Rome

Rome has all things to offer in the manner of history, architecture, art and the option of taking part in modern living. For the tourist this means that a short visit is never enough but to take in what Rome shows is an experience not to be forgotten. Our first day saw us walk along the Via Condotti and explore the many Piazza's on the way to the Spanish Steps. We passed a boat shaped fountain called the Barcaccia and looked up at The Spanish Steps where the young, beautiful people of Rome meet. The 138 steps lead to the French Church, Trinita dei Monti, designed by Pietro Bernini.The Trevi Fountain is Nicola Salvi's 18th century baroque masterpiece. It is full of mythical creatures centered around the figure of Neptune and his sea horses. It is said that if you throw a coin over your shoulder you will someday return to Rome.

The magnificent Pantheon is ancient Rome's best preserved building and one of the oldest buildings in the world with its roof intact. The dome is 43m (141ft) in diameter and is supported without columns or buttresses. The circular hole allows light and rain to come in but not harm the interior as it is all marble. This has been a Christian Church since 7th century and the tombs of Raphael and the architect, Baldassare Peruzzi and the first king of Italy are here.

Built in AD 72-80 the Coliseum is still an awesome sight! It is a four tiered amphitheatre that seated 50,000 spectators on stone benches. Over time the building was stripped of its precious marble cladding, travertine and metal for various churches and palaces. However the remains are incredible to walk around and experience the grandeur of days gone by. The Arch of Constantine stands close and this celebrates his victory over Maxentius at Saxa Rubra.

Vatican City is a state governed both politically and spiritually by the Pope, and has been since 1377. It is built on the west bank of the Tiber and covers 44 hectares of land. It covers 1 square km and is surrounded by the Leonine Walls which were built to protect the tomb of St Peter. The Pope is the ruler of this tiny state and is guarded by an elite corps of Swiss Guards who still wear blue, scarlet and orange uniforms designed by Michelangelo.

The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City is rectangular in shape and measures 40.93 meters long by 20.74 meters high. The ceiling was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 and among such beautiful images the Creation of Adam stands out. He painted the Last Judgment over the altar between 1535 and 1541.

St Peter's Basilica is the world's largest Roman Catholic church being 212m long on the outside and 187m inside. It is 132m to the top of the dome. Michelangelo's Pieta is the basilica's most worthy masterpiece and was created when he was only 25 years old. Michelangelo based the dome on the Pantheon and the cupola on Florence's Cathedral. Wonderful views of the Basilica can be seen from the top of the dome. Well worth the visit!

The Vatican Museums are full of public art and sculptures from the extensive collections of the Roman Catholic Church. There are 7kms of rooms and galleries to be explored and include Egyptian mummies, Etruscan jewellery, Greek sculpture, Roman sculpture and medieval and Renaissance works of art to modern religious ones. There are magnificent tapestries, maps of the ancient world and much more to see here.

Looking out over Piazza San Pietro you can see a perfect ellipse 240 meters wide surrounded by colonnades designed by Bernini. There are 284 Doric pillars set in 4 rows topped by 140 statues of Saints and Martyrs. When you are stand in the middle of the two fountains, the pillars all seem to be in a row, and it will look as though only one column is visible. This is an architectural feat. An Egyptian obelisk was placed here in 1586 as it was a relic of the True Cross.

just a few more sights of Rome including II Vittoriano where you can get great views of the city. Note the little cars - great for Rome as the roads are narrow and it's not easy to get car parks!

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Marco Polo Cruise 2006