Discovering Ancient and Modern Rome Ever since I studied Ancient History and art in high school, it has been my dream to go to Rome and see both the ancient buildings and famous artworks. For this reason, I think that actually being in Rome was one of the highlights of the whole entire trip. We left Florence very early on Saturday 20 September as we needed to arrive in Rome before 12 noon to enter the Vatican. Luckily, we made good time and were entering the Vatican not long after 11am. The Vatican itself is an art lovers dream - and a very easy way to have a sore neck from looking at the ceiling. Of course, my and everyone else's ultimate destination was the Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo's famous artwork. So I began the long walk through corridors and galleries crammed with people, winding my way through the Vatican. The artwork was absolutely phenomenal and there literally are no words to describe how it felt seeing it all, except the problem was that it was such a long way, on a very hot day, with so many people that after an hour it was difficult to take any more in and appreciate it. A shame really since it was amazing artwork. After the hour or so, I really stopped looking at the ceilings and walls and just concentrated on getting through the crowds of people, determined that I was going to appreciate the Sistine Chapel. Of course, like the rest of the Vatican, the chapel was crowded but I found a spot and stared awe struck at the walls and ceiling. This was my very first moment of feeling like a dream was coming true as I'd always dreamed of being able to be standing in that very spot, but never seriously thought that I would. Words once again cannot describe how I felt. All I can say is that the Sistine Chapel is absolutely magnificent, and well worth the torture of the crowds and heat. It is one of those sites that has to be seen to understand. After nearly 3 hours in the Vatican, I left the city and wandered around it's walls to St Peters. Knowing that this is where the Pope makes his addresses from, I wasn't surprised by the beauty of the church both inside and out. Inside, it is huge and once again, covered in amazing biblical artwork. It would have to be the most beautiful church I've been inside - and I've been in many now! - one where you just have to stop and stare to take it all in. Underneath the main area of St Peters is where they keep the bodies of previous Pope's. Met up with Ali our tour guide and she gave us a walking tour of the city. The main problem with this was that I was so exhausted I was literally putting one foot in front of the other and not taking a huge amount of notice of what I was seeing. We did get to see the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi fountain and Spanish Steps - and eat some more lovely gelati! I'm really glad that we did get to see these - despite the exhaustion - as it allowed me to concentrate on the Ancient Roman stuff the following day. Returned to our campsite and just crashed after grabbing some pizza for dinner. Woke up early the following morning to give Mum and Dad a quick call where I don't think I really stoped talking for 25 out of the 30 minute conversation. It was just so exciting to be sharing with them what I'd been seeing and doing! Ate what was becoming a familiar breakfast of breadroll, ham, cheese, tomato and boiled egg. Actually, despite most people's complaints, I really enjoyed it! Headed into the collosseum via the Rome metro system where I had about half an hour to wander around the area before our imperial guided tour started. The imperial guided tour was just fantastic. Not only was the subject matter interesting, but the guide was very good at her job also. We began with a walk around the collosseum and she pointed out sites where famous buildings used to stand and told us stories about the colloseum. I found it fascinating as all of my Ancient History was rushing back and I knew exactly what she was talking about. Standing in the middle of the Ancient Roman, the area that used to be the centre of their political life and looking and learning what each of the ruins was, well once again I don't have the words to describe what I was thinking and feeling. It was that moment of realising just where I was and how I'd never imagined actually being there. After the fantastic imperial tour, I wandered around the forum a little more before going to find the Mouth of Truth. It has appeared in numerous movies, most notably "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn and the legend goes that if you tell a lie and put your hand in the mouth, then it will bite off your hand. Pure fable but fun all the same. So finally found it tucked away and entered to find a nice long line of people who had the same idea. Got my photo with my hand in the mouth which was what I wanted. It wasn't quite as impressive as I thought though. Then I had to walk along the circus maximus, the area where they used to hold chariot races in the ancient times. It was very disappointing to see that all that remained was a very long patch of grass and a few bricks. But at the same time, great to be standing right in that spot where it had once happened. The last stop of the day was of course to go inside the collosseum, a dream of mine for many years. The truth is that there is not really much to see inside. It is more about the being there, experiencing it and thinking about the lives lost and the lives regained in that stadium. And thanks to gladiator, all too easy to picture it how it once was. No Russel Crowes anywhere though! Underneath, what one had flooring on top, were these mass of walkways, and little rooms where the gladiators and animals used to wait. I wondered how they would have felt, hearing the roars of the crowd, waiting for what was likely to be their death. It really was an incredible feeling - one I don't think I could ever feel again, even if I was to return there. For me, these 2 days in Rome made the whole tour worthwhile, regardless of what still was to come. I could have gone home happy then. Luckily I didn't as there was so much more to see and experience. Highlights: 1. Colloseum and forum 2. Vatican 3. St Peters 4. Trevi Fountain Lowlights: 1. Campsite (worst one of the whole tour) 2. Feeling so tired couldn't appreciate as much 3. leaving!