Day three Rome

The baths – Terme di Caracella – in a large park and framed against umbrella pines are impressive and it is nice to wander around them.

Alan comments that we are in the entertainment end of town for ancient Romans with the Colosseum for blood sports, the Circo Massimo for chariot races and the baths for relaxation.

There is protest going on and the carabinieri arrive on motorbikes and in cars, sirens blaring, as we descend into the metro.


We exit at Cavour and find the Santa Maria Maggiore – an exquisitely beautiful cathedral. I almost feel Catholic again. In a yearly service white rose petals are dropped from the church's ceiling.


Later I do the sisterly thing and buy some nice linen pants in Momento, the shop Shauna has recommended.


Wandering on, we arrive at the gleaming white and impressive building that is the Complesso del Vittoriano. We are not sure what the building is all about but it seems to be some homage to the brute of Italian military strength.


Plaza Navona is our next stop. It is late afternoon and hot. There are stalls selling art (not particularly good art) up and down the long plaza. The National Museum of Rome is a quiet haven for us behind the plaza. A beautiful building, with very few visitors, filled with more amazing statues and artworks. It is our last Roma card admission – we have done well with our cards, getting free transport around Rome, free admission to two sites, and half price to many others.


Packed into the number 87 bus – it would not be possible for one more person to squeeze on - we make it back to San Giovanni.

We have dinner at Pinocchios around the corner again. Our charming waiter – I think he is on speed he is so efficient – recommends we take the four course meal. As we eat (way too much food) I watch the other diners around us – this is obviously a very popular spot with the locals.

A big family arrive and more tables and chairs are set up on the pavement. There is extended kissy kissy greetings going on between several couples. An older man smoking a cigar is with an attractive younger woman who looks like a young Audrey Hepburn. He stubs out his cigar and they hop on his sleek scooter and head off into the night. I fantasise that he is a film director. I think I have had too much lemoncello!