Location: Civitavecchia to Rome, Italy
Summary: My Rome excursion started with a chaotic coach journey and a guide who made everything harder than it needed to be, but once we reached the city, the day turned around. A brilliant local guide took us through the Colosseum, Vatican, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain, mixing history with humour. After lunch and a full walking tour, I ended the day back on the Costa Toscana with good company, live music, and a much‑needed drink.
Journey to Rome: A Rocky Start
After breakfast, I disembarked on deck 3 of the Costa Tosacana and boarded a coach bound for Rome. Our onboard guide, though multilingual, struggled with clarity, often switching languages mid-sentence. A puzzling comfort break just 45 minutes into the journey caused delays, with five coachloads of tourists all queuing for a single toilet.
Rome Guided Tour Highlights
Upon arrival, we met our local guide, Michael, a knowledgeable and articulate host. He led us through the Rome portion of the tour, showcasing:
- The Colosseum.
- Circo Massimo.
- Castel Sant'Angelo.
- The Vatican and St. Peter’s Square.
Michael’s insights were occasionally interrupted by our onboard guide’s loud phone calls, which he eventually asked her to stop.
Souvenirs & Lunch in Rome
We had time to shop near Vatican Square, where I picked up a stylish hoodie for just €20. Lunch was served at a local restaurant I’d visited back in 2013 with my friend Paul Dunne. Despite being closed when Paul and I visited years ago, they still served us pizza and beer with genuine warmth and hospitality. This time, lunch featured a classic Spanish-style menu: pasta, chicken, dessert, and wine.
Walking Tour: Spanish Steps to Trevi Fountain
The second half of our tour included:
- Church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti.
- Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna.
- Fontana della Barcaccia.
- Piazza Navona.
- Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.
- Pantheon of Agrippa.
- Fontana di Trevi.
We ended near the Supreme Court of Cassation before returning to the ship.
While Michael earned a well-deserved tip, our onboard guide did not. Her disorganised approach, from faulty radios to missing pens, left much to be desired. I made sure to reflect this in the feedback app.
Evening Onboard
Back on the Costa Toscana, I enjoyed dinner with Susan, Brian, Linda, and Michael, then a live-music performance. I turned in around 23:30, after a few pain-killing cocktails, nursing a swollen leg.
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