Well, a few more caravans have passed through here, but not many. Still lots of motorhomes but nobody seems to stay more than a few days – same as we have found in other city centre sites. Last week was quite full, probably because of half term, but there are not that many people here now. Internet here is really good, wi-fi in the caravan, and reasonable at 2€ for 3 days.

Rome is a really interesting city. Very easy access to the centre from here - the local station is ten minutes walk away with trains every fifteen minutes or so for the ten minute trip to Piazza Del Popolo (2€ return each), or there is a bus stop right outside the site entrance for a fifteen minute ride to Piazza Del Mazzini not quite as central but still ok, for the same price.

The main touristy bit is about three miles square so is easily walkable, although there is also a lot more apart from this which we will use the Metro for. Using our guide book we have picked out areas to explore each time and roughly kept to our plans.  We have seen some wonderful sights including beautiful Basilicas, buildings, ancient ruins, lovely Piazzas and sunny streets. You will be relieved to know that there is just too much in Rome for us to give detailed accounts – we have added lots of labelled photographs in Picasa so you can see for yourselves.

One massive highlight so far was seeing Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Basilica during our visit to the Vatican City………. more in a mo……….

The Vatican is twenty-five minutes walk from Piazza Del Popolo, over the river Tiber across the Regina Margherita bridge. Made the effort for an early start to beat any queues and were in St Peter’s Square by the Basilica before 9.00am.

What a sight it was as we emerged from a side street – the huge open piazza (which isn’t square at all), oval shaped, mostly enclosed by Bernini’s curving Colonnade of marble pillars, over which St Peter’s Basilica presides majestically. This site used to be the great Circus of Nero. On Nero’s command, Peter was crucified here in about 65AD. More than 250 years later, Emperor Constantine The Great built the first Basilica on this site, over St Peter’s Tomb, after declaring Christianity the official faith.

No queues for the climb up to the top of the Basilica Dome so off we went.  5€ each. The dome was designed by Michelangelo when he was in his seventies –sadly he didn’t live long enough to see the end result. About five hundred steps to the top, a stop half way to a gallery inside the Basilica, 53m above the floor, looking down on the high altar, an amazing sight, then upwards again on the final curving stairs, leaning inwards between the two skins of the dome. Eventually emerged outside onto a balcony circling the whole of the top of the dome – about 120m up, great views over the whole City of Rome. Well worth the effort. Made the return descent which finished inside the Basilica at the back –

What a magnificent place – absolutely huge, full of works of art, particularly Michelangelo’s Pieta. There was a barrier across the Nave about half way up so we couldn’t get anywhere near the main altar of St Peter’s Tomb – we found out that there was a special mass taking place at 11.30, to be taken by The Pope Himself, so we managed to get right up to the barrier and waited – along with crowds of other people who had heard the news. Invited guests were arriving and taking their seats all the time, entering from a door up near the altar (a long way up from where we were). Security men and Swiss Guards were everywhere. Sure enough, at 11.25 they all entered at the front and came into view– about thirty Cardinals and The Pope, a mass of red robes and Mitres in a sombre procession.

We found out later that is was a special Mass for all the Cardinals and Bishops who had died in 2008. How lucky we were to be there at exactly the right time.

Because of the service, we weren’t able to get into the front half of the Basilica so we will come again when it’s fully open. We’d also like to see the tomb of John Paul II. This is one of the many benefits of having lots of time here – it would be impossible to see everything we want to in a few days.

Went straight round to the entrance to the Vatican Museums, (14€ entry + 6€ audio guide, each) no queue there either and spent about four hours going from room to room looking at the stunning exhibits and decor – fabulous but exhausting. We eventually reached the Sistine Chapel and at least we could sit down there and marvel at Michelangelo’s ceiling, and Last Judgement fresco on the altar wall.

On Sunday we had a day out on the coast – drove west to Fiumicino – lovely sunny day but very windy so we had a bracing walk along the front, along with lots of smartly dressed locals out for their Sunday constitutional. A busy port with lots of cafes and restaurants. TomTom got us home ok!

Having a good time here so far and enjoying seeing some the famous sights including the Ancient Forum, the Chigi Palace, Via Del Corso, the Vittoriano Monument, Capitoline Hill, Spanish Steps – and we’ve thrown coins into the Trevi Fountain which will apparently ensure our return to Rome – it works, we were back two days later!

We’ve had all sorts of weather, from sitting outside in hot sun (not bad for November) to terrific thunderstorms, but have had mostly good weather for our trips into the city.

Looking forward to more of the same (well not the thunderstorms obviously).

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