Day 8 Rome

We leave Venice in pouring rain and relax in the coach as we drive south towards the 'Eternal City', enjoying the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria along the way. Our tour guide, Debra, tells us some great stories and educates us with about 2000 years of history in a half hour 'sermon'. It is great and theologically very sound. We also enjoy a couple of very informative DVDs as we travel.

Arriving in Rome mid afternoon we take the optional tour that takes us to some of the great landmarks of the city. This is a walking tour with Christina our local guide who will be with us again tomorrow. First stop is the Spanish Steps so named because of the nearby Spanish Embassy however they were paid for by the French!

On then to the Trevi Fountain along with thousands of other tourists all keen like us to throw their hard earned money in their right hand over their left shoulder into the water. One coin means you will come back (which we have achieved now twice!)

After visiting the amazing Pantheon and being blown away at how pristine this 1900 year old engineering and artistic marvel is we move on to the Piazza Navona. Here we enjoy a lovely dinner listening some high quality busking then we stroll the square looking at lots of art and other buskers.

It is still early evening but time to return to our lovely hotel in the suburbs of southern Rome. Walking back to our bus we cross the Tiber and capture this iconic image of St Peters Basilica and the river - could be the next screen saver!

For those who have not already heard via social media or some other way we can now share our joy with the news that Steve and Eryn have announced their intention to marry. No other details as yet. However, you may be interested to know that we received this news in pouring rain outside St Marks Basilica in Venice! Steve and Eryn called us from romantic Seville Spain (such an international family!) we are beside ourselves with joy.

 

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