We arrived into Rome Termini station a little after 3pm - it was a bit warmer than Firenze so jumped into a taxi to our apartment in Monti. The apartment is in a sketchy looking small street but is a charming place. We settled into the apartment then did a quick walk around the neighbourhood to the Roman Forum and the Victor Emmanuelle monument. We finally found a supermarket and bought some groceries for breakfast. We rested back at the apartment then went out for some pizza and sculpi (like Arranci balls, unique to Rome). The pizza was excellent and close to home so it was a short walk home and to bed. The next day we slept in a bit and made breakfast at the apartment. At around 10 we walked about 5 minutes to the Coloseum. It always amazes - they have rebuilt some of the Coloseum so it looks even more impressive. The kids were impressed that when full it housed more than the SCG (50,000 punters). It was interesting to learn about the senators row (their name engraved into their seat) and the Commodus Row so the emperor could enter without being seen by the crowds. It wasn't crazy busy but still full of people so the we took some more photos and then walked over to the Roman Forum. The forum is such a lovely walk - a bit ramshackle but fascinating to see how the Romans linked the Colosseum to the Emporers palace overlooking the Palantine hill. We took some photos and then walked passed the Victor Emmanuel monument and into the Centro storico. We had a quick panini at a local sand which shop then walked onto the Pantheon. One of my favourite buildings - the enormous Columns and doors and the dome always amazes. It's also great people watching in the piazza in front. The kids were flagging at this stage so we walked in to the piazza novana for a gelato. Leigh did a little shop at a beautiful shop called Soceity. It was time for a siesta so we walked back to the apartment for a break. We decided that the kids needed a night in so we cooked at the apartment. I went out to the see if I could find the tickets to the Lazio game. Suffice to say it took awhile especially when you ask directions from as AS Roma fan. In any case I got the tickets for the kids and I and the groceries and made it back to the apartment. A reassuring dinner of pasta and sausages  and the kids were happy . Leigh's and I had chicken involtini and a pear, porcheta and pear salad. After dinner it was time for bed. Thursday's morning was wet  -  later we jumped on the metro and headed to Ottaviano and the Vatican. I love public transport but it always challenges (why didn't the ticket machine ask if I was travelling with children when it asked for the age of the traveler when buying a ticket! - argh!) in any case we've now learned that kids travel free in Rome!!! We caught the metro to Ottaviano and then walked to the Vatican. We weren't the only ones to think of going to the Vatican on a wet Thursday in Rome as the line up to get into both the Vatican museum and St. Peter's was crazy. We walked around the piazza and took some photos - I was explaining to Eleanor the process of becoming a saint and she said that she has resurrected a chicken so she's already done one miracle - She's halfway to becoming a saint! We walked back to the apartment Castle Saint Angelo and then via the Spanish steps. It's an amazing shopping Mecca - we stopped into both the Frette shop and Jaeger Le Coultre but alas no purchases were made. It was beginning to rain a little harder who we jumped into a taxi back to the apartment. We rested and then I went to the Henry Moore exhibition near the Termini. It was very good but very wet...shame they didn't have some of his outdoor Travertine maquettes - I enjoyed it nonetheless as it was almost empty (a rarity in Rome) I made it back to the apartment and we then headed out to dinner in a local restaurant. A quick but delicious dinner and the girls went home for movies and the boys headed out to the Stadio Olympico for the Lazio vs St Ettiene Europa League game. It was a little overcast but we made it to the game (a few buses in error). We made it just in time for the game to start. It was great to see the locals gesticulating whenever the Lazio team did something wrong. In any case Lazio won 3:2 so it was smiles all round back to the termini and to via Cavour. Spencer and Campbell did very well - it was a great night and reminded me of being there in 95 for AC Milan v AS Roma - "Voila Weah" The next day - Friday - was our cooking class. We walked to the Campo de Fiori and met our chef Vittoria. We walked around the market seeing all the vegetable providores. We then bought our bread and meat and then walked to the apartment of the owner. We were joined by a lovely couple from San Francisco (David and Noelle) - we had a great time cooking three different types of pasta - ravioli, taglioni and the butter ball one (I can't remember - but it was delicious) . We enjoyed the food and a glass of vermintino and chatted away. Suitably stuffed with food we walked back to the apartment for a nap. That afternoon I bought some groceries for dinner and we cooked at home (ravioli and polpetti (meatballs) for the kids and pork with brrasciole and arugula for Leigh and I. We are enjoying our apartment in Rome - it's quiet and homely. The next morning we woke up for our last morning in Rome. We did a quick pack then walked to the metro and caught the subway to Flamino to the Borghese park. There isn't a lot of greenery in Rome and the Borghese park is no Central Park but at least it was a nice walk around the garden (and a lovely coffee at the garden cafe - amazing coffee machine). We walked around the park to the piazza Napoleon for a lovely view over Piazza della Republica) we walked back via Via Corso and back to the apartment to pack up. Our driver was waiting and it was an easy transfer to Fumiciano airport. Unfortunately our flight was delayed so we waited in the departure lounge for our flight to Istanbul.