First day in Rome

29 June - Another day in the high 30's, perfect for a Queenslander, living in New South Wales, trying to escape the Australian winter.  This morning we checked out of the I Parigi and caught a bus and train to Rome.  There we checked into the Elite Hotel.

One of the trains used on our trip around Italy.

Value for money lunch at Republica.

This accommodation is basic and clean.  At the start it was a real come down after our accommodation in Florence but it was clean, centrally located and the staff were lovely, making up for the cosmetic things such as paint peeling off the walls in the hallway.  

This afternoon was spent at the Museo Nationale Romano: Palazzo Massimo which is full of ancient sculptures, mosaics and the most amazing coin collection, housed in a huge vault.  

Gold hair net belonging to a Roman woman.

Remains of  the walls and floor of a Roman Villa on display at  Palazzo Massimo.

After that we did an open top bus tour of the inner city area, seeing a number of sights but our first view of the Colosseo was a highlight.

First sight of the Colosseo.

Castel Sant'Angelo.