ROME - day 2

On our last day we headed off to the Vatican. After yesterday’s rainy walk we decided to test out the train system. Very efficient and now we know that nearly all attractions could have been reached much faster and drier. The Vatican museum was our first stop of the day and it is incredible. The artwork on the walls and nearly every ceiling of every room is hard to describe. The colours were much more vibrant then expected. The Sistine Chapel is a must see although it did take us a while to find it, and not the easiest to photograph.


A section of the museum ceiling



























St Peter’s Basilica was next and according to the guide of the group I stood near – the pope was in but didn’t do public viewings on Mondays. Inside the basilica is just as ornate and intricate as the museums. There are small private alters along the sides as well as the main alter.

We decided to take the challenge of the 300+ stairs and went to the top of the dome. The view was amazing. No sign of the rain from yesterday.


View over the Vatican City



























As a whole Rome was an interesting place to visit. The history is fantastic and to see everything and understand it you would need to be there much longer then 3 days. We almost struck a public holiday again (remember Brussels) but that was on Friday and we arrived Saturday. The gelati was too good for words but the rest of the food was pretty average. Hopefully it was just the tourist thing as we plan on seeing much more of Italy with food being high on the list of attractions.

Carina – this last piccy is for you. Found it on Via Giulia which was the first main street of Renaissance Rome built in the 16th century.

ROME - day 1

We decided to travel a little further afield and headed off to Rome. Spent a couple of days checking out the sights of ancient Rome as well as the Vatican. The amount of history that is thrown at you is mindblowing.

First up was the Colosseum which was only down the road from our hotel. The structure that is left is only the stonework. All the marble and iron was stolen for construction of other buildings. The floor that can be seen in the photo is where the challenges would have occurred and the rooms underneath housed the animals and gladiators before the challenges. Each tier indicated the persons rank in society, the higher up the poorer.

Beneath the floor of the Colosseum














Colosseum from 3rd level














Circus Maximus wasn't as grand as expected. Now it is just a great big grassy area that is used as a walkway from the Palatine to the Tiber River. There really isn't anything to indicate it's past importance.

Claire at western end














The excellent weather failed us from lunchtime when the rain started and just did not stop for the rest of the day. We did although continue with the guidebook's recommended walking tour, just went a little faster and bought another umbrella. Saw the Pantheon, but it has a huge hole (sunlight) in the ceiling so not much drier in there. Kept on going to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, passing many other piazza's and monuments. Some had hieroglyphics on them and some had elephants as their main focus!

Trevi Fountain














But wait there is still day 2........