Rome is mad but beautiful. We left London as a change was about to hit and they are predicting cold,wintry weather for Easter. A good flight to Rome and then we experienced how to queue Italian style.... which is not queuing but merging in a mass. We had to catch a sky-train from the plane to customs and were squeezed onto the train helped by a Japanese tourist who works for the Bullet train in crowd management. He successfully pushed everyone on and then was able to get his family on although their faces were pushed against the glass. We were met by the hire company we had organized and were dropped off at our accommodation - Sanniti Apartments. The drivers here are mad - even our driver was cursing. People don't give way, drive where they want and the parking is whatever you think. We dined at a pizza restaurant around the corner owned by a retired Italian marathon runner complete with Olympic memorabilia. The food was fantastic, people so helpful and we did what the locals did and drank beer. Then a guitarist turned up and started playing in the restaurant - we thought this was romantic and so Italian. However he then asked for a tip from every table. Travelers tip - always carry coins. We hadn't had a chance to buy anything so the smallest we had was a 10 Euro note. He was very appreciative and gave us a extra ciao as he left!
Day 5 - Rome (Colosseum, Palantine Hill & Catacombs)
We started early, walking to the main railway station, Termini, to catch the underground to the Colosseum. We had pre-booked a tour and met the Guide at 8.15. The signage in the station wasn't great but again everyone was so helpful. Our guide (Damianco) was excellent - he is an archaeologist who must make extra money as a Guide on week-ends. We were the only people on the tour so we were treated like VIPs. We spent 1.5 hours walking around the Colosseum finding out about the architecture, history, seeing where the wild animals were caged and where all levels of society sat. I was surprised to find out that the 'blood' games of watching gladiators fight each other and animals, and slaves and prisoners be executed, ran for 800 years once a month. And that lions were native to Spain but were made extinct due to the Roman demand for for wild animals. It was amazing to stand in the Arena and look up .....
Then we walked to the Forum and Palantine Hill. We spent another 1.5 hours walking around here. Again the history is amazing and the Emperor's palace at the top of Palantine Hill is enormous. Damianco explained why the Forum was in a valley between two hills (neutral territory between two opposing 'tribes') and even checked our travel route to the catacombs.
We then caught Italian public transport out to San Callisto. The bus was difficult to find but again people were very helpful - then we had a tour through the suburbs of Rome. The average person seems to live in apartment buildings which are usually 6 stories high. Graffiti is common, I think they have just given up and it is now art. We successfully got off the bus and walked to the catacombs.
It was packed as we shuffled underground looking at where the tombs had been. The countryside was beautiful and then we walked along the Appian Way back to the bus stop. We found a lone eucalyptus tree on its own so had a photo taken.
We are walking on average 6 - 10 km a day so we are all sleeping very well. The accommodation has been excellent - quiet nights and space. Would highly recommend both places.
Tomorrow we visiting the Vatican City and then doing a self-guided walking tour around the Piazzas of Rome.
Ciao from Rome
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