- takes only just over 1.5 hours on the train compared to 3 hours driving (and we were not keen to try the traffic in Rome). Both Florence and Rome stations are quite busy but train departures were well advertised and it wasn't a problem to find your way.Arrived in Rome to a hot day and did a bit of a lap of the city on the Hop On/Hop Off bus 
(with the standard number of faulty connections that don't allow you to access the audio commentary!!) before getting off and exploring the Pantheon 
and the Trevi Fountain. 
There were so many people around it wasn't particularly enjoyable and I can see why the Trevi Fountain is a hot spot for pickpockets as a lot of people were crammed in. We were very cautious about our gear though and (at least as far as we know!) nothing has gone missing. We then found our way to our B&B which was situated on the fourth floor of an apartment building on a square just along from St Peters Bascillica.
(with the standard number of faulty connections that don't allow you to access the audio commentary!!) before getting off and exploring the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. There were so many people around it wasn't particularly enjoyable and I can see why the Trevi Fountain is a hot spot for pickpockets as a lot of people were crammed in. We were very cautious about our gear though and (at least as far as we know!) nothing has gone missing. We then found our way to our B&B which was situated on the fourth floor of an apartment building on a square just along from St Peters Bascillica.The photo is our view from the window!!! 
(and it was very nice to look at once it was lit up at night). 
We then went back out for a walk around the area (found where we had to meet our guide the next day, and walked along the river) 
During the day we came across several bridal parties (photos are all different groups) and they just mingled in with the general tourist traffic. Evidently Sunday is not an uncommon day for weddings in Italy but our host said that a lot of them are foreigners who choose to get married in Italy because it is cheaper than in their own country.
(and it was very nice to look at once it was lit up at night). We then went back out for a walk around the area (found where we had to meet our guide the next day, and walked along the river) During the day we came across several bridal parties (photos are all different groups) and they just mingled in with the general tourist traffic. Evidently Sunday is not an uncommon day for weddings in Italy but our host said that a lot of them are foreigners who choose to get married in Italy because it is cheaper than in their own country.
Day 2 - Monday (today)
Started the day with our Skip The Line Vatican Museum Tour (which had a line of about two blocks for people doing the same thing!) but despite the queues we got in reasonably quickly
. Our guide was very informative and the tour was worthwhile. Took about 3.5 hours and covered the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Bascillica. 
We opted not to visit the Crypt as we figured it was just going to be a lot more tombs of people we didn't really know. Instead we caught the bus again and went to the Colloseum and the Roman Forum which took about 2 hours to do. Again we joined a tour group in order to jump the queues (which at that stage were running at about 45 minutes wait) but only did half with the guide and the remainder on our own as we were running short of time. The number of tour groups going through these places is amazing and we have decided that they are not generally an asset. They tend to go quickly, congest areas so that you don't get a good view and some can be noisy and obstructive.
. Our guide was very informative and the tour was worthwhile. Took about 3.5 hours and covered the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Bascillica. We opted not to visit the Crypt as we figured it was just going to be a lot more tombs of people we didn't really know. Instead we caught the bus again and went to the Colloseum and the Roman Forum which took about 2 hours to do. Again we joined a tour group in order to jump the queues (which at that stage were running at about 45 minutes wait) but only did half with the guide and the remainder on our own as we were running short of time. The number of tour groups going through these places is amazing and we have decided that they are not generally an asset. They tend to go quickly, congest areas so that you don't get a good view and some can be noisy and obstructive. That took up most of our remaining time (and it was again very hot) so we walked back to Roma Termini station (about 30 minutes on a gentle uphill climb) and caught our train back to Florence. We walked back from the Florence station and took a few final photos on the way 
and by the time we got back to the hotel we were "done for the day".
and by the time we got back to the hotel we were "done for the day".Tomorrow we head out of Florence to Venice. Not sure what the weather prediction is for there but hoping it has dropped back from the earlier estimate of 38!
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