Buongiorno from Roma! Beautiful, fascinating & romantic city where a phenomenal amount of history, legend and monuments coexists with an equally phenomenal concentration of people busily going about their everyday life! Day 1: 27th Jan - London to Rome An early morning flight got us up before the crack of dawn - 4am to catch a bus to Stansted airport for our 7:30am flight! Had planned to read up on the beautiful city on the flight but both fell asleep - not surprising really considering the time and not to mention the red wine we had the night before to celebrate Australia Day! (Michelle & Scott - the Barossa Valley Wine went down a treat!). Expecting a heat wave compared to London was not the case - infact quite the opposite. Upon flying into Rome the ground/cars/buildings were covered with a thin layer of snow! This is very rare for Rome, as it has not snowed here for 18 years! Typical for it to happen when we arrive!!! Apart from being freezing cold - it was exciting to have arrived in Italy! We collected our bag (well my travelling luggage carrier did - Andy!) and headed into Termini station (Central station) and then 15 minutes North to the campground, which we had booked our own cabin (thought it would be better than sharing with thousands of others in a hostel!). And we were right - our little cabin was perfect - bathroom and all! Not to mention 20 Euro a night for the two of us! That afternoon we thought we would start off the Rome sights with a 4km walk through the Villa Burghese park via several piazza's (Piazza del Popolo, Piazza die Martiri & Piazza di Siena - just to name a few). All of which are magnifically restored with spectacular fountains in the centre of them. Walking through the park we came to a gorgeous lake with hundreds of ducks, swans and geese - who looked like they wanted to come attack us if we got too close! Later we came across Bioparco(Zoo), which unfortunately was closed for the day. This was great to see even from the outside, as there were huge animal monuments, which blend into the side of the gates - easily missed at first until having a second glance. Leaving the park we visited Bernini's pretty Fontana delle Api(Fountain of Bees) and then onto the Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti) which was built with a legacy from the French in 1725, but named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy see, the steps lead to the French church, Trinita dei Monti. Our final and most spectacular monument for the day - the Trevi Fountain. Having not read the meaning of throwing the coins in the fountain before doing it - I decide I wanted a second wish and throw another coin - then finding out later - the famous custom is one coin over your shoulder to ensure you return to Rome, Toss a second one to fall in love with an Italian and chuck a third coin you will marry him/her! Hope it's not true! All I can say is lucky I didn't throw the third one, as there would be no wedding next February!! That evening we found a lovely little authentic Italian restaurant where we enjoyed Pasta and Pizza and some Vino!! God the food and wine is great!! Day 2: 28th Jan - Rome: St Peters Basilica Up bright and early for a full days sightseeing! Today we head to St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Certainly not surprised it took over 150 years to complete! Wow its amazing - the worlds largest church with a phenomenal amount of superb paintings and sculptures by Bernini, Michaelangelo & Raphael. We managed to join a 30-minute free-guided tour, which gave us a fantastic insight into the history and construction of the building and artworks inside. We also had the opportunity to visit the tomb of St Peter (& the 150 other popes buried) under the basilica. We later climbed to the top of Michelangelo's dome, which soars 119m above the high altar. Its balconies are decorated with relief's depicting the so-called Reliquaire Maggiori(major relics). What an amazing and spectacular church - this would have to be one of our favourite sights in Rome! In the afternoon we visited the Pantheon or the 'temple to all the gods', which is the best, preserved ancient Roman building. We then headed to Trastevere - separated from the historic centre by the river is said to be Rome's nightlife bars and restaurants - although we couldn't seem to find it. I think it most have been far too early for the Romans to appear at night as we are told they don't head out for dinner to at least 9pm - but the old folks couldn't last that long so had to have a early dinner and headed to bed! Day 3: 29th Jan - Rome: Colosseum/Palatine/Roman Forum/Capitaline Hill & Museums Another early morning rise! Up again at 7am! Headed straight to the Colosseum to avoid the crowds! You would not believe the number of tourists here and its in the middle of winter - thank god we choose to come now rather than in summer! Its amazing to see the massive structure still standing since AD72! Well half of it is anyway - the remains which you put a slight picture in your head what it may have looked like then. The Gladiators out the front trying to suck all the tourists into taking photos with them (for a fee!) added to the whole atmosphere! Next we headed for the Palatine, which is a mythical founding's place of Rome and the remains of the Iron Age huts had been discovered there. During the Republican era it was the most desirable spot for wealthy Romans to build their homes and later became the realm of the emperors (Imperial Palace). Little remains now on