Tuesday 21^st April

Another early start, breakfast at 6:30am.

Weather was excellent, 10° this morning with an expected high of 23°. Clear blue sky again today.

The bus picked us up just after 7:00am for a tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo, is absolutely magnificent and was the highlight of our day. We also got some good photos of the Swiss Guards.

We asked to be dropped off the bus at Piazza Colonna, where we saw the spiral relief column of Marcus Aurelius that commemorates his military victories. We then continued walking along Via del Corso to the Monument to Vittorio Emanuelle II. The view from the top was great - overlooking the ancient Forum, and the colliseum, and we were able to have lunch at a lovely café at the top of the monument. We then walked the short distance to Piazza del Campidoglio on Capitoline Hill, which is surrounded be 3 Palazzos that house the Capitoline Museums.

We were feeling a little foot sore by now so decided to take a taxi ride back to the hotel. The taxi ride was an experience. The only road rule in Rome appears to be that there are no road rules.

Marcus Aurelius Column Piazza Della Colonna

View from Vittorio Emanuele II Monument overlooking the Forum

Monday 20^th April

An early rise this morning (6:30) as we had to have breakfast and be in the Foyer by 8:45am for a group guided bus tour around Rome.

Weather this morning was a little cool at 11° with an expected high of 23°. Wonderfully clear blue sky, which will be excellent for photos.

The bus left the hotel at 9:00am and our tour guide, Salome, said she was taking us straight to the Vatican in order to miss some of the crowd.

We joined the queue to enter St Peter’s Basilica at about 9:30am with what seemed to be half the population of Rome and finally got inside at 11:00am.

The basilica is very large and beautiful inside, also very crowded not helped by having to wait for about 10 minutes when a section was blocked off as the Polish Ambassador and his entourage were visiting the Pope.

Back on the bus for a drive through the city crossing over the Tiber River, (which makes the Yarra look clean) and past Castel Sant’ Angelo to the Colosseum for a photo stop.

On the bus again which dropped us off close to Piazza di Spagna. From there we walked to the Spanish steps and then onto the Trevi Fountain. The fountain was a little disappointing, no water just lots scaffolding and people carrying out cleaning and restoration work that will not be completed for about 2 years.

As it was lunch time we had pizza and a drink from a shop next to the Fountain then set off on foot to the Pantheon (one of the best preserved of Rome’s ancient buildings) built by Hadrian between 118- 128AD. It has a large domed roof that was designed with a large hole in the centre, so when it rains the water comes in. More walking saw us arrive at the Piazza Navona to see the Fountain of the 4 Rivers built in 1651, as well as the Fountain of Neptune.

Finally back on the bus arriving back at the hotel about 3:15pm.

We were a little hungry by then so we walked up the street and had coffee, tea & cake at the Americana Bar before going back to the hotel to change and be in the foyer by 6:30pm for a Cruise Group welcome dinner at Ristorante La’ Caravanine, (fours courses & wine). We were also entertained with some opera singing.

St Peter's Basilica Vatican

Sunday 19^th April

Landed in Rome at 8:10am and after collecting our luggage we met up with the rest of the Aussie contingent (about 100 people) and boarded a tour coach for the trip from Fiumicino airport to Rome. 

Weather was fine and clear with a temperature of 11°.

As we were unable to check into our hotel, Sofitel Villa Borghese until 2:00pm the itinerary was rearranged and we were taken to see Villa D’Este in the town of Tivoli which is about an hours drive south of Rome.

After a look round the Villa and its magnificent tiered gardens, we had a light lunch at a café in the town centre followed by a gelato, before re-boarding the coach for the return trip to Rome.

After checking into our hotel the first order of business was a nice hot shower and change of clothes.

As we were a tad weary we decided to have dinner at the Terrace restaurant on the top floor of the Hotel. Fantastic food and a great view, looking directly over the dome of St Peters Cathedral.

Gardens at Villa D'Este Tivoli

Saturday 18^th April

Left home at 11:30am to go to the airport.

Our flight was due to depart at 3:40PM, however, due to a technical issue with the emergency lighting in the cabin of the aircraft, our flight was delayed and we did not take off until 5:45pm. We landed in Singapore at 11:30pm their time. It was then a bit of a rush as we had to get the shuttle bus from terminal 3 to terminal 1 to board the flight to Rome which was departing at 1:30am. Both flights were in Boeing 777 aircraft and whilst comfortable we would rather fly in Airbus 330’s.