We cruise over night from Naples to Civitavecchia, the nearest port to Rome. ย Another calm night on the seas. ย We have booked two tickets on a private train to Rome. ย The railway station is only about 200 metres from the Liberty of the Seas’ berth. ย It looks like another hot day as well. ย We breakfast and head for the train. ย The train is direct from Civitaveccha to Saint Peter’s Station. ย The train has leather seats and all important airconditioning, but it rattles and shakes it’s way to Rome at speed. ย We arrive at Saint Peter’s Station and form into groups to be escorted to the Vatican City. ย It’s still a bit of a walk and the pace is slow, there are several older people in the group and I cannot help but think of poor Paul in Pisa. ย As we walk we note the way is well sign posted so we break away and walk into Saint Peter’s Square well ahead of the group. ย We take a couple of pictures and move to the queue waiting to enter The Basilca.
Italy
![Walking into Saint Peter's Square, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02019-1024x768.jpg)
![Pam and Michael in Saint Peter's Square, The Basilica in the background, The Papal City. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02029-1024x768.jpg)
We have brought some long pants and a shawl for Pam. There are dress rules for entry and we don’t want any dramas. ย The Basilica is huge, every wall and corner covered with murals, artworks and sculptures it really is something special. ย After our visit we depart via the Vatican post office and have a great coffee in a little cafe just outside the walls. ย We have a map and no real plan, other than to see as much as we can in one day.
![One of the many beautiful sculptures in the Basilica, The Papal City. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02045-e1406007783409-768x1024.jpg)
![The Swiss Guards doing their thing, The Papal City. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02047-1024x768.jpg)
We walk away from the Vatican City toward the Castel Sant’ Angelo past the tat sellers and get our first look at the Tiber. ย We cross the Tiber at the Pont Sant’Angelo a most beautiful bridge. ย We walk on to the Spanish Steps for some pictures and just to take in the atmosphere.
![Castel Sant'Angelo, on the banks of the River Tiber. Rome. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02050-1024x768.jpg)
![Walking the Pont Sant' Angelo, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02052-1024x768.jpg)
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![Michael and Pam taking in the 'Spanish Steps', Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02075-1024x768.jpg)
![Someones Column, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02077-768x1024.jpg)
We pass the Victory Column of Marcus Aurelius by accident on the way to the Trevi Fountain. The column is a story board of the General’s exploits. ย The Trevi is patched with people and we wait our turn to get a bit closer and a photo. ย It’s now getting very hot and walking in the shade where ever possible is the go.
![The Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02078-1024x768.jpg)
![The Pantheon, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02094-1024x768.jpg)
Our guide recommended the Piazza Navona for lunch and that’s where we head. ย On our way we pass the Pantheon and take time to look around inside. ย We then continued on to the Piazza finding a nice cafe for coffee, pizza and beer for lunch.
![Taking in the Pantheon, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02104-1024x768.jpg)
![Piazza Navaro, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02108-1024x768.jpg)
While we lunched, we study the map and decide it’s too far to walk to the Colosseum in this heat so we grab a cab. ย We had read on trip advisor that long queues at the Colosseum can be avoided by taking the escorted tours that are only a few euros more expensive. ย Good advice the queue for general admission was around the block, but we got on an English speaking tour in 15 minutes. ย Anyway we spent an hour learning all sorts of things about the building and it’s history.
![Another one of the bucket list, The Colosseum, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02121-1024x768.jpg)
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![The Colosseum, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02138-1024x768.jpg)
![The Roman Forum, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02141-1024x768.jpg)
We start the long walk back via the Roman Forum then on to the Tiber again. ย We plan on getting a cab back to the station but just doesn’t happen and we walk all the way. ย We make the station a bit tired and have an ice cream while we wait for the train. ย It’s been a great day and we have plenty to talk about over dinner tonight.
![Walking the River Tiber, Rome, Italy. 2011](https://michaelandpamstravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC02060-1024x768.jpg)