some seats! A few hours later we arrived at campagniola maritime and had to run to make our second train due in at Portimbo maritime at 2pm. We jumped off the train and into the hot, salty, summer air and crossed the road into the ferry office. Booking two tickets, departing at 2:30 and arriving into Portoferraro, Elba at 3:30.

We were greeting by a super smiley beachy beauty; Cristina, whom I met in Bondi a few years back. She had invited us to join her at her holiday house in Elba for the weekend, and obviously we greatfully accepted trhe kind invitation! We all jumped in her big soccer mum car and drove about 20 minutes to a small community set up by the beach, booming with tourists! Arriving at her house, it was adorable and authentic, like stepping into a set from the 50’s, complete with drawings on the wall (that her grandfather had done) to Rosemary beads hanging over the beds. She showed us to our room and opened the shutters.. Which literally showed us the beach! The water was a stone throw away, needless to say we changed quickly into our swimmers and ran down to splash in the sea. 

We met her mum Jane, and her friend Steph, who was also staying for a night! The beach was completely lined with deck chairs, and umbrellas and stretched for a few kilometres until it escalated into the township area full of bustling restaurants and pricey boutiques.   We swam into the early hours of the evening and soaked up all the sun we could before walking the few metres back to the house for an outdoor shower (with a forest view!) and to get ready for dinner. 

After popping open a bottle of one of the champagnes we specially brought with us, we drove (the whole 2kms) into the township area and arrived to our reservation at a friendly authentic pizza place. We ordered an eggplant parmigiana, followed by a massive Nepolitana pizza to share! It was delicious and was washed down with a tasty, cold draft beer! We then followed the cobble streets down to a happening little bar, ordered cocktails and watched an incredible band! She took requests and when Sean asked for ‘what’s up’, she insisted he have the microphone for the chorus! She shut down at midnight and so too did we! 
After a little lie in, we opened the shutters to see the sun was in full force and the beach was already packed! We headed back into town to the garden beach cafe (where we were the night before) for a few macchiatos (they do this well, but not so good at cappuccinos), and a few brioches (perhaps we are just fussy but they taste like a sponge cake compared to anything in Paris). 
On island time it was already past midday and we had barely finished our breakfast before making our way back to the beach for a good few hours of splashing around! Steph took off to catch her flight back to the UK so we had a late snack at one of the beach shack cafes to tie us over until dinner. We strolled all of the twenty metres home & set up some Campari spritz for apertivo hour. 
Feeling a little tipsy we ventured back out, fortunately not far at all as we returned to the same café from earlier, however it had now been transformed into a fine dining seafood restaurant. We took our table with a gorgeous sea view & ordered a whole fresh sea bream, which was filleted & plated up right at our table. The fish was incredible, & the matching local white wine, a viogner, harmonised perfectly. Finishing up with a digestif, we left feeling full & fantastic. We headed home for a much needed sleep.
The sun poured through our shutters again the next morning, & after a dip in the ocean, we decided to walk into town for some brekky. We returned to the garden café for macchiatos & brioches, & Christina joined us halfway through. After we split from Chris, & browsed the local overpriced shops we decided to hike over the hill to another beach on the island. After walking for 20 mins we reached a beautiful blue rocky beach, & we dived into the cool sea without hesitation. We floated around for awhile before getting out & making the journey back home. 

We returned to the beach out the front of the house, sunbaked & swam for a good few hours, & before we knew it, it was time for aperitivo hour yet again. This time we shared Campari with orange juice & soda, & just like the day before, we each had a few, got ready, & headed out for our last dinner in Elba. We walked back to town as the sun set, painting a picturesque scene across the water. 

We made it to Jane & Chris’ extended families restaurant, with the exhausted owner standing outside fishing for customers, & doing it well. We sat down & ordered two different homemade pastas. The gnocchi was fluffy & delicious & the crab spaghetti was decent as well. Our meal was accompanied with another local white, this time a vermentino, & it was all happy days! We paid up & left, & after Christina went shopping at 1am on a Sunday night(!), we returned home, ready to leave the island the following afternoon, our next stop being the Cinque Terre, via Florence!