Day 3

The Hotel Napoleon feels like an old, mediterranian hotel. Unfortunately, not all the windows are double glazed and as my room faced the main east coast railway line, it was noisy. I was awake early and choose to go for a walk. I had hoped to view the Arco di Augusto on the way back from San Marino, but the bus didn't stop.

On my return to the hotel, I checked out and had breakfast. Breakfast started at 7:30 and I had a train to catch at 8:03. It was an impressive spread on the breakfast table. There were cereals, cold meats, sliced cheese and lots of cakes. I tried to eat what I could in the time available. The train was on time.

I had decided to use regional train services through the Apennines. The first leg was along the Adriatic coast to Falconara. It was unsurprisingly 'touristy' until passing the oil refinery and offshore facilities there.

 We arrived six minutes late which left just just three minutes to make the connection.

We headed into the hills where I was hoping for some picturesque scenery. However, there does appear to be a lot of building work happening in Italy.

We arrived at Roma Termini a few minutes late, but I was expecting to be able to make my connection easily enough. We arrived outside the main area and I started to walk towards the main hall. It was further than I thought. By the time I reached the main platforms, I was walking briskly. When I saw that my departure platform was the other side of the main area, I sped up. By the time I reached it, I'd broken into a trot and was a minute late. Luckily, it was a couple of minutes late leaving. It was not long until we arrived at Roma S. Pietro and I made my way to platform one

At the end of this platform a footpath continues alongside what was the Vatican City's private line.

It now leads to the city walls from where you can make your way along to the Piazza del Sant'uffizio and through to the Piazza San Pietro within the Vatican City itself.

Yes, it had been raining and continued to do so on and off. Turning to my left, the Basilica itself was front and centre.

There had been a Papal Audience in the morning and people were still on their way out.

 I headed back into Italy along the Via della Conciliazione.

There were groups of people queuing on one side on their own pilgramages.

 

At the end of this street was the Castel Sant'Angelo and the Ponte Sant'Angelo over the River Tiber.

Once over the river, I headed for the Piazza Navona.

From there, I wound my way through some back streets to the impressive Pantheon.

Behind, in the Piazza della Minerva, is its own obelisk and view of the Pantheon's dome.

The ruins of historic Largo di Torre Argentina lie a few streets away.

 The Vittorio Emanuele II monument dominates the Piazza Venezia.

Behind it, lie the remains of the Roman Forum including the Arch of Septemus Severus,

the Temple of Saturn

 and various other basilicas and temples.

The Lupa Capitolina (depicting part of the Romulus and Remus story) was quiet until one of the umpteen guided tours turned up.

I then made my way over to the Traiano area. The Mercati are a conspicuous part of it. The rain started to get heavier whilst here. I took shelter under one of the pine trees. That offered protection initially, but the rain became heavier. There was no other shelter in the area. I was there for over 30 minutes and became very wet. I was looking at this view for some time.

When it started to rain, I could see the Colosseum in the distance. During the downpour, I couldn't. I had very few dry patches as I walked towards it. It seemed like the natural thing to do was walk around it.

Nearby is the Arch of Titus and the Temple of Venus and Rome.

 The Arch of Constantine is here too.

It was time to head in the direction of Roma Termini. I headed up past the Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli towards the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, where previous pope had been laid to rest.

I could see the station down one of the side streets from here. Time for a visit to a supermercato to get some refreshments for the next train journey. I also picked up a nice calzone from one of the station's snack bars. I caught the 18:25 Frecciarossa to Torino Porta Susa. We arrived on time at 23:08 and the Hotel Dock Milano was a short walk away.