Ciao!
Early start this morning with breakfast, check out of the Budapest hotel, transfer to airport and our flight to Rome to start the Italian leg of our awe-inspiring journey.

We landed in Rome and met our transfer to our hotel mid afternoon. Following a briefing by our Tour Director, we had a short bus ride around some of the inner city sights including:
- St. Peters and the Vatican (very close to our hotel)
- Castel Sant' Angelo
- the Tiber River, the 2 ancient roman bridges (built over 2000 years ago), and
- the Pyramid of Caius Cestius - built around 12 BC as his tomb.

We are very much in awe to be here and to be seeing the marvellous buildings that we have only ever seen on TV or read about in books.

Over the centuries Rome has been rebuilt many times particularly along the Tiber River as a result of flooding. Each time the new buildings were built on the rubble of the previous buildings. As a result the city now sits high above the river - approximately 20 metres with brick walls lining the river. At waters-edge there is a walking and cycle track used by the locals.

Our hotel has its own chapel which is open 24/7. Due to its proximity to the Vatican, Cardinals often stay here, host events and will offer Mass on occasion.

Tomorrow is a full day of sight-seeing in the Eternal City.

Today's insight :
At one time, Rome's political masters decided to emulate Paris and run river tours to show the sights of the city. The idea was dropped once they realised that all that could be seen from the River was the brick wall.