4 September Rome, Italy

The ship actually docked at Civitavecchia a one hour bus trip from Rome - plenty of time to view the country side and have a quiet doze. Again our guide was excellent ( how they remember all the detail is beyond me). After arriving in Rome we had a short walk to our first stop -the Trevi Fountain. This was somewhere Irene had always wanted to go and was not disappointed. She through the coin into the fountain and hopefully will return one day.( Peter reluctantly complied with tradition).

Next it was off to the Colosseum  - how did they make these buildings. This was awesome , it is so large and powerful. We did not come across Russell Crowe ( Gladiator) but your imagination could certainly run wild with how things might have been.

Neither of us are particularly religious but going to the Vatican - St Peters and the Sistine Chapel was really special . The work, detail and splendour was magnificent. We did not see the Pope but at least we can now cross this off our list.

It was very crowded at all these venues and it made us appreciate going on a ships tour and not having to wait in line for hours to gain entry.