We start our second day in Rome with a light continental breakfast at our hotel prior to heading out to the Colosseum before the crowds start to gather. 

A quick train trip and we are there looking up through the arches at the rising morning sun. This structure is imposing when you think about its age and the height to which the builders have managed to raise huge stone blocks. 

From the outside you don’t really appreciate the size of the Colosseum or the sheer volume of bricks, columns and steps that have been created. 

We are in luck though as we have timed our arrival early enough that there is only a small queue and we are inside before too long. Entering the Colosseum is somewhat special. Having seen many photos of it you have an understanding of its use but this is a stadium like no other one I have been in. Even though there are continuing excavation and repair works throughout the complex, it is still something to behold.

By mid morning you are performing what is known as the Colosseum Shuffle where you can only take half steps due tot he volume of people. We decide its time to move on to the next piece of history in this area.

 

 

After the Colosseum we head to the Roman Forum which is an area littered with building ruins and the odd column or two. Again it strikes you how good the Romans were at their building techniques and the fact that they are still standing is a testament to their skills. We walk through the ruins and make our way up to Palatine Hill which provides a view of the whole area. 

 

 

We head off to lunch and plan the rest of the day. Our plans include a visit to the Spanish Steps, which you cannot sit on now as the police move you on very quickly, and the Trevi Fountain which is unfortunately under maintenance so has no water in it. So no photos for those two as they were not up to their usual standards. 

Later in the evening we head to the Pantheon which has an amazing domed roof made of 5 metre thick concrete, and Plaza Nevona before returning to an area just above the Roman Forum to watch the sunset across the Colosseum. It was a big day of walking for us covering just over 21Kms on a very warm day so dinner and drinks at a local restaurant Enoteca Antica was enjoyed before retiring for the evening. The food was amazing and traditional Italian fare.