Why on earth did we book a flight with a 2:30 am departure time? We boarded bleary eyed and lighted headed from lack of sleep (you know us - early to bed people), but once on the plane and the cabin doors closed on a near empty cabin, our joy knew no bounds. I staked my claim on an entire row of four seats, lifted the arm rests and slept fully reclined without having to pay a business class fare. Now that’s why a 2:300 am flight is a good idea - no one else takes it.

Our luck held all the way to Rome - still plenty of spare seats after our stops in Singapore and Dubai, so we arrived in Italy feeling quite refreshed despite our 24 hour travel time. We overnighted in Fiumicino and next morning negotiated the trains to Tarquinia.

Tarquinia is known chiefly for its unique ancient Etruscan tombs in the widespread necropoli or cemeteries which it overlies, and for which it has UNESCO World Heritage status. We stayed in the old walled town with Its numerous medieval towers and cobble-stoned streets. The impressive walls were built during the city's most prosperous period in the 6th c. BC. Summer still lingered under clear blue skies despite the tourist season closing, and it was lovely walking around the quiet streets and city sites.

I wish I had brushed up on my Italian before coming as English speakers are few and far between. Luckily I am good at charades, so we have found our way around and eaten well. The tombs and the seafood pasta have been the highlight.

The ancient burial grounds (necropoli) date from the Iron Age (9th century BC) to Roman times. The main necropolis is the Monterozzi necropolis with some 6,000 tombs, at least 200 of which include beautiful wall paintings, and many of which were tumulus tombs with chambers carved in the rock below. About 60 of these are open for viewing, so we climbed a few stairs today as we descended below the mounds to view their painted walls. It seems my love of cemeteries is not confined to recent centuries. Reg gave up tackling the tombs after a while and was happy to rest under an olive tree and enjoy the above ground views, which included lovely countryside and a spot of people watching.

Although only a short time here, we loved discovering this delightful spot. Tomorrow we take a short bus ride south to join a Mediterranean Cruise from Civitavecchia. No WiFi for 11 days.