On our last full day in Rome, we visited probably one of the other biggest attractions in the Eternal City: The Colosseum. Also, since the combined ticket was a bargain, we visited the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. We were sick and it was a hot day but despite this, I think we still managed to enjoy these ancient marvels.

We started off in the Roman Forum, wondering round and exploring the ruins of what used to be a major meeting point for the Romans, where business used to be conducted, and people would gather for important events. A lot of the buildings that used to make it up no longer remain, all that’s left being the odd column, plinths, and bits of rubble here and there. Indeed, the site lies below the level of modern Rome as a result of the buildings having been dismantled, used to dump goods, burying the site before it was excavated. But you can still tell the place was massive, and would have been heaving with people, the noise no doubt loud.

One structure that is well known is the Temple of Saturn. This building is often photographed to represent the ruins and history of Rome and there’s no wonder why. Its an impressive facade, the remains of a temple that was deemed important enough to be rebuilt several times by the Romans. As the god of wealth, it once held the gold and silver reserves apparently so no wonder a grand building was built for it.

There was also the garden of the Vestal Virgins. These girls were important to Roman society, taking part in important rituals, but only if they took a vow of chastity. This area was where they lived, and studied, the structures that are still marked all that remains of what used to be their home.

We next headed up the Palatine Hill, the place where ancient Rome was apparently founded as it was the home of Remus and Romulus, the wolf-children. Here, a palace lies, carved into the hill and over it. Unfortunately when we were there, there were not many parts that were accessible inside which would have been lovely considering how hot it was and how little shade there was. However, when we got to the top, the view was amazing.

The view across the whole Roman Forum and out across the city was breathtaking. It was yet another perspective hill up from which to experience the city and well worth the heat and combating the illness.

From the top then, we decided it was time to visit the Colosseum, which I can say was quite some relief as a far bit of it was shaded which was enjoyable. I have to say though the Colosseum is an impressive structure, one that wowed me when I saw it. It’s massive and when you consider when it was built, the number of people it had, the structure underneath the arena to hold the animals and gladiators, and the roof structure that used to be but no longer it, its breathtaking and not something that would be built as easily these days if I’m honest.

Unfortunately, in order to go down to the lower levels, or to the third level, you need to prebook the tour several months in advance which we didn’t do which was a shame, but is something we’ll have to do next time. I have to say though the parts we could see were brilliant examples of what the Romans designed and built all those years ago, and the beauty with which they designed these things. This included parts of the marble that were used to pave the walkways of the lower levels where the rich and famous would have sat.

Luckily we weren’t there the next day when the workers went on strike for the morning. That would have been horrible waiting in line in the heat and possibly having no idea what was going on.

Indeed, on this day we travelled out towards the airport so that we were able to catch an early train to the airport for our flight to Munich without having to wake up at like 3am. It was on this trip that we encountered the gypsies, trying to get our tickets under the guise of trying to help to validate the ticket but probably more likely to steal it. It was annoying, more so when you are sick but it was something that I guess you just have to deal with.

The apartment out by the airport was gorgeous, a real place of luxury and just what we needed. They even showed us how to make Italian coffee properly before they left. We didn’t do much else that day, just relax and tried not to cough up my lungs. Alas, it was sad, to be leaving Rome and to head to the last city on our trip, our last stop: Munich.