the grounds and its difficult to imagine how massive the palace most have been, having seen the large land it had covered. We then headed to the ruins of the Roman Forum, which was built over 900 years ago. This used to be the commercial, political and religious centre of ancient Rome from the Republican era until the 4th century AD. Large monuments still remain and it's had to believe after so many years again how these archaeological sites are so well preserved! After a quick bite to eat, we headed to the Capitoline Hill Museums - Palazzo Nuovo and Palazzo dei Conservatori. The museum buildings and the piazza were all designed by Michaelangelo in 1538. This was especially beautiful to see at night as the spectacular buildings were all light up - the great details of the monuments and mere size was just amazing, not to mention the sculpture and paintings inside these museums. Completely b*****ed from the full day walking around we decide to head to the same restaurant we went the night before for a quick pizza and red wine. Our waiter was lovely, although she spoke English - we tried our luck at a few phrases of Italian! And I emphasise the word a FEW! Oh well as they say 'When in Rome do as the Romans do!' Day 4: 30th Jan - Rome: Vatican City/Sistine Chapel Off to the Vatican today to see the Pope! But first we head to Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums. We were quite lucky having visited Rome at the end of the month, as every last Sunday of the Month entry is free! Arriving at 8am you would not believe the queue already - hundreds of people and it doesn't open until 9am. Getting frustrated by the all the queue jumpers(common thing for the Europeans to do!!!) I noticed the girl behind us make her way up the queue past about 15 people. I couldn't help myself and say something sarcastically ' Hey - how did you get there - thought you were back with us? (With a cheeky smile on my face!) She just nodded and said 'Yes, that's right - waiting for friends'. I then went back to Andrew and told him and then noticed I had just told a Nun off! Oh gosh I am going to hell for that!!!! Having entered the Vatican Museums, we decide we should try to head straight for the Sistine Chapel before all the crowds arrive. Although this isn't as easy or quick as you think, you pass through hundreds of rooms/smaller museums and exhibitions on the way. As you would imagine all of which are absolutely amazing: Egyptian, Tapestries, Raphael's Rooms and Loggias, Collections of modern art, Museum of Popes Clement XIV, Antiquarium Romanum, Gallery of Candelabra, Vatican Picture Gallery - just to name a few. Finally we reach the Sistine Chapel, deservedly one of the most famous places of the world, the site where the conclave for the election of the popes and other solemn pontifical ceremonies are held. Spectacular - however not as amazing as you would think having seen many other rooms on the way! The chapel is a large rectangle room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, which is entirely covered by the famous frescoes which Michelangelo painted between 1508 and 1512 for Julius II and then more than twenty years later, Michelangelo was summoned back by Paul III (1534-49) to paint the Last Judgement on the wall behind the altar. He worked on it from 1536 to 1541. Of course no photo's are allowed in the chapel, however you should have seen the number of people taking them - in the end we too were naughty and thought - why not! After visiting the museums again we head to St Peter's for another quick visit before joining the hundreds of locals in the square to see the Pope for his usual Sunday blessing. Eventually the 84 year old appears at his window and greets the crowd in a weak and hoarse voice. The poor old man sounded like he would barely even last 10 minutes! Even though we could not understand a word of what he was saying (& I'm guessing a lot of the Italians may not have understood either - he was certainly struggling with his speech) it was still a fantastic experience to have been there for his blessing. It was quite funny at the end as he released the peace Doves out his window but they kept flying back in (three times). He even found it quite amusing and had a little chuckle to himself - he's so cute!! That afternoon we visited a couple more museums - Palazzo Mussimo alle Terme and Palazza Altempts before grabbing some dinner to take away and a cheap 2 litre bottle of Red Wine. Unfortunately when we got to the train station the train had been cancelled and there wasn't another one for an hour, so the kiddies decided to enjoy a few swigs of Red Wine while we waited for the train!!!! By the time we got back to the campsite, after few red wines, you can guess who was busting for the toilet! Day 5: 31th Jan - Return to London Our last day - well half day in Rome! Lazy morning we head to the Trevi Fountain for one last look, to find it had been all been drained for cleaning, so it was lucky we had already visited it previously. We then managed to find some lovely Italian shirts for Andrew for work and then headed to the airport for a 2pm flight. Having a couple of hours to kill, we enjoy lunch with Red Wine we had left over from the night before. Turning into real backpacker scum - we sit outside the airport swigging again from our 2 litre bottle! Next time we will be more prepared, and have all the utensils and cups! Our holiday is over and its time to go back to London, but I'm sure there'll be another adventure just around the corner!.