Day 4 – Rome
Today saw an early start, with alarm waking us at 6.30am. Our tour was due to begin at 8.00am which gave us just enough time to grab some breakfast from Topsiders before heading to Rockin Bar D to meet our excursion group. We boarded our tours bus and were away by 8.10am ready for an hours drive (Italian time) in to the city. Although we did stop for a restroom break midway we had arrived in Rome by 9.30.
Our first stop, after a brief city tour from our tour guide, was the Colosseum. One of the 7 wonders of the world, the arena stands in the middle of the city and is very, very popular. Having booked a tour, we were able to skip the long lines and head straight in. We spent the next 90 minutes on a leisurely to of the building. If you have never been, you have to go!
After a brief walk away from the colosseum, we met up with our bus to be taken for an early lunch. The restaurant was a local cafe located by the Tiber river. Here we were treated to a three course meal of pasta, beef and Tiramasu.
The final part of our day took us to the smallest country in the world, the Vatican City. Our tour would take in the Vatican museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basillica.
The tour began with highlights of the vast museum. With 5 miles of art filled corridors, we took an hour to look at a very small amount. Next saw use enter the Sistine Chapel. This immense building is covered from head to toe with paintings. To put it plainly, Spaceship Earth does not do it justice!
The final stop took us inside St Peter’s Basilica. This is the world’s largest church built on the site of St Peter’s tomb. We spent 40 minutes inside looking at murals, mosaics and statues. Exiting the church we moved into the massive St Peter’s Square. It was here we were given some free tome to shop. We bought ice cream (again!)
The journey back to the ship took just over an hour, just enough time to get back for the Med itinerary special show “The Art of the Story”. It was entertaining and worth seeing but only if you have time.
Next up was time for dinner and this evening we were to eat at Animator’s Palette for the ships show dinner. I won’t give too much away for those who haven’t eaten there but the evening ends with a visit from Sorcerer Mickey.
There was an extra treat this evening. 5 members of the Disney Magic Performance cast put on “Once Upon a Song”, a concert style show through movie songs old and new. It was well worth staying up for.
That ended the night and a very long day. Tomorrow brings a new day and a visit to the port of Naples.