Rome

Roma Termini is a huge station (but like them all has nowhere to actually sit down!) – I think my hostel was closer to the entrance to the station than my seat on the train was! Anyway the weather continued grey as I found my way to the Cressy which has not yet decided whether it is a hostel or a hotel it seems. A private room with ensuite, a fluffy white towel and heated towel rail = hotel, whereas hard bed, thin walls, no toiletries, small communal kitchenette = hostel! Anyway it is close to the transport hub and suited my needs well (especially the price tag of less than £33 per night!) Top of my list here was of course the Roman Forum and Coliseum. I think I walked almost solidly from 9am til 3.30pm but it was worth it ... and it did not rain either. The Palatine Hill gave views over the Forum as well as an insight into life in Roman times. The Coliseum was not what I expected: it is mainly built of red tiles/brick/stone and not grey as I had imagined, but nI could still imagine the amount of blood, sweat and tears spent here over the years. It is however huge and not too crowded in January either! Each successive day I seemed to walk more and more – the Trevi fountain was the first place I saw huge crowds of people – the Pantheon was as beautifully proportioned as I had read – The various Museums were impressive and extensive – and I could have stayed another week and not seen everything on the List! What is more the sun came out for 3 of my 5 days here! 

Where Romulus lived maybe