In the end we decided to stay in Sorrento an additional night and catch the train from Sorrento to Pompei (1/2 hr, 2.1 euro each way). The ruins are impressive and the area large. What struck me most was how fundamentally not a lot has changed in 2000 odd years e.g. flats still rented, bread still made etc.

and there’s more … (Pompei)

Guess we have just got a bit more efficient at it. After about 2 hours we were ruined out and it was interesting as we left to notice the enthusiasm of those entering the site versus the ruined out look of those leaving.

The following day we headed for Rome. The campsite we are staying at is just inside the ring road and about 3km from the Vatican City.

On your marks …

The drive was relatively straight forward and the driving standards in Rome are the best we have encountered in Italy or maybe we are just getting used to the driving (we will certainly need to get the horn serviced when we return home!).

One thing we have missed since being away is an Indian so we figured in a city like Rome we should be able to find something. A quick internet search revealed the Monti area as the most likely location. This proved to be correct with 3 Indian restaurants in close proximity plus a few lively bars. We went for a drink first in the lively La Licita bar that also severed “free” tapas with your 5 Euro beer. We spent a bit of time pondering how to order drinks to maximise the free tapas (two drinks together or individually? Research needs to continue!). We then selected “Mother India” as our restaurant of choice and enjoyed a good curry, complete with rather dubious (risqué) paintings on the wall.

Modern art museum

As you would expect we have done all the standard sites e.g. Coliseum, Forum, Trevi fountain etc, etc. We purchased a Roma Pass (30 Euro each) which gives free entry to  2 sites plus unlimited use of buses, trams and metro for 3 days and fast track entry to sites. Generally the transport system operates well although we did get caught out when we went to the Planetarium which is right at the end of one of the metro lines. We sensed there was a problem as we made our way to the Planetarium with some delays on the metro, however when we came to make our way back the station and part of the line was closed so with our fluent(!) Italian we had to negotiate the replacement bus service. Being a Sunday the transport system operates a reduced service so we were keen to use the camp site shuttle bus as the quickest way back from the centre of town (once we got there!).  We made the last shuttle with seconds to spare along with everyone else and the driver with great gusto and pleasure enjoyed the task of squeezing the 50 plus people on to the mini bus licensed to carry 24 passengers. Sharon ended up perched on the dashboard and me in the footwell of the automatic door.

Communication breakdown

Our final day in Rome we spent just roaming around (no pun intended), and made a point of seeking out Circo Massimo and were rather disappointed to find it resembled a poorly maintained public car park. In the evening we headed across to the Travestere district which is more residential with lots of bars and restaurants and had a really relaxed feel about it, much more chilled than the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas.

Roma … the height of fashion

Sharon also succumbed to one of her passions and her handbag cupboard at home will now have slightly less space!

One of the pleasing things we have discovered about Italy is the availability of gluten free food in the supermarkets and restaurants, I guess with a diet that is so wheat based there is a need to cater for coeliacs. Whilst this doesn’t directly effect me it makes life far easier for Sharon and yesterday Sharon had her first ever pizza in a restaurant!

We have now reached 150 nights staying in our camper van since we got it which works out nearly 20% of the time!