Rome is an excellent place to visit and there really is lots to do. Saying that I really got stuck in and went to the Stato della citta' del Vaticano (Vatican City) with its Sistine Chapel and Basilica di San Pietro which is an enormously huge place - St Pauls Cathedral could sit inside it!! Then it was a superb walking tour of the city's monuments including the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatino, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps, just to name a few.

From Rome we headed north, stopping at a quaint little Umbrian town called 'Orvieto' for a few hours. It was a very beautiful little place situated on a cliff with stunning views. From there we lunchened in Siena before carrying on to Florence where we arrived mid-afternoon. In the evening a big group of us headed into the city for a sightseeing tour (including the Duomo and Pontes Vechio) before settling down to a proper 4-course Italian meal, followed by the obligatory gelato. Italian gelati (icecreams) are divine and I would recommend a visit to the gelaterie to anyone visiting the country!! :-)

The following day we journeyed onto Pisa and spent some time admiring the famous leaning tower and the gardens in which it is set (Place of Miracles). There are plenty of souvenir stores for anyone wishing to purchase their own little leaning tower (I didn't)!!

From there we ventured forth unto the Cote D'Azur / French Riviera. We were overnighting in Nice which gave me the opportunity for an evening excursion to Monaco. A very interesting experience. Did a bit of window shopping - saw a fur-lined leather jacket for a mere 5,000 Euros. I decided that on this occasion I would pass, but next time maybe I'll get a dozen!! ;-)

Intro | Berlin | Prague | Vienna | Munich | Venice | Italy to Monaco 2003 | Swiss | Rome4 | Assisi | Naples