The Vatican, St Peters Square & Basilica; The Sistene Chapel. We heard the tales and took the advice, before we left Australia, we purchased skip the line tour tickets for all of the above hotspots. One thing to say - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! We attempted to take the 8am bus (No. 64 Pickpocket special) but couldn't get on without having a ticket. Ticket booth doesn't open until 9am which is 15 minutes later than when we were supposed to arriv...

Illuminated Rome Night Tour - Night 3 We started out for the Tour company wishing, hoping and praying for a well air conditioned coach, such are the simple things by which we measure success at present. A delicious breeze and sometimes a linger in the doorway of a store we can't afford to shop in (and would likely never let us in based on our dishevelled look!!!) make us ridiculously happy. The tour offices are around the corner from what we are realising is...

After a very early start - we both woke up at 4am - we walked to the Trevi Fountain. The first thing we heard was the roaring of the water against the rocks and mum and I said to each other Ït's the Trevi Fountain". Being in Rome became real for both of us. As it was still very early the city worker was still cleaning around the fountain, we all stood back while he finished. We took lots of photos from every different angle and then we sat down and watched ...

On Monday we went in 40 degree heat to Villa DÉste & Villa Adriano. Let me just say - not our smartest move! The tour left at 3pm so you'd be forgiven for thinking that the worst of the day's heat was over - umm, no! We took an air-conditioned bus ride out of Rome to the hills of Tivoli, where we passed the Travertine marble quarry. It was amazing to think that this quarry has been providing marble to Rome and the world for thousands of years. As we d...

The Trip to Roma The flight from Melbourne to Dubai was good. We had great seats, a row of two almost at the rear of the plane (no toilet smells for those that predicted it!). The only downside really is how long it took to get off the plane when we landed but we had nowhere to be so all was fine! Interesting character behind us - shared his flying tips with me, apparently the best way to make it through a long flight is 10 whiskey's - you may think I'm ex...