Left about 9.00am after remembering to put the clock back. After three weeks of worrying how the car would tow the caravan back up the steep hill to get out of the site, we hitched up and George roared off (Anne wasn’t allowed in the car – unnecessary weight!) up the hill and round the bends – no problem. Lovely sunny morning, but a chilly 15 degrees because of the clear sky.

Soon back onto the Fi-Pi-Li Expressway to Florence and then joined the motorway all the way to Rome, 320k easy journey in under four hours. The temperature was steadily rising and had reached 23 degrees by the time we got here. TomTom was programmed up with the address of the caravan site we were heading for (the only one near Rome which takes Camping Cheques) and really came into its own as we left the Rome ring road – both sets of instructions we had said to come off at junction 6. We went past junction 9 then ran out of numbers ! None of the following junctions were numbered so we followed Aussie Ken and came straight here – miracle.

One toll – 18€.

Camping Flaminio Village is only 7k from the City centre. We could park virtually where we liked so have got a sunny pitch near the shower block. The facilities here are excellent, especially the shower/wash blocks - more like a five-star hotel complete with classical music and self cleaning loo seats (yes really!). We have taken some photographs so you can see for yourselves. The site is quite big with lots of chalets to rent as well as 300 touring pitches. Also has a bar, restaurant, shop and information point.

Enjoyed red hot luxury showers then had a walk round the whole site – guess what? – ours is the only caravan here at the moment – all the rest are motor homes. Amazing!

Planning to be here for three weeks and really looking forward to exploring Rome for the first time.

  PHOTOS