Italy, Rome - 28th - 29th July 28th July Arriving in Rome just before lunch (sooo nice to have a short trip in the bus), we caught the Metro into the city, to the Colosseum. A quick walk around the outside of the Colosseum to buy a hat from a stall holder (bargained him down from 15Euro to 9) grabbed a bite to eat then met the group for our Imperial Rome Guided Tour. We took in/learned about/explored the Colosseum (from the outside only); ruins of the ancient Forum area including Ceasars cremation and memorial place, churches, Arch de Tito; over to Piazza Venezia, were the tour ended. The Piazza Venezia is nicknamed the wedding cake with all the columns I'm not surprised. From the columns we got an amazing view - one side the old ancient ruins of Rome, the other the domes and churches of the newer Rome. Wade met us here for a tour of some other sights - Trevi Fountain and the outside of the Pantheon. A quick dinner here on our own before catching the Metro to our campsite. Unfortuntely we arrived back too late to make use of the pool :( a swim would have been great - Rome is hot. 29th July Our day in Rome began with the Metro trip into the Vatican city and the Sistine chapel. Amazing, beautiful and ornate ceilings left us with very sore necks from spending so much time gazing up at the ceilings. From here Daniela and I made our way around the outside of the Vatican City to Piazza San Pietro were we joined some fellow Contiki friends Sophie and Dave in the line to get into St Peter’s Bascilica. Thank you again Sophie and Dave for letting us join you and for the guide you had with you. This free guide took us around St Peter’s, told us amazing stories and interesting facts about the statues and features of this building, one of, if not the worlds biggest cathedrals. There is a photo in my album of a statue made by an artist who was from another religion/country and it was part of the conditions of creating this statue of the king, that the artist was not to sign or make known he had done the statue. To get back at the king, on the unveiling of the work, it was noted that the artist had instead of the kings face had crafted his own face on the statue. But the twist is, the door underneath this huge carving is the door to the cleaning cupboard. So who won? Great story, my apologies for my horrendous memory, I hope for change this to it is more accurate with names. From here Daniela and I wandered and found our way (eventually) to Piazza Navona – 3 beautiful fountains in the middle of a square, although I think I liked the Trevi fountain more. Next stop the Pantheon with it’s huge dome that lets the sun in from the middle. Back to Piazza Venezia (or the big wedding cake building), we admired the view over old and new Rome. We were exhausted, but put in one last effort to explore the Colloseum. And a mind blowing place it is, too. The structure, the energy, and the history that this building holds, what the stones would have seen . . . Tired, we caught 3 trains along the Rome Metro (getting to know our way around and yet on the ball for pick-pockets), and then a shuttle bus back to our campsite just in time for dinner